We’re Getting Closer!

Click on the video below for a sneak peek of what we have in store for our local Pennsylvania shoppers!

Be sure to follow our social media pages and sign up for our newsletter for details and announcements about the Grand Opening of our brick and mortar location!

In the meantime, keep shopping online – www.carouselhorsetack.com.

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

 

To fly sheet or not to fly sheet… that is the question.

Green grass, warmer temps and longer days. This is my favorite time of the year. In fact, our horses love it too! But give it a few more weeks when those pesky flies and mosquitoes take over, and your ponies will be at the gate begging to come in by mid-day.

So I ask you – do you use a fly sheet? If not, it is certainly something to think about…

• Make summer turnout more pleasant – Not all farms offer night turnout for the summer, which means your horse may have to take in the heat of the day out in a field. The extra head shaking, body twitching, foot stomping and tail swishing can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and less grazing. A fly sheet helps create a barrier to bugs and lessens bug bites.
• Sunblock – Today, many fly sheets come with UV protection. This can be important in lighter-colored and pink-skinned horses who are prone to sunburn. Additionally, if you have a darker show horse, UV fly sheets can keep their coats from fading.
• Cut down on allergens – There is always that one horse in the barn who seems to have an allergic reaction to bug bites, developing itchy welts, and in turn spends the day biting and scratching themselves, again, resulting in less grazing. Using a fly sheet can help prevent bugs from getting to the skin and lessen allergic reactions.
• Cleanliness – Grass stains and excess dust and dirt are a common part of summer turnout, but a fly sheet can help you keep your horse much cleaner! Fly sheets are even a great option for summer horse shows.
• Keeping cool – Fly sheets come in different fabrics, but are primarily made of mesh that lets air circulate freely. This helps keep your horse cool even on the hottest days!
• Less fly spray – Let’s be honest, you spray your horse in the morning before he goes out, but within the hour, he is stomping and swishing. He is sweating, he has rolled, and now your fly spray is no longer effective. A fly sheet is a great alternative! And, you don’t have to continue to spay all day

My advice to you… before summer kicks into high gear, consider investing in a fly sheet. There is practically one for every budget, and your horse will thank you! Check out all these great fly sheet options from The Carousel Horse.

Facebook Contest – Pick The Kentucky Derby Winner!

Make a Run for the Roses! If you successfully pick the 2015 Kentucky Derby Winner, you will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 gift certificate to The Carousel Horse!
Here are the details:
1. LIKE our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/CarouselHorseTack 
2. Thursday through Saturday, May 2, at Post Time (6:25 pm, Eastern), pick your winner and post it in the comments section of the Facebook post.
3. SHARE the post on your Facebook page and encourage your friends to take part in the fun!
4. Fill out this form so that we can contact you if you win! http://www.carouselhorsetack.com/pages/Kentucky-Derby-Contest-.html
5. Watch the Kentucky Derby and cheer on your favorite horse!
6. At the conclusion of The Derby, those who have chosen the winning horse will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 gift certificate to The Carousel Horse!
8. Any horses chosen after Post Time (6:25 pm, Eastern) will not be eligible.

Find the complete list of horses running in the Kentucky Derby here: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses

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?

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!

Mark Your Calendar!

December 5-6, 2014, The Carousel Horse will host our annual Holiday Preview Event! So, if you are local or traveling through Western Pennsylvania for the holidays, stop by! And watch our preview video below for more details!

Hope to see you here in two weeks!

Facebook Contest! Win a WeatherBeeta Turnout!

Quick! Head over to our Facebook page and enter yourself to win a new WeatherBeeta Turnout!

LIKE our page and SHARE the post! One winner will be chosen on 10.10.14!

Good Luck!

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!