My Current Favorites | Early 2018

If there’s one thing I love, it’s trying out new tack and horse-related products. I don’t usually get to splurge on high-end horse products very often due to my unfortunate limited bank account, but when I do get the chance, I go for the stuff I’ve been drooling over for a long time. If you’re looking for your next splurge-worthy list of items, look no further for I have made a list of my current favs!

Galloping Graphics

The search is over – Galloping Graphics is your one-stop shop for everything custom. Not only did Elizabeth do an AMAZING job with my new logo, but her shop carries some great items such as custom stickers, mugs, t-shirts, and beautiful custom graphics. I can’t put into words how much I love my new logo and the items in her shop! They are truly unique!

SmartPak Air + Neoprene Girth

If there is something that I couldn’t live without, it would be this girth. I have one for both of my guys and won’t use anything else as an everyday girth. In fact, Diablo has had used his every day since I got it in 2016. They are so easy to clean with the removable neoprene lining, and both ponies seem to think they are pretty comfortable.

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve

I’m a little obsessed with The Herbal Horse’s products now that I have been using them for the past few weeks. However, their Healthy Hair salve really stood out to me due to its luxurious smell and the results I have had with it.

CWD French Noseband Bridle

This honestly has to be my favorite item that I have ever purchased off of eBay. I got lucky and snagged this gem for $200 – it retails for $500 brand new on CWD’s website. The best part is that it only had five rides on it when I purchased it! It has now become a part of Diesel’s show wardrobe and looks fabulous on him! Plus, the leather is so soft and supple that it feels like butter in your hands. I was really surprised that I actually liked the more narrow noseband as I gravitate towards wider noseband bridles. However, the noseband on this one really shows off Diesel’s features.

 

Saucy Piaffe Ergonomic Fancy Stitched Halter

I definitely splurged a lot on this purchase even though I snagged it while on sale. I have to say, it was definitely worth it though as the halter is just beautiful! Saucy Piaffe is so great that I have been a repeat customer of their’s for quite some time. All of their products are great!

Back On Track Quick Wraps

As a standing wrap girl, I told myself that I would never own a pair of these. But alas, the temptation was too strong after the baby horse decided that taking standing wraps off is fun. They are definitely pricey, but the ease of putting these on and taking them off makes it worth it.

D sporting his brother’s BOT Quick Wraps

Dy’On Rubber Working Reins

I ended up buying these reins spur of the moment off of a Facebook group when I found them for a price I just couldn’t pass up on! These reins are usually pretty pricey, but I managed to snag them brand new for $40. They have flat buffalo leather fronts, which I have found makes them super durable. Plus, the rubber portion of the reins is probably the grippiest rubber I have ever felt on a pair of reins.

 

Back On Track Back Pad

This is one of several BOT products that have made my list. As it turns out, I am an avid fan of BOT. In fact, I own several of their products and use them all the time. I bought BOT’s back pad on a whim for $30 from a Facebook group in an effort to try and avoid forking out the money for one of their coveted mesh sheets. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like the pad, but it has quickly become a staple in Diablo’s warm-up routine.

Ogilvy Baby Pads

This is probably no surprise to anyone. I’m a saddle pad hoarder with an affinity for anything that is customizable.

 

 

 

SmartPak Blanket and Sheet Review

Who doesn’t love SmartPak? Their outstanding customer service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, fast shipping, and convenient supplement system makes them extremely popular in the equestrian community. After all, who doesn’t love a company that takes care of their customers?

My journey with SmartPak began in 2011 when I purchased my first month of supplements for Diablo. Let’s just say that it was love at first sight. Ever since that day, I have been an avid SmartPak user. In fact, both of my horses receive SmartPak supplements every month like clockwork and a SmartPak box can be found at my front door almost every other week. However, this post isn’t going to be about their supplements or other products, even though I think they’re awesome. I’m here to write about their line of blankets and sheets. After all, I do have a slight addiction to blanket shopping.

SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet

I took the plunge into SmartPak’s blanket and sheet line this past November when I purchased their high neck turnout sheet for Diablo to expand his wardrobe in preparation for clipping season. I wasn’t ready to break the bank on a sheet when I had to buy a full, new wardrobe for Diablo’s baby brother. The SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet caught my eye while I was browsing the site and before I knew it, it was being shipped to my house.

D sporting his SmartPak Sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

Fit: The sheet itself looks absolutely stunning on the horse and fits true to size in my opinion. The shoulder of the blanket is just wide enough with the cut that it allows the horse to have a full range of motion while staying snug against the body to prevent frequent snagging. If you have a horse with wide shoulders, this sheet could be the one for you – I haven’t experienced any rubs or slippage even though Diablo has wider shoulders. The material that it is made of seems to be very durable as it is made of 1200D rip-stop material. It’s high neck design also keeps Diablo dry, even in the pouring rain, and does not rub his withers like other blankets tend to do. The waterproofing of the sheet is top-notch, and he always comes in dry and warm. The stitching also seems to be quite durable and sturdy, which as we know, is getting to be pretty rare nowadays. I ordered my sheet with a red monogram on the left flank, and it looks very nice on Diablo’s black sheet.

Hardware: It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the closures on Amigo’s Wug blankets. However, I feel that the hardware on the entire blanket is sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear while also making putting the sheet on a breeze. The quick-clip closures on the front of the sheet are relatively easy to snap in cold weather, and I haven’t had any problem with any of the snaps sticking or the straps lengthening during use.

Warranty: The deluxe sheet is covered by SmatPak’s 100% Happiness Guarantee. Despite what many people think, only the ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty.

Price: $136.76 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – If this sheet was also covered under the 10-year warranty, I would give it a 10/10! Overall, the sheet is absolutely amazing for the price and value. I will definitely be purchasing one for Dies.

D sporting his SmartPak sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

SmartPak Ultimate High Neck Turnout Blanket

I managed to snag this blanket on clearance for a whopping $90 during SmartPak’s end-of-the-year sale! How could I possibly pass up on such a great deal? It has quickly become Diesel’s main blanket since his Amigo Hero has taken quite a beating. It’s no secret that young, rambunctious horses can give their blankets a run for their money. Sadly, the Amigo Hero blanket that I bought him a month ago has been torn seven times in the last month and is currently being repaired in hopes that it may last the rest of the season. Let’s just say that 600D is not strong enough to withstand the tornado that is a baby horse – lesson learned.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78

Fit: Since I bought this blanket when it was on clearance, I was limited to purchasing a size 78. I originally thought that it would be too big on Diesel as he normally wears a 75 in Amigo blankets, so I was expecting it to just become a spare to switch between both of my boys. However, the 78 fit Diesel quite well. That leads me to believe that this style runs a little on the smaller side. However, the sizing doesn’t seem to affect the shoulder area of the blanket as the cut still allows the horse to move without causing shoulder rubs and seems to provide enough give to keep the horse’s movement from being hindered. Plus, the high neck is wonderful for keeping the horse dry while grazing in the rain – Diesel has come in dry after each wear. It also is a plus that the high neck relieves wither pressure. Like the sheet, the stitching and binding seem to be very sturdy and is done very neatly. I saw some reviews on the website where people have had problems with the stitching unraveling, but I haven’t had a problem with that so far. Also, the entire blanket is very well made and seems to be extremely durable with 1050D fabric. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will hold up to Diesel’s antics. Last but not least, the color I received, midnight blue, is absolutely stunning. However, it seems that they no longer have that color available, which is a huge bummer. 

Hardware: The hardware is the exact same as the sheet above with the quick-clip closures on the front. Like the sheet, I haven’t had any problems with any of the snaps sticking or becoming jammed or the surcingles lengthening over time. They seem to be holding up so far.

Warranty: All of SmartPak’s ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty unless you get embroidery on anywhere other than the surcingles, which is a complete bummer. I was extremely disappointed to find out that I couldn’t get it monogrammed without voiding the warranty. Despite that, the promise of a 10-year warranty on a blanket worn by a young, rambunctious horse is just too good to pass up. If you have a blanket destroyer or just a young horse, I definitely recommend you purchase it! Their customer service is awesome, so exchanging it is a breeze.

Price: $179.59 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – Overall, I would say that the blanket is a definite competitor in the blanket market. Its quality is up there with Amigo blankets, but the 10-year warranty just puts it over the top! If you are looking for a nice, sturdy blanket, this is the one for you! I will definitely purchase it again in the future, and I will be buying several more ultimate sheets and blankets to complete Diesel’s wardrobe. I only docked a point because it doesn’t seem to fit true to size.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78 – too cute not to post!

The overall verdict: SmartPak knocks it out of the park again! Both the sheet and the blanket have exceeded my expectations so far, and they are both holding on strong. I definitely recommend that you give their blanket line a chance! After all, who could beat owning a blanket with a 10-year warranty? SmartPak, keep up the good work!

Saturday Fun

Since I am a full-time student and work part-time at a vet clinic, I haven’t been able to make the hour-long drive to see Diesel very often. However, when I do get to make the trip, it is always the absolute highlight of my week! Today was no exception!

I headed straight to the farm after I got off of work today to watch my trainer school baby Dies and swap out his blankets. His Amigo turnout took quite the beating this past month, so it is on its way to get repaired. He somehow managed to put several rips in it even though it is only two months old. Boys will be boys. Since he ripped his own blanket, he is currently outfitted in his brother’s SmartPak Ultimate High Neck Turnout that I managed to snag for $80 during their year-end sale. It’s about a size too big for Dies, but it’ll do for now. You just can’t beat SmartPak’s 10-year warranty – especially when you have a young rambunctious gelding! All of his blankets from here on out will be from SmartPak.

It was a busy day at the farm today with construction going on around the arena and the spreader trucks visiting. Not to mention, the cows that live beside the barn were extremely vocal! With all of this commotion going on, I was a bit anxious to see how Diesel was going to behave. After all, I couldn’t blame him if he was wild!

However, baby Dies was on his best behavior this afternoon! We tacked him up and took him up to the arena to take a look at the scary spreader trucks, and he stood like a rock the entire time they were there. That is a huge deal for him as he is such a scaredy cat by nature. After about ten minutes, he even lost interest in them and decided that checking my pockets for treats was a much better use of his time.

Speaking of treats, Diesel absolutely loves Stud Muffins – especially the peppermint ones! If you want to try them out, they are on sale on SmartPak right now!

Dies decided to show off for me – he was absolutely fabulous for my trainer today under saddle! He trotted and cantered around so much more relaxed than the last time I watched him school at home – even with all of the commotion going on. He is beginning to understand how to support himself and not rely on the rider’s hands to hold him up. He still has a lot of room for improvement, but I am just so pleased to see him actively learning. There is still a lot of work to do with his changes as we are still working on getting him to change every time when asked. He has great, easy changes, but he loves to be stubborn and act like he doesn’t know what you are talking about. Geldings, haha! He was also an absolute star over fences! His jumping is getting better each time I see him, and he is getting more comfortable with not-so-perfect distances. He looks so much more confident! I am just over the moon with how great he is coming along! I couldn’t ask him to be any more fabulous than he was today.

Watching him on days like today reminds me of how much I miss riding him! He is such a fun guy to ride. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not the only rider that is not confident 100% of the time, and it is ok to be afraid sometimes. While he is gaining confidence, I am gaining it too. I am hoping that I will be back in the saddle in the next few weeks – I can’t wait!

Adventures Of Baby Dies: Second Show

If you know me, you know that I am definitely NOT a morning person. There’s only one explanation as to why I was up before sunrise yesterday morning – it was horse show day for baby Dies!

We started off this new year by attending a small schooling show hosted by UGA’s IHSA team. It was super low key, which was great for building Dies’s confidence up. Like many young horses, he has a tendency to become a spooky mess when introduced to new situations. The nervousness has been improving over the last few months as we continue to expose him to new places, and it has been so rewarding to see how his confidence has improved with each new place he has visited.

In addition to improving his confidence with new experiences, I decided to try Diesel on SmartPak’s SmartCalm Ultra and U-Guard starting a month ago to see if that would help him to overcome his spookiness at home and away and make him more comfortable. He is a sensitive guy that tends to worry, so I was concerned that ulcers could become a problem – especially now that he is traveling more. I want to give him the best care that I possibly can. Yesterday was the real test to see if they were making any difference in his demeanor.

Dies made the journey here to Athens with two pony buddies in tow. It was quite a sight to see 16.1 hand Diesel beside his new tiny pony friends. He didn’t seem to mind the height difference haha! I hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks since I have been back in school, so I was so happy to see his squishy little face!

Right after he walked off the trailer, I tacked him up and took him up to the ring to look around and explore. To my surprise, he was so calm and composed even with the “scary” new jump decor and loud shooting noises from next door. He was more concerned with begging for pets and all of my attention. He is such an attention hog. This was the calmest I have ever seen him both out and at home.

When you have seasoned show horses, you can sometimes take for granted the small things like being able to stand beside the arena without worrying about your horse every second. This was the first time since I have owned Dies that he stood quietly and relaxed. He is such a sensitive guy that he is always on high alert – even at home. However, yesterday he was relaxed enough to calmly graze by the arena – this was a first! I got pretty emotional as I was standing there with him because it was the first time that I was able to let my guard down at all with him and enjoy just being with my horse. I was so proud of him.

 

Warming up!

Warming up!

Warming up!

Warming up!

I’m sorry for the sub-par pictures, but they are all screenshots from videos. Hopefully, I will get some better pictures in the next few days. He was such a good boy for my trainer during the whole show! We entered him in the 2′ division again, and he didn’t blink an eye at any of the jumps and behaved so well. I honestly couldn’t have asked him to behave any better. There are many things that we have to work on in his training, but this show was all about building his confidence! If we can get him more comfortable in new situations, everything else will come. His biggest hurdle is his own anxiety.

He ended up winning both of his flat classes and came out with a second in his last over fences class. I was thrilled! There are definitely a lot of things to work on, but I couldn’t have asked him to be any more well behaved in a new place with a new rider. He was such a good nugget! If the weather cooperates, his next outing will be on February 10th. I can’t wait!