Favorite Finds Week Three
The Go-To Grooming Product
When I am grooming horses, there will be a brush in one hand and “the pink spray” in the other. The pink spray is Healthy HairCare Hair Moisturizer but my added trick is a little glug of vinegar in the spray bottle. Vinegar is great for preventing fungus, repelling dirt and boosting shine.This mix is gold. I use it on the entire horse and in every season. It does not matter if you use white vinegar or apple cider and I do not have a specific amount that I add, hence, a glug is my form of measurement.
A couple tips for using this magic potion:
Blanket season- Spray your horse with this mix and brush out for reduced static. It also helps with that nasty brown/white sluff that your horse gets from wearing a blanket for too long.
Shedding season- Spray your horse before currying them to reduce hair flying up into your face and sticking to everything in sight.
You can usually find it locally or online. It is a concentrate so read the directions!
Quote I Am Pondering
“My top 10 rules for success and happiness:
Don’t assume someone else’s rules will work for you.” -Adam Grant
I have been thinking about this idea for awhile. It is important to remember that what works for one horse or rider does not always work for another. For myself as an instructor, it reminds me to stay flexible in my approach. Each horse or rider need something different from me and it’s important I make the right assessment to help them find success. There are many roads to Rome. Be true and honest with yourself and your horse because everyone’s journey will look different than your own.
Braiding A Thin Mane Hack
Do you have a horse with a thin spot in their mane? I’m not talking bald spot, sorry, only time will fix that problem. But a thin mane that needs to be braided? I found a genius product for you. It is called Fake It by the Hairy Pony. It’s essentially a mane extension that you braid in. It comes in a pack of 5 and in 15 different colors so you can match your horse’s mane perfectly. They are reusable and there is a video tutorial on the product page which makes it look extremely easy. I plan to get this for Veau because she always wears a neck cover, even in the summer so the mane at the base of her neck usually is missing some hair plus I think these are handy to have in your show box for those just in case situations.
A Stable To Drool Over
This interview was done in the winter so I debated sharing it right now as we are on the brink of summer but then I realized if I waited until winter to share it, we all may be too envious of Nicola’s cozy barn in the mountains so alas, now is the time. This is a longer video but a great watch while you drink your morning coffee or have an evening glass of wine. Nicola’s boutique barn is picturesque, not to mention the beautiful backdrop. Although I can only imagine the challenges of having a stable on the side of a mountain. During the interview, you can see how much she cares about the horses and the sanctuary she has built but you can hear it in her voice as well. She loves her job, she is passionate about the work, no matter how hard it can be sometimes and that makes her stable that much more beautiful.