3 Horsey Tools I'm Loving

Thank goodness winter is over!!  It can be a really trying time as a horse (or any livestock, for that matter) owner.  Whether you’re fighting frozen water tanks, blowing and drifting snow, or the desire to stay curled up under a blanket inside… We can’t simply ignore the animals we have chosen to have in our lives!  Now that it seems that spring is here to stay, I’ve been thinking about a few things that I couldn’t do without as a horse owner... 

For years, I’ve used a plastic tote to hold my grooming supplies, but this Christmas I received the Noble Outfitters Equissential Tote and honestly LOVE it!  There’s tons of pockets for storage and because of it’s height, spray bottles go in the middle and don’t fall over like they did in my old one.  The best part though?  The mesh bottom that let’s hair and dirt fall tight through.  I can’t tell you how gross my old one used to get because it just accumulated at the bottom.  Eww.  Oh, and it comes in purple and black!

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As we transition from winter to spring, the days get longer and horses start shedding.  Horse hair is literally flying all over the place.  A good rule of thumb; don’t want to wear polar fleece or chapstick in the barn from February to mid-May!  To help expedite the process, I rotate between three different shedding tools… Shedding blade, a Furminator and a Sleekez.  

For the last several years, I’ve used a slow feed hay bag at the trailer or in the stall overnight at horse shows.  The slow feed hay bags are nice because they keep Louie busy, he wastes very little hay compared to a traditional hay bag, I haul less hay and it mimics his natural grazing habits.  All positives in my book.  This winter at the barn we experimented with using them on a daily basis and they worked out really well!  The stalls were easier to clean because there wasn’t hay being stirred into shavings and there wasn't the worry we'd run out of hay.  A common concern.  In the mornings there was less rowdy, “I’m starving” banging of doors because they eat all through the night.  I’ve been won over by the Hay Chix brand of hay bag simply because they’re the easiest to fill!

What are some of your 'Must Haves' in the barn?  Please share!

4 Fads I Bought Into and 3 I'm Not Sure I Will

There are just some things you see on the internet or in magazines that you convince yourself that you just can't live without, am I right? 

I'd be willing to bet that we're all guilty of buying something that's the next big 'thing'.  Whether we've seen it on Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter we pull the trigger because we see ourselves wearing or using it regularly.

Four fads that I've wholeheartedly embraced include:

Sperrys.  I have come to adore this brand of shoes!  I got this pair three years ago when I was visiting friends in New Jersey and haven't looked back.  Recently, I purchased a pair via Poshmark and I'm beyond excited to get them because they're sparkly!!  Like my personality.

Polar Heart Rate Monitor.  My amazeballs SIL bought me a Polar as part of my Christmas present this year and when I remember to wear it, it's awesome!  The little guy tracks my calories burned and obnoxiously beeps when my heart rate is too low or too high.  

The Blanket Scarf.  The really questions here is, who hasn't bought a blanket scarf?  It's literally been everywhere for the last year or so.  I got mine while I was in Chicago last year and love it!

Vegetable Spiralizer.  Spiralize all the veggies!  Matt isn't on board with zoodles, but sweet tators are a definite go.  We went with a cheaper, more compact version initially just to see how much we utilize it to start.  So far it's treated us just fine!

This brings me to my list of fads that I'm not sure are my thing.  Or at least not yet they're not...

Hunters.  I just can't bring myself to buy a pair, I honestly don't think I'd wear them.  Now, don't think I won't sign up to win a pair when someones hosting them as part of a giveaway, but they're not something I'd buy for myself.  I wear my Muck boots when it's rainy, cold and/or muddy at the barn and usually choose my Sperry's or a pair of boots on a rainy day.

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Subscription Boxes.  Y'all are so cute when you post your StitchFix outfits, Birchbox and Ipsy items!  Really, you are.  It's just not for me... I don't think, anyway!  I have a laundry list of things that I know I want to buy without getting stuff in the mail that I didn't know I needed!!  For now, this one is a no for me.

Kendra Scott Earrings.  Okay, these are only on this list because I can't decide what freakin' color to buy!!  I'd wear the heck of of the turquoise ones, but do I go with gold or silver?  Or what about the pretty purple ones?!  The pretty grey, basic black or iridescent?  The struggle is real.  

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So spill. 

What fads have you embraced and which aren't your jam?  Am I really missing out on the three fads that I don't think are for me?  Try and sway me.