Blanket Washing

Holy blankets! 

I brought back Echo's blankets from Lexington so I had double blanket duty. 

All the blanket washes I've used, they tell you to use 1-2 ounces and give us no good way to actually measure. Frustrating right? So I had bought some of the squeeze bottles liquid supplements use. It was thick and kind of difficult to get through the bottle but it worked great overall and I'm going to keep using it for now.

This was first time I've used the EQyss MicroTek wash on the blankets. I've used it and loved it on wraps, saddle blankets, etc. It did a good job and I like the whole fact of it killing stuff in the process of washing.

However I'm not sure I like it better than Saddler's. Saddler's is all I've used in the past since it took me forever to get through my supply. EQyss removed stains well and smelled a whole lot better after, but there were a few spots I wish it had cleaned slightly better. Downside to the Saddler's is it is way thicker and no way would it go through the squeeze bottle. That thing definitely made my life a lot easier and slightly cleaner than using the cap to measure out the soap. If anyone else has any blanket wash suggestions, I'd love to hear them, always a daunting task so anything to use that works better or makes the job easier, lets hear them!

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Congrats to now Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah. The day had been filled with upsets so things weren't looking as positive for 'Pharoah but he pulled it off. I think for the first time ever, I had the top three, actually four in my picks. If only I had bet! Top three look like they're going to the Preakness in two weeks. Read for more and race replay on the BloodHorse article.

Side by Side

So a few of you may know, but my two besties, Colleen & George have left the farm where I board for bigger and better things. Over this past weekend, all their horses were moved, leaving the barn empty in more ways than one. However, one of the bright side things is two stalls side by side opened up. Dakota and Echo have had another boarder's horses in between them so I took the opportunity to move stalls and have them back together. 

George also had been given a hand-me-down tack trunk. He didn't need it with where they moved to, so I now have two tack trunks after getting his hand-me down. 

I'm working a half day today because it is Echo's first off farm lesson with Lauren. When we first planned it we didn't know it was going to be an on going thing with the retirement of Lauren's horse. Anyways, I figure I may as well go to the first one to see how it goes and offer extra hands to help get her ready if needed. I already have my camera charging and memory card empty so I intend to have lots of video and photos to share!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Stable

Stall Supplies

• Himalayan Salt - Both my horses adore these.
• Vinyl Stall Chain
• Rubber Feed Pan
• Tack Hook - Nice to hang stuff up temporarily when you're working in or around the stall.
• Stall Front Grooming & Horsewear Bag - Have this on Echo's stall
• Box Fan Supports
• Stall & Pasture Toy
• Jolly Ball™ - Who doesn't love a jolly ball? 
• Dura-Tech® SafeGuards™
• Horsewear Bar

Insect Control

• UltraShield Green - Natural
• UltraShield Sport
• UltraShield Red
• Premier Marigold - Natural
• Bug Block - Super wide spectrum of coverage!
• EquiSect Fly Repellent - Natural
• Calm Coat Fly Spray - Natural

Feed Room

• Sure Scoop
• Super Sure Scoop

Travel & Trailering

• Sheepskin Shipping Halter
• Director's Chair
• Professional Choice Tail Wrap
• Saddle Stand
• First Aid Kit - Must have
• All Purpose Duffle - I put all my changes of clothes for shows in this.
• Dura-Tech® StableHand™ - Can't fill hay nets without this anymore.
• Extra Large Hay Saver Bag
• Hay Bale Transport Bag

Tack Room

• Plastic Whip Holder - Nothing fancy but it works!
• Herm Sprenger Revolving Hole Punch - Don't own yet but totally need it
• Burlingham Saddle Trunk - Want!
• Carr & Day & Martin Leather Care Line
• Bandage & Quilt Case - Holds way more than I ever thought it would
• Horsewear Storage Bag
• Multi Use Bag
• Deluxe Tack Rack Case
• Tack Rack with Hangers

General

• Flex-Hook® Hangers
• Bucket Scrub Brush - One of best ones I've used
• Equi-Ping
• Tie-Safe Ties - LOVE these
• Accessory/Clipper Roll-Up Bag - Love this thing
• Coil Hose
• Deluxe Measuring Stick
• Off The Cuff
• All Purpose Hanger - Can't even tell you how many of these I own

Free Stall Cleaning = Win

Last night after getting out of work and checking my voice mail and text, and seeing many many many text and missed calls from K that were all along the lines of "How much do you love me?" I called her back... She wanted to go to her boyfriend's wrestling match that was over an hour away and her parents wouldn't take her. So... her deal was 2 weeks of stall cleaning and her grooming and tacking up my horse any time I wanted to ride for the coming month. Sure why not right? I got to farm and my stalls were done and we brought horses in and left. 

Of course there's no great way to get there which meant ALL back roads. We got to the high school right after her boyfriend finished wrestling. Fail. Oh well, we had a good time talking during the 2+ hours we spent in the car.

On tap tonight is lunge session with Echo and maybe Dakota.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Grooming

Might include random tips at the end. Most of us have our favorite tools to use and grooming is pretty standard so this is going to be more for the oddities I've found in grooming that I love and work for me.

Brushes & Tools

• Slick n Easy - I've used these things ever since I got Dakota. I recently learned a lot of my horse friends have never used one. Great for getting that extra bit of rain rot out or getting out difficult loose hair and dirt.
• Hoof Brush - I have two of these per horse. I have one I've designated for hoof use and a second I've designated for leg use. They're great on winter muddy legs. I've found regular hard brushes to be a pain. This is small enough you can be more thorough on the legs.
• Horze Softgrip Brushes - If you're a fan on synthetic / non wooden backed brushes these are great. Especially if you can find yourself a 50% code for the website, you can't beat the price.

 Totes

• Roma Tote - Lots of pockets and room to hold all tools.
• Clipper Bag - Love mine - I feel need for more clippers so I can buy more bags.

Shampoo

There are a few other brands that can't be found with online stores. There is one in particular I plan to try in 2013 at least for pre show use.

• Gallop Color Shampoo  - Love this stuff - Dakota is always super soft, smells good, and looks great after a dose of this.
• Calm Coat Premium
• SmartWorks - Haven't tried this one but I really want to!
• Vetrolin Bath Shampoo - Great as an 'every day' shampoo.
• Corona Shampoo - My other favorite 'every day' shampoo. 
• Howe Clean - Haven't used this one either but have friends that swear by it.
• Eqyss Microtek - Great medicated shampoo when you don't want to do a iodine wash.
• Pro-Tect - Another great medicated shampoo.

Conditioner

• EquiFUSE Gleam Moisturizer - REALLY want to try this stuff. It WILL be in my next Schneider's order.
• Eqyss Premier Cream Rinse

 Clippers

• Shaver - Great for show touch ups.
• Andis Freedom

 Coat Care

• Calm Coat Detangler & Shine - Smells like coconut!
• Santa Fe Coat Conditioner - Has SPF in it so helps prevent sun burn and coat bleaching.
• Hair Moisturizer 
• Vetrolin Shine 

Mane & Tail

• Canter Mane & Tail
• Solo Comb - Dakota hates his mane pulled and after recommendations I've recently purchased this to test out.
• Mane Stripping Comb

Hoof Care

• Riders Rasp
• Hoof Polish - If you're going to use a polish... use this one, the other ones are more likely to dry out hooves.

Other

• Under Tail Wipes - Perfect for those areas we don't think to groom on a regular basis. Can use on mare udders too.
• Canter Stain Master 
• Grooming Chalk 
• Brush Therapy - Great to clean your brushes. 
• Epona Bath Cloth 

Tips

•  Corn Starch - use on white legs for showing.
• Don't use spray on conditioner and shine products on a chestnut coat before a show. Use natural oils from your hands and rub down coat. Looks much more natural.
• Coconut oil - My new number 1 way to condition mane and tails. Leaves hair super soft and easy to work with.

Part of my new brushes I bought for Echo.

Next I'll be reviewing "Apparel" - From show to schooling.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Blankets

We kick off my new Friday mini series with a popular topic for this time of year, blankets! I've had some awful experiences with horse apparel and some equally great. Here are the great ones, most I've had personal experience with or have seen them in action among my closest horse friends.

Turnouts - Sheet, Mid and Heavy Weight

• StormShield NEW BRITION - SOOO excited that Schneiders came out with a new line of this blanket. I was bummed when the others went on closeout and crossed my fingers it meant a new one was coming. Cannot wait to get my hands on this one. 
• DuraTech Viking II - Haven't tried this one yet myself but at that price and at 1200D it's worth a shot.
• StormShield EXTREME - Horse Journal's pick of 2012 and at 1680D it's an unbeatable price. Plus a 2 year guarantee! 
• StormShield CLASSIC EURO - I can't tell you how many of these I have bought. I love them. Great color choices and holds up will at 1200D.
• SmartPak Ultimate Ballistic Nylon Turnout Blanket - A 10 YEAR guarantee on a blanket?! I'm thinking whoever came up with this idea is both brilliant and insane. There are some horses I'd love to put this blanket on and let them give it a true test run. I'm thinking this is going to be my blanket of choice for Echo once I know I'll be able to consistently blanket her.
• Riders International - I know many people that like these blankets. I have yet to try them myself. For their price and at 1200D, I always end up on a Schneiders blanket.

Stable Sheets

• Centaur Basics Stable Sheet - Love this sheet. Dakota has had one for 3+ years with very little wear and tear on it. They also make same sheet in solid colors for your plaid haters.
• Baker - Of course you have to include a Baker. Who doesn't love Baker?

Stable Blankets

• Masta Stable Rugs - Hard to find in the United States but I managed to snatch one when I worked for State Line Tack and it's held up amazing, I can't tell you how many times I've washed the thing either! Dakota stays nice and warm with it.
• Riders International - Good all round Stable Blanket.
• Schneiders Stable Blankets

Liners

• Amigo Blanket Liner - Bulky but good warmth.
• Schneiders Liner
• Tekno-Fleece - Closed front liner for less bulk. Dakota loves his!

Coolers

• Honeycomb Chill Chaser - Amazing for after a bath in cooler weather or all-purpose cooler.
• Triple Crown Wool Cooler - Can't beat a Triple Crown wool cooler!

Fly Sheets & Accessories

• Weatherbetta Airflow Fly Sheet
• Weatherbetta Kool Coat
• Cashel Fly Mask - Options of Ears, Long, 
• UltraShield Fly Bonnet - Available Without Ears

Other

• Back on Track Exercise Rug
• Lyrca Hood - Dakota tested and approved!
• Rambo Newmarket Quarter Sheet - Since I don't think I'll be making it to Europe anytime soon to get a REAL Newmarket rug these will have to do while I dream of the real ones. Until then I'll use this and feel like a fraud. 

Dakota sporting his Schneider's New Briton blanket!

Next Friday I'll be reviewing "Supplements" - one of my favorite topics!