If My Horse Wrote His Letter to Santa…

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a very good horse this year. I’ve won blue ribbons, I’ve played well with my friends – I didn’t even ruin the Chestnut’s halter this year! I loaded on and off the trailer quietly and only pooped in my water bucket a FEW times. I think I am very deserving of the items I have mentioned below.

A new Weatherbeeta Turnout would be great. My current blanket has a few rips in tears from the Paint horse down the aisle. He is probably on your naughty list.

This leather halter from Thinline is pretty fancy. Mine broke at a horse show this summer, when I may have mistaken the hose in the wash-rack for a snake.

I would love a new pair of front boots. Word in the field is that the Carbon Gel Open Fronts from Veredus are extra comfortable and supportive!

I’m a Gray, and I tend to stain easily. But I have to tell you, the EquiFUSE Shampoo scrubs the dirt stains right out. I look fabulous and smell GREAT! Santa, I would even ask you to drop a container of this off at all of the stalls in our barn. My friends could benefit too!

It gets cold here in Western Pennsylvania, and my mom gave me a really funny haircut. She told me it will help me cool out faster after we ride and keep me looking presentable at horse shows this winter. I’ve seen some of my pasture-mates wear quarter sheets to the arena when they head for their daily workout. I really like this fancy striped one from Horsewear!

And last, but not least, I can always use more treats! I’ll even share!

I can’t wait to see you here in a few weeks! I will leave some extra carrots for your reindeer!

Sincerely,
The Gray in stall 3!

Dear Santa, I’ve Been Good This Year

The holiday season is upon us. As much as I wished 2014 would hold its horses (pun intended), we are finishing up the year… And Christmas will be here before I know it.

If you still haven’t started your holiday shopping, or yet made your Christmas list, here are some of my top picks for the equestrian in 2014!

Noble Outfitters On the Bit Bracelet – love it! It’s fashionable with that hint of, “why yes, I do ride horses.” Perfect stocking stuffer!

While we are on the topic of stocking stuffers, put this on your list, or pick one up for your favorite equestrian/wine connoisseur – Noble Outfitters Wine Down Hoof Pick Kit! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stuck at a horse show with a bottle of wine and no way to open it! Problem solved with this gift!

I have a thing for long, down coats, and this one for sure made my Christmas list – Mountain Horse Belvedere Coat. The fur hood is just an added bonus!

Tredstep Symphony Argenta Knee Patch Breech – have you seen the video for the Tredstep breeches? EVERY horse owner needs a pair of these! Honestly, watch the video – they sell themselves!

Ariat Womens Kenna H20 Leather Boot – A wonderful casual boot. One of my favorites from Ariat this season!

The Horze Chione Knitted Headband would go great with the Mountain Horse Coat! Plus, it would be another perfect stocking stuffer!

I wear knee socks year round to ride, but the Kerrits Bit of Wool Sock, is PERFECT for cooler months.

For casual wear or to ride, the Goode Rider Polo Sweater should make its way under your tree. The Italian wool is amazing!

Lastly, an equestrian’s Christmas wouldn’t be complete without this year’s Breyer ornament! Be sure to grab one of those!

Click here for part two of our holiday gift blog series – what should make your horse’s Christmas list!

The Carousel Horse would like to wish all of our friends Happy Holidays!

The Year of the Horse

I’ve never been one for New Year’s Resolutions. I think about it… eat healthier, exercise more, volunteer frequently, but it always seems like life gets in the way – and the next thing I know, it’s December 31, and I surely haven’t “resolved” anything.

But looking to 2014 – The Year of the Horse, I thought to myself, “there are certainly things I can do to better myself as a ‘horse person,’” as even trips to the barn have become rushed or pushed off.

This year I will:

1. Dedicate at least one half-day a week to ‘barn time.’ No kids, no spouses, no work, no drama. Me and my horse. I have felt this way since I was a little girl, and there is no place I would rather be than at the barn. I NEED to make this happen – it’s therapeutic.
2. Make the most out of each riding lesson. I will challenge myself with new horses, harder courses, stronger exercises. You get out what you put in, and that is that!
3. Read one educational article on horsemanship each month, and apply what I have learned. We all crave that ‘ah-ha’ moment. Sometimes that comes in written form. Horsemanship is one of those things where you will never stop learning, so I might as well help myself learn.
4. Enroll myself in a clinic. A fresh set of eyes on my horse, and me as a rider, may be just what I need. I like to soak up new teaching styles, and I suppose as we grow as riders, it’s only natural to want to get new, fresh feedback.
5. Clean my tack regularly. Ugh. Such a dreaded task, but we all know it needs done (and I love the smell of leather cleaner). It’s just time-consuming. Maybe I will lump this in with #1.
6. Clean house. Over the years I have accumulated saddles, bridles, halters, brushes… more storage bins and trunks are filled with old tack than I know what to do with. I shall donate them to a lesson program or camp. They aren’t broken, just unused, and can absolutely be repurposed.
7. Take advantage of the opportunities given to me. When the time comes, I will make time to attend horse shows, expos and clinics. No more excuses.
8. Learn how to drive the horse trailer. Who wants to teach me? Any takers?
9. Attend a horse show just to watch – not ride. I can’t remember the last time I was on a show grounds and wasn’t running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get to this ring or that ring, or tack up this horse, or bathe that one. Sometimes, it’s just nice to watch.
10. Make a bran mash – just because. You know, in all my years around horses, I have never made a bran mash? In this cold weather, I have seen photos and recipes of such fun and delicious-looking ones. Ponies deserve bran mash. And I deserve to learn how to make it.

And although this looks wonderful on paper at the moment, I really hope I can stick to this list – it is, after all, the Year of the Horse!