Schnieders Blankets

I have had 2 Schnieder's blankets now and I absolutely love them. They are tough, well constructed, warm, and sharp looking. They come with a 2 year warranty, but I haven't had to use it yet. Not even a tear! They are incredibly waterproof. These things are tough!

They have different lines for different breeds, including warmblood!

The Vtek V Free Horse Blankets designed to fit the warmblood and TB. Especially those with high withers (which these breeds tend to have). They have great buckles, well constructed, not one has broken. Leg straps, belly straps, and double snap chest closure.

They have a pressure free wither design including a wither padding. They also have a strap to adjust the shoulder pressure. Both of these features have completely eliminated my horse's wither soreness which he suffers from wearing traditional blankets.

The Stormshield model is my favorite.

They come in multiple weights, all under $200. The Medium weight is $129 for 220g, the Light weight is $119 for 100g of fill, and the sheet (no insulation) is $109!

I have the Stormshield model in lightweight (100g) and medium weight (220g). I cannot stress how much I love them! I will only buy their blankets moving forward. The quality is way up there for the low price, I almost feel like I am robbing them. The Stormshield Light Weight is not incredibly light weight, it is still rather thick. I tend to have him wear it when it's in the 30s or in the 40s at night. He is half clipped and lives in a shed/run outside.

Tip: When measuring your horse stay true to the size or round up. I had a size 78 which fits well on my horse for awhile, but then I had it cleaned and it did shrink a little...his gut was hanging out of the bottom. :) So I graduated it to my smaller rescue horse and bought him a new one, size 80....it fits perfectly and a little room for shrink.

The Stormshield, perfect for TBs and Warmbloods. Buy at SStack.com

My next big purchase, the VTek Marathon Model which comes with a belly band and a heavy weight of 380grams! We have cold winter days of -15 here in Colorado with a clipped horse the leaves in a shed and run this is necessary.

$199.00 for the heavy weight! Buy Here.

Don't have a TB or WB? The V-free model is for Arabians, Quarterhorses, and similar confirmations. They also have the Cutback model for Morgans and other horses with upright necks.

They also have a great fly sheet model, which is probably worth a try this summer!

All that pretty pink

I found this pink kitchen. I actually really like it, it's very pretty. So I decided to find other pink things, but horse related! That is how my mind works, one thought leads to another thought, which leads to a blog.

You know there are a few of them out there...pink horse trailers! I actually helped a friend spray paint her old crappy horse trailer pink once. She was a rodeo girl, it fit, and was a fun way to dress up a basic trailer.

This horse trailer takes the cake though. It's Katie Price's horse box!

St. Tropez riding jacket along with some other pink goodies.

Katy Price's Equestrian Range features a cute sheet/cooler in pink.

Katie Price has even more items in pink, like these tall boots in pink with crystal. May be a little too much but they are still pretty to look at.

If you enjoy looking at pink every day you could paint your barn pink.

Of course, GPA makes a pink riding helmet. For girls only!

Pink headbands aren't just for little girls, they are for horses too! These brow-bands are actually very pretty and would look great on grays or a dark bay.

Well, I like a little pink...but maybe some of this is a little over the top for me to own. It was fun to look at though wasn't it? And I am pretty sure there are some riders out there glamorous enough to wear all this pink.

Great Princess Anne Rescues A Pony :)

This is a wonderful story. The Princess could probably have almost any horse in the world and she did something so sweet and adopted. I love this lady!

Read the story here.

Animo, Pikeur, and Spooks Popular And We Can See Why...

If you want to look like you belong in that show ring, consider buying a Spooks, Animo, or Pikeur riding jacket.  Even some of the hunters are wearing them.  Finally, a riding jacket that compliments a figure not make us look like a box.  No overheating and throw in the washer.  Remember when riding jackets only came in like 2 colors and were made of wool, yuck...say good by to those days!

Consider buying from overseas, it may save you a few bucks.  Most of the stuff is cheaper in the UK. For example, a Spooks riding jacket could cost you as little as $300 (see elbow patch below), but at a tack store you could spend up to $450 on that same jacket!

Pikeur Jackets.  Note, you can find some on dover.com in the $200 range.

This is my favorite Pikeur, called the Epsom, comes in 36 different combinations.  You can switch out the velvet collar and piping!  $400.00

Pikeur Irina Show Jacket in Bronze and black.  More affordable options on ebay for $324.00!

Check out more styles on their trailer...

Animo An Italy based equestrian company, they also have golf clothes...and cute pockets!  Some of the offerings are not found in the US very easily so if you find something you really like the best way is to order from a UK based company like Equiporium.

This Animo jacket is my favorite, the Lasal, it's just stylish enough but remains traditional.

Animo Lenny Jacket comes with crystal detailing in black, grey, navy, and red.

Animo Lorely Jacket, with some cute zippers and detailing

Animo has some very pretty color options

The 2013 Video Promo Video.  Besides their jackets, they have the cutest breeches.

Spooks, an Australian based company and really popular in America.  Their jackets run between $300-$500.

One of my favorites, the brown.  This would look so cute with a brown velvet helmet

They tend to stay a little more traditional then Animo, but still have some fun colors.

 Love the pink piping!

If I bought one it most certainly would have the elbow patch!  $308, not bad!

Dreamhorse.com's Most Expensive Warmblood

I thought this would be fun to look up on dreamhorse.com, the most expensive warmblood (based off those with the price listed in the ad) And the winner is...

First of all, I have to say...go figure it's a dressage horse!

A 11 year old Oldenburg stallion by Jazzman/Rubinstein.  17H chestnut located in Germany.  He is at St George level and winner of many Intermediate tests, including PSG wins.  Being advertised for young riders or junior for $270,000.00

Oddly enough, there are no pictures or videos on the dreamhorse ad, but I manage to find some on an internet search and he is pretty!  You would think with that money the horse would have it's own commercial!  Go here for the ad.

Fixdesign Pretty

Came across this image of Fixdesign show room (in Italy, darn-it too far).  Those helmets are gorgeous! They came out with a vanilla line, which is beautiful.  Fixdesign is an Italian based equestrian apparel company, the bow is their symbol and on most of their gear.  Really cute bow by the way. They also have a line of everyday clothing, which is also pretty.

Wanna look at some more cute helmet's? Check out my previous post with tons of options here.

Pessoa Bridle on Closeout

Pessoa bridle on closeout!!  Great leather, usually it retails for about $350, but it is at $189.00 at Adams Saddlery.  Get one before they are out!

I bought mine!

Dressage bridles have all the fun

If you are a dressage rider then you have so many options for pretty bridles! I am seriously thinking about splurging to buy one just to hack in

Came across these pretty bridles on ebay this AM, sparkly nosebands and all, and whats really cool is the come in brown- yay!

Found these on ebay here (US $156.00): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harrys-Horse-Diamante-Browband-Padded-Glitter-Noseband-Snaffle-Flash-Bridle-/181192028309?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item2a2fe2f095

Kind of digging this ebay seller in general:  http://stores.ebay.com/Equestrian-Performance

A girl with many hats, riding hats that is!

I know many people ride without a helmet and justify it with the fact that they are on the trail, not jumping, it's too hot, or on a calm horse, etc.  The truth is, equestrians who are riding without helmets on a daily or weekly basis are placing their lives and health in jeopardy.  For me, I have had a concussion (or two) from falling off...with the helmet on!

Some people don't have as bad luck as me, but in case you are wondering how common equestrian head injuries are here are some stats from http://www.riders4helmets.com:

1. 75-80% of horse related head injuries occur while mounted on the horse.
2. One serious accident occurs for every 350 hours of riding, motorcyclists only experience 1 serious accident for every 5,000 hours of riding.
3. Over 100 equestrian deaths per year, with 10-20 times more serious  injuries then deaths.
4. Head injuries account for 60% of deaths from riding.
5. On average their are 8 brain trauma related deaths per year for sports like football, for equestrian this number goes up to 60 deaths per year due to traumatic brain injuries.
6. Most head injuries occur at home, not at the show.

Now to stop talking serious and start talking cute, check out some of these awesome helmets that you will want to wear!

Samshield Custom Helmets  $545, check out the sparkles!  Order via Smartpak.

It looks like Samshield is also doing some work with Animo, check out this Samshield/Animo helmet:

Antares Custom Helmets  $890, color options!  Order via Smartpak.

Charles Owen Custom Helmet.  Another one with lots of color options $339.  Order via Dover

And this one is smokin' hot!

GPA, the classic look and most popular in hunter/jumper scene $350.  Order via Dover.

Harry's Hat.  It's an Ireland thing and I like it!  Order off IE site.

Tonino.  Really want a unique helmet, check out these!

IRH.  I have to throw it a more affordable helmet!  Check out IRH at really any tack store for $173.

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of 

femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." (Martha Sliter)