My Equine Life Partner

By: Maggie Carty

It is safe to say that every horse or pony in the world deserves to be loved by a little girl at least once in his or her life. If they are extremely lucky, the little girl gets to grow with them and be their life partner.

I caught the “horse bug” when I was about three or four years old, had some lessons with a few different instructors, but eventually ended up where I started first. I rode the lesson horses but decided that I wanted to be serious about riding, so my trainer brought me my four-year-old little paint horse. She knew we would have a great partnership much before I did. Paige and I could not have met at a more perfect time. I was 12 and I had enough riding experience to “finish” her with the help of my trainer, but we were both “green” enough that we still had some adventures to learn from down the road. From middle school through college I had a best friend to help me along the way.

Paige and I moved from 18-inch cross-rails to reserve champion in 3’ equitation and schooling comfortably 3’6 courses. I am so thankful that I am able to share my life with someone who has been able to teach me so much.

In addition to riding Paige for much of the last ten years, I also am fortunate enough to ride within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Riding horses other than Paige has taught me to appreciate what I have in front of me, but has also helped me improve when we head into the show ring.  I love riding IHSA because it gives me the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals while still getting to show on a higher level.  I love that the IHSA has an individual and team riding aspect. We work together to encourage each other toward team points but when it comes down to it, we are accountable for our own success in the ring.

Looking back on the past few years, I am so appreciative to have had Paige by my side. Paige has traveled with me to college, across the state, and into the woods, waited for me to heal from surgery, and has supported me for ten years. It’s safe to say she will follow me throughout the rest of my life. I can only hope that as we both get older we can still go on adventures and that another little girl can help love her too.

About our guest blogger:
Maggie Carty is a Senior at Seton Hill University, studying Communications. She is a member of their IHSA team, competing in the Intermediate division. Maggie is the Social Media Intern for The Carousel Horse.

What’s New? Our Brand Ambassadors Fill You in on Summer’s Hottest (or coolest) Trends!

Whether for schooling or for show, our Brand Ambassadors, Intern and some friends have chosen outfits that represent their style, discipline and personalities! Click on the images below to watch videos from these ladies and learn more about these great styles and brands!

Are you interested in becoming a Brand Ambassador and joining the Carousel Horse team? We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for driven, enthusiastic equestrians who want to support and be supported by our company. Click here for all the information and the application. Applications are due June 20!

               

 

                     

Charles Owen AYR8 Helment, RJ Classics Ladies Linden Navy White Show Shirt , RJ Classics Ladies Xtreme Collection Green Soft Shell Coat, Tredstep Symphony Rosa Side Zip Breeches, Tredstep Ladies Donatello Boots

Horseware Nola Check Shirt, USG Breeches, Ariat Challenge Contour Field Boot in Cognac

 

Comfort and Performance

Comfort and performance. Two words that have attached themselves to almost every riding apparel product out there. But what exactly does all this “technology” do for us as riders? Are my breeches today really better than the breeches I rode in as a teen? Yes, yes, they are.

So, let’s talk technology – apparel technology!

• Show Coats – I still have my very first show coat from when I was about 7. It’s heavy, it’s boxy, it’s wool. Thank goodness that in the last 20+ years, designers have taken the hint from other athletic apparel companies and have transformed the show coat industry! Today, fabrics are light and cool (hello summer sun and heat), stretchy (won’t be busting out of those seams when you get left behind at that fence), machine washable (SAY-WHAT?!) and figure flattering (nope, that’s not a Lego riding that horse). Each brand has their own special blend of “comfort and performance,” check out what’s new here:
  • RJ Classics – Their XTREME show coat collection includes softshell materials that contain washable ingredients, and are stain resistant and water repellant.
  • Romfh – Made with a lightweight breathable microfiber softshell fabric, their coats are easy care and machine washable.

• Schooling Breeches – Growing up, I typically lessoned in jeans and half chaps. My schooling breeches were cotton, hot in the summer, easily stained, and always ripped when out on a trail riding adventure. Today, I still wear jeans a majority of the time, but I have a handful of schooling breeches that have certainly withstood the tests of time.
  • Kerrits – are one of the best schooling brands out there, and their technology has come a LONG way. Ice Fil® fabric lowers your skin’s temperature up to 5 degrees and contains UPF 50+ sun protection. Easy wash and dry!

• Show Breeches – Show breeches have improved vastly. No more heavy, scratchy dry-clean only options. You can get the classic style with all the tech bells and whistles.
  • Tredstep – lightweight yet flattering TS Evolution fabric provides 4-way stretch and NanoSphere technology naturally repels water, dirt, and oil to keep your breeches looking great and reduce the need for frequent washing.

• Show Shirts – Advanced fabrics now block UV rays, are moisture-wicking and cooling. MUCH different from the typical boxy cotton button-downs from a few years back.
  • RJ Classics – breathable, stretch fabric and underarm mesh panels will keep you cool and comfortable even during the toughest of competition.

Take advantage of these new technologies, whether for schooling or show. You can be comfortable and cool, protected from the elements and withstand the wear and tear of being at the barn.

What do you look for in riding attire?

“Returning Amateur” from “Horse Show Hiatus”

“The Horse Show Hiatus” – that time in your life between college, finding a real job, getting married and starting a family. Many of us go through it. Its life’s slap in the face that you are now an adult and your parents no longer pay for the pastime that consumed much of your childhood and teen years.

Of course, you could potentially count on one hand how many times you have actually shown during the “Horse Show Hiatus” – you’ve hacked your friend’s horse in the under saddle, or you had a catch-ride opportunity from an old trainer. Heck, you may have even been the leader in a lead line class, but needless to say, your showing days slowed immensely.

Jump ahead a few years, and you become “The Returning Amateur.” You have your life in order (somewhat), which gives you enough free time to get a couple lessons a week or lease a horse. If you are feeling ambitious, perhaps you have even bought your child their first pony. Yay, let’s get back in the show ring! Unfortunately, the trending styles when you were showing are now gone, and you feel like you stick out like a sore thumb! So, it is time to get you outfitted on a budget!

Helmet – For safety reasons, you are supposed to replace your helmet every five years. For fashion reasons, your old-school IRH or original Charles Owen just look amiss in a sea of GPA Speed Airs, Charles Owen AYR8s, One K Defenders and Samshields. There is a new, fashionable, safe helmet for every budget.

Show coat – If it has been a few years since you have shown, you likely have a wool or wool-blend show coat. Sure, it still looks great, but we all know how quickly they can raise your body temperature while standing at the in-gate, and let’s not even talk about the costs around getting them dry cleaned after.every.show! Well, since your have been on your “Horse Show Hiatus” technology has taken over! Soft-shell show coats are offered by almost all of your favorite brands! Light weight, stretchy, breathable AND machine washable! Again, you can find one of these great coats to fit your budget.

Breeches – Technology has taken over here too! No more scratchy, thick, dry-clean-only options. Today’s breeches no longer cover your bellybutton or make your butt look five miles long, but you now have low-rise and mid-rise options for optimum comfort! Oh, and did we mention, some of these breeches are stain-proof? Yep – watch this video!

Boots – If you haven’t noticed, most riders wear custom, semi-custom, or custom-looking boots. If you are still rocking the saggy-ankle, leather-look-a-like boot in the show ring, you need to upgrade. The great thing is, many of your favorite, trusted brands now make a fitted boot that looks custom, without the custom price tag! Comfort, style, real leather, and a boot for every budget!

Show shirt – if you haven’t yet discovered the awesomeness of the IceFill, moisture-wicking, cooling, fitted, tailored show shirt, PLEASE do yourself a favor and make that be one of your first purchases. Furthermore, gone are the days of lost ratcatchers – welcome to the world of wrap-collars.

So, for all of you “Returning Amateurs,” we wish you great success getting back into the show ring this spring. Now you can do it in style!

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!

Stay Visible. Stay Safe. Trail Riding Tips for Fall

Trail riding – it is certainly one of my favorite equine-related activities, especially in the fall! Honestly, nothing beats a Saturday morning ride in October: crisp air, colorful trees, leaves crunching beneath the horse’s feet, and the dew on the grass.

And although for equestrians, this may be a favorite time to ride, for hunters, this is also a favorite time to, well, hunt. So before you tack up and ride out, keep in mind these few safety tips:

Dress your horse brightly – even though the hunter/jumper world is often about conservative colors, fall trail riding should be the exception to this rule. Choose brightly colored saddle pads and protective boots to dress your horse. Quarter sheets often come in brighter colors, and can be useful on cooler days as well. You can even add a colorful ribbon to their tails.

Choose your outfit wisely – your brown insulated jacket or vest will certainly keep you warm, but it will not keep you visible. Swap out your super conservative schooling attire for something bright! If you don’t have another option, you may even consider purchasing a reflective, pull-over vest, specifically for trail riding.

Keep a calendar – ask your barn manager to post a calendar of the dates hunting season runs in your area. There is likely a safe day of the week (usually Sunday) or time of the day for riders to head out.

Stay on marked trails – as fun as it is to go “trail-blazing,” fall is not the time to do it. Stay on cleared trails that you are familiar with. This lessens your chance of running across a hunter in a tree-stand who will likely be less than thrilled you are there. In addition, and this should go without saying, watch for signage. If an area of your woods is clearly marked “No Trespassing,” avoid it.

Haul out – if the property around your barn is not trail-friendly, or your concern during hunting season is heightened, consider hauling out to a local park where hunting is not permitted. This is a great way to enjoy the weather and your colorful surroundings safely.

Ride smart. Ride safe. Fall is a wonderful season that we as horse owners need to soak up, because it only means the dreaded winter is around the corner. Take advantage of all the fall riding activities around you; hunter paces, fox hunting, trail riding, and more!

To the Laundromat in the Darkness of Night – We’ve all Been There

Ahh, spring cleaning. It feels good, doesn’t it? Opening the windows in the house! Leaving the barn doors open all night! I just can’t get enough of the fresh, spring air.

However, there is one daunting spring task all horse owners dread… Cleaning those winter blankets! They smell like pee, they are stained beyond recognition, they are covered with hair, and likely a strap or two is broken. Sometimes, it might be easier to toss it and get a new one. But, most of us can’t afford a new blanket each year, so we resort to getting them clean and even some jerry-rigging to fix holes and broken straps (don’t pretend you haven’t used duct tape as patch repair and bailing twine for a strap). 

Now, for me, I traditionally yank off the heavyweight, toss it in a garbage bag, and put it in the trunk of my car. Unfortunately, I forget about it. Until we are in the heat of summer, and I keep asking myself “what is that smell?” I do it every year, so you think I would learn… just wash it right away. But here we are, a few weeks into spring, and guess where my horse’s blanket is? That’s right… in my trunk, waiting until darkness when I can head to the laundromat to ignore the “DO NOT WASH HORSE BLANKET” signs, and toss them in (you all do it too, so don’t look down upon me).

But over the years, I have learned that a quick wash doesn’t always do the trick. And, in fact, the last time I left it up to my husband to wash the blanket, somehow he melted the straps (not pleased, and the blanket was a total loss).

Sometimes you have to get resourceful. Sometimes your blanket needs a good hose-down before it even faces the washing machine. Sometimes it needs the care of a laundry service. Whatever condition your blanket made it through this winter in, it needs some TLC this spring.

I want to get the life out of my horse’s blanket (they aren’t cheap), so here are my thoughts and advice. If you let those dirty blankets lay around through the summer season, you might find weird mold growing on the inside, or even worse, find that the urine stains have pretty much eaten their way through the fabric. You don’t want that!

1. Use a scrub brush and a hose before you ever throw it in the washing machine. Getting the extra mud and grime off will make a world of difference, and in the end, your washer will thank you. Don’t use the power washer. This will damage the waterproofing layer… and who really wants a non-waterproof blanket?
2. An awesome little tip I learned along the way is to cover all metal clips with socks, and tie them on with hair ties. If you have removable hind leg straps – take them off. Otherwise, roll up the leg straps and shove them into the socks too. Nothing to get caught on in the washer! Imagine that!
3. Rinse! The rinse cycle is important. Run it through twice if you have to. Soap that is left over can often cause irritation to your horse’s skin. Use a detergent formulated for horse blankets. These can be found at your favorite tack store.
4. Do not use the dryer (remember above when I mentioned my husband melting my blanket). Those large dryers get too hot! A hang dry will do the trick. But, make sure it is entirely dry before you pack it away for the summer. Mold is bad!

And, when you have exhausted all efforts, and maintaining that blanket any further is a burden, toss it. It is time for a new one. Lucky for you, many tack stores have sales on winter blankets during the spring. My final tip is to snag one up while they are on sale!

Happy SPRING, everyone!

Let The Carousel Horse Prepare You for Show Season – Horse Show Checklist

Do you have all the necessities to help prepare you for show season? The Carousel Horse has compiled this checklist for all your showing needs!

1. Click on the image for the full PDF document!

2. Hover over an item for more information and to order you supplies!

3. Print the checklist and share with others at your barn!