I'm all about riding safety -- ready with the helmet, bucking strap, and all of the standard safety practices. But if you can be safe AND stylish, why wouldn't you? I know people that trail ride wearing getup like the vest shown left. Good for them, safety first.
That said, there is a company that makes stylish and innovative Hi Visability safety gear for equestrians and their horses. Proviz Sports helps riders and horses to stand out on the trail, in the pasture, or on the road, or wherever. They have an online shop (http://www.provizsports.com/) and a whole section of hi viz horse and rider wear. All of the products featured online can be shipped to anywhere in the States (delivery should usually take between 7-10 working days).
So... Get ready for a giveaway, from ProvizSports. In the meantime, what hi viz item do you like?
Monday, March 31, 2014
Proviz Sports: Get ready for a giveaway!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Ariat Performers and hint at a giveaway!
At the last Horseman's Outlet (NJ) sale I bought new Ariat Performer color block breeches that I just adore -- the contrasting seat color is different enough to be fun without making my backside look needlessly large :-) and they feel more like a $300 breech than the $300 breeches I have tried on! Very stretchy but lots of structure and a forgiving fabric. The photos are a little dark as photographer Bob Smith warned but it is what it is. The color is a rich indigo, not exactly navy but not too bright. And coming soon -- an Ariat Giveaway valued at over $80!!!!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Etsy Woven Browbands: Gotta be Foolin' April 1 sale
Here are some of the price reductions:
Friday, March 28, 2014
Side by Side: Rodrigo Pessoa VS. Jessica Springsteen
Interesting to see where time is gained and lost in this jump-off...
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Tina Konyot & Calecto V Freestyle
I have seen this pair at Gladstone -- this may be a great test, but it is not the best I've seen them together. The year I saw them was truly magical. Maybe it's unfair to compare...
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
"Chelsea" Riding Boots from Old Navy, now in brown -- $11.49
I got mine at the Center Valley Promenade Shops in Lehigh Valley, PA. Butter soft.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Cavalor feed: Trying it out
I have been buying a bag or so of Cavalor feed for Harvey - he loves the feed! It's available at our local Agway. If you look at it, it looks like it would be delicious. We may start Ri on a tiny bit of the Fiber Force as well.
Labels: Riley
Monday, March 24, 2014
Caroline Roffman & Her Highness Freestyle in Wellington
Note hot pink accents. In case someone has not seen:
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Equestrian fashion show: "Crystals are conservative"
My favorite comment of the night...
"Crystals are conservative."
You heard it here!
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8Q_x9NtlnU/UyurBNao6NI/AAAAAAAADr8/lKuYTMFUT_E/w860-h484-no/20140320_192904.jpg)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
"Happy Cows" will make you smile
Probably many of you on Facebook have seen this video. How many times have you been asked "Does your horse has any personality, like dogs have?" Aaargh!
Both my horses are expressive, personable, and attention seeking in the tradition of doted-on spoiled, pets :-) They communicate! Not all horses are like this -- some are quieter and more distant -- they may seem dull. I think it is because they don't expect much (good) from humans or have never been rewarded for interacting with them. They learn to ignore us.
What I love about this video is that I think it shows us all that all animals have capacity for joy. When I see these cows I am reminded that all animals deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. I just love watching these cows and hearing their story...
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Do you need a reminder that spring is coming? Here ya go!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Two Horse Tack Giveaway! English bridle of your choice!
I have direct experience with their products, and Riley is rocking his brown biothane halter right now! See my other blog article about Two Horse Tack.
Two Horse Tack makes its bridles from beta biothane, and there are many options for colors and styles.
TO ENTER
To enter, go to this web site form and provide your information. You get a $5 promo code just for entering.
Two horse tack offers a wide range of bridles, harnesses, halters, and accessories. Check out their full line of offerings.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Quarter horse in 2014 USDF Region 1 clinic!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Rah Rah for Rolex: #9 is Pony Club!
Pony Club Games (another other events)
The Pony Club mounted games, the Young Event Horse demo, the Friesian driving and riding exhibits, and the mounted police presentation offer fund and educational breaks from the high level competition. Bob loves watching the Pony Club mounted games. He may not remember who won Rolex, he remembers that the Tootsie Pops edged out the Hyperactives in 2013.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Bob update: Doin' pretty good
I think the cats are fond of me -- but, as you can see in the photos below, they adore Bob.
Bob is doing well. His bloodwork is good, the Interferon G is helping, and the Neurontin is reducing the itch. The one drawback that we think/hope is related to the chemo is that he is losing his hair -- it is a side effect, and perhaps reversible, but still slightly alarming. Bob is not too concerned. I'm sorry.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Mustang Tooka Chance Dressage ride by Matt Trynoski, Beginner Novice , 2...
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Why don't I ride like Ula Salzgeber???
Ula Salzgeber is my idol. Look at that position! She is tall, she has a lot of leg and upper body, but look at her! Effortless.
So why don't I ride like her?
Recently someone took candid photos of my workplace. I did not know anyone was taking pix.
This is why I do not ride like US, or anyone else. Apparently my posture has been bad for so long, my spine has just given up.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Insulated buckete update: They work, with a suggested modification
Remember my insulated bucket test? I blogged about it and promised to do an update. This is the update -- too bad the season is almost over!
The bubble-wrap bucket works great. I have this bucket and another bucket fitted with a bucket cozy, which cost $40. The insulation properties are comparable, especially considering the bubble wrap bucket has no "topper." But to give my bubblewrap bucket a fair playing field, I cut a piece of cardboard to fit the top 2/3 of the bucket, wrapped it with bubble wrap and duct tape, and voila -- identical performance. I use the topper when it is under 20 degrees at night.
Another strategy
I like to help with Harv's care when I can, and I usually fill water buckets while the horses are out. On days that are super cold, this does not work so well (water freezes). Then I started filling his buckets with hot water, then covering the buckets with a stadium seat cushion to keep them warm. This works great, and the buckets are still steaming hot when Harv comes in 3-5 hours later.
The cozy has some advantages -- like you can use it on different buckets. But the bubble buckets are easy-peasy -- easy to handle, easy to clean, lightweight, and of course, cheap.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Rah Rah for Rolex #10: The Thoroughbreds for all event
Thoroughbreds For All Kentucky
Retired Racehorse Training Project
Friday, April 25, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (EDT)
Lexington, KY
Monday, March 10, 2014
Browbands: easier said than done
My browband experiment has concluded. After searching for unique browbands online I had decided I really need to make my own. I wanted to do an orange browband, a millefiori browband, and a white/pink browband for horse shows.
Supplies
I got my empty browbands from delfinasaddlery.com and Ebay, using instructions that Delfina provides gratis. Delfina's browbands are quite nice, in a variety of colors and sizes. I got full size black in the curved style, and some 8mm beads and 3mm spacers from Etsy.com.
Craft marathon
I did the browband in one sitting on Saturday night. I made some mistakes, both in the selection of spacers and in the construction of the browband. But, I like it for all of its flaws!
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I LOVE the beads!!!! And I like the spacers. |
If you think that there is something magical about the empty channel browbands that makes it easier to work with hard leather, think again. I bent three leather needles and impaled my fingers twice. I was not 100% happy with the instructions from Delfina, but I'm not especially crafty. An experienced craftsperson would probably do fine.
I will make more, but need to give my hands a rest!
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I think it looks good from the standard distance most people will see your horse |
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The spacers have very big holes, and they were not terribly stable in the strand. The instructions said to use an extra bead to accommodate the curvature. This caused the beads to "jam" in places. |
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Jamming continued. Plus I tried to follow the "finishing" instructions and did not succeed. Notice the beadwork angles up at the end? It's partly the jammed beads, but also improper finishing. |
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Harvey: 27 years, bah!
27 years and 51 degrees! The day we celebrated Harv's birthday was almost hot, and he was sleepy. He
did consent to a few photos...
Saturday, March 8, 2014
26 Sohn der Sonne | Sir Donnerhall I - Sion - Pik Bube I
Friday, March 7, 2014
More sitting trot
Many moons ago, riding the Harvster |
http://www.horsenation.com/2012/04/2...-sitting-trot/
http://www.horsenation.com/2012/05/0...-trot-part-ii/
http://www.horsenation.com/2012/05/0...trot-part-iii/
Rah Rah for Rolex: Reason #11 to go to Rolex
Reason #11 is Dressage
While the horses in eventing are increasingly bred for all three phases of the sport, the Rolex dressage tests are performed by horses not necessarily bred or built to do dressage work. You won’t see Totilas out there, but there are lovely rides.You’ll walk away with an appreciation for what these riders achieve in the ring. And every year, at least one horse shows his or her disdain for the whole “enter at C” thing--this can be entertaining in a whole ‘nuther way.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Browband sale: My favorite Etsy store has a birthday sale
THE SALE IS FRIDAY MARCH 7 ONLY! Dolly items in a special section, called "Dolly's Birthday Sale", and then add a percent coupon off on everything, good for the day. The coupon would apply to all the sale items too, making them even less expensive.
They look delicate but they are very sturdy, washable, and even more impressive in "real life"!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
The Harvster turns 27!
Harv enjoys a molasses ball. |
We will be celebrating Harv's birthday on Saturday. I'll likely scale back this year on the carrot cake. Only four horses/boarders at Harv's barn, and Riley's barn is a crew of "healthy eaters."
I wanted to point out Harv's birthday gift -- a "head bumper" at the top of his stall. I ordered from an athletic manufacturer -- not expensive and doing the job of protecting his noggin!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
DIY Beaded browband: Can a non-crafty person do this?
The browband, however, is motivating. If this works I can make cool browbands for less than $50 (far less!).
I'll let you know what happens.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Advice to horse show spectators: Audio awareness!
Two things to keep in mind while the ringside banter is going on:
- Someone may be videotaping. Out of courtesy, and to avoid embarrassment, remember that videotaping is also audiotaping. You don't want casual comments on the ride, on your boyfriend, on your finances, whatever, captured for eternity and possibly posted to Youtube.
- If you are commenting on a ride, remember that friends and family may be nearby. Zip it.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
I am Bob's liver
That's what blood tests appear to show (we're awaiting confirmation from the doctor). So that's good news! For the time being he can stay on the Interferon A that is helping his skin. His white blood cell count is a little low, but overall his bloodwork look a whole lot better.
Better than mine, ironically.
I've been anemic since I can remember, and my test results show cell count highs and lows all over the map.
Oh -- Bob wants to mention that I was originally going to show an image of his brain, but it was too enormous to fit on the page.
Ha Ha Ha...