Equiline's full seat breeches

It has been a few weeks since I had the chance to start riding with a full seat Equiline trouser.

I got really lucky when I entered my usual saddlery: there was an Equiline trouser left at -70% in my size. I got it at 58€ instead of 200€!

I highly recommend it! It is perfect to ride, the shape is great and it is really nice to wear it, you don't feel it at all. The fabric is perfect. The pockets' shape is perfect so that you cannot loose your keys or your phone while riding.

Details are really nice, like the small Equiline logo at the back of the trouser.

I could never have bought an Equiline trouser at a full priced but if I find another one on sale, be assured that I'll purchase it. They are my favorite trousers! Really elegant and comfy!

At the time I am translating the article to English, nearly a year passed by and the breeches are still in a perfect condition and of course, they still are my favorite!

Fouganza laced boots

Some days ago, my beloved Fouganza "Paddock" boots broke, letting me alone after 4 years by my side.

Really satisfied with them, I decided to buy a new identical pair as they are to me an excellent choice regarding quality and price matters. Fouganza is selling them for 69,95€.

First of all, I find them pretty (they exist in black and brown). I own the brown ones and the color perfectly matches with my chaps. Also, at the back of the boot, there is a zip which is closed by a nicely detailed button.

Secondly, a thing I had forgotten from my first pair, when I wore them for the first time, my feet did not hurt. I did not need the usual 2 to 3 weeks of adaptation. Avoid suffering during two weeks, this is a big yes!

Thirdly, they are easy to take care of. Firstly thanks to the zip, not need to tie them. Then, regarding care, they do not need a lot of attention. On my last pair, I put some oil around once per year and they were just fine.

Last thing I discovered after checking Fouganza's website, they are under guarantee for two years!

Cavalor's Top Action

Hi everyone!

Today, I am going to tell you all about "Top Action" from Cavalor.

Totem lost a few pounds when we changed his type of hay to improve his intestinal flora. Thus, I wanted to find a solution so that we would not see his ribs anymore. A friend who has a thoroughbred horse advised me with Top Action.

I bought a bag at my saddlery. It costed my 15€ for 25kg. I started to give Totem 1,5L per day in addition to his regular food.

Top action are big tasty granules (Cavalor says that, I have not personally tasted them, however it suits Totem very well!). The fact that the granules are big force the horse to chew them longer than a normal sized granules which let the first digestion phase to be more effective.

The complement also helps the horse to keep a healthy intestinal flora and makes his coat shiny.

It's been two weeks since I started to feed Totem with Top Action and on the energy level, I cannot feel any difference (perfect as energy was not the point). However, regarding weight matters, I am starting to see a difference.

Here is a picture on the first day of Top Action and then another taken two weeks later. It looks really effective to me (ps: in addition to Top Action, Totem is eating grass around 30 min per day)


1st day of Top action



After a week of Top action

 

After two weeks of Top action

KP Equestrian: "Putting Glamour into Horse-Riding"

After having lived for a few months in London, I got the chance to go to the Olympia London International Horse Show.

Being used to the horse fair in Paris (Salon du Cheval de Paris), I was expecting the same kind of event, with a lot of equipment booths. I was super excited with the idea of finding the saddle pad no one will have in France!

Unfortunately, saddle pads were way more classic than the ones we can find in the alleys of Paris' horse fair.

However, a brand surprised me a little: KP Equestrian.

This brand is all about girly stuff and pink everywhere!

It was created by Katie Price, a former English model, know between other facts for her breast surgery. Katie launched herself into the equestrian world, the music world (she finished second in the Eurovision competition where she represented UK), the books (already 4 autobiographical books have been published).

Here are some products developed by the brand:

Boots in Italian leather, 499£

Sweatshirt "Born to Ride", 34.99£

Insect repellent rug, 39£

After seeing these products, I have to admit that I was really not interested by the brand. But then, I discovered these fences, and became in love with them:

Katie Price trying the fences

Ok, it looks a bit like "Barbie is riding her pony" but it is so pretty!

If you are looking for fences, this is where you can find them:  HERE 

Comments about BR Melange Classic saddle pad!

I finally got the time to take pictures of my BR Melange Classic saddle pad that I was introducing here.

Here are some pictures of it:

After having used the saddle pad during a month or so, it was time to comment!

Positive points:

-the saddle pad is really nice and elegant and matches really well with Totem's dark coat

-the shape is great

-the fabric used for lining is perfect: breathable and perspiration is absorbed easily

Negative points:

-the girth straps get damaged quite easily (see picture below) and we can see some yarns after a short while, however, it is not a big issue...

-the saddle pad's parts that are in contact with my saddle are starting to peel a little

Conclusion: really nice saddle pad with just a small remark on the fabric quality. It is a shame as due to that I prefer not to put it on Totem too much so that it does not get damaged and so that I can keep it longer.

However, at the price of 36,9€, it is a goof investment and I will not hesitate to purchase another saddle pad from BR.

Pinterest going crazy about Equestrian!

For all those of you who like nice pictures, here are some links to Pinterest account, devoted to our favorite animals:

• Pegasebuzz
• Jijijenn (board Equestria)
• EquiVogue (my favorite, that has several "pinboards" as Art Horse, Beauty horse or Horse Fashion) 
• You know I had to have a horse related pinboard
• There is nothing like the bond between a girl and her horse
• The wind of heaven is that blows between a horse's ears

If you know others, do not hesitate to let a comment with a link towards them!

Fix Design: Italian brand for horses and riders

Today, I am going to introduce you an Italian brand: Fix Design.

This brand mainly proposes clothes but also have some products for horses, as the saddle pad and the rug that can easily be identified thanks to the nice knots they are embroided with:

Until now, these products only exists in white and navy blue. You can get them from the brand's e-shop  HERE;

The saddle pad costs 47.5€ for show jumping and 50€ for dressage. The rug costs 99€.

Regarding clothes, here is what I outlined (however, the prices are a bit higher than on the products for horses):

Competition jacket: 180€

Sweat-shirt: 89€

The brand also has a facebook page HERE where it posts pictures of the products and gives news about the riders they support (a bit like H&M and the Swedish riders (post here)). They support Valentina Truppa in the dressage category and Natale Chiaudani for show jumping. 

You might have spotted the brand's fence in World Cup step in Italy:

To conclude this short introduction, here is a video presenting a part of the collection and outlining the events where the brand took part in:

Fouganza innovation on the safety vest

I don't know if you wore it too but when I was a kid, I used to ride with a safety vest of this type:

Result: as no clothes could fit under or on the vest, I was finding myself riding in t-shirts in winter... 

This is where Fouganza's innovation makes its entrance!

It is called Safy vest.

It is composed of three products:

-the safety vest

-the vest

-the sleeveless down jacket

The rider wears the vest and the down jacket while taking care of the horse and wears the safety vest and the vest while riding. 

The vest is thin on the body part and thick on the sleeves which makes it possible to wear the safety vest and the vest without getting cold on the arms.

Here is Fouganza's video explaining the way it works:

Brand new saddle pad in Totem's wardrobe!

After having resisted for more than a week and a half to the sales, I went to my favorite saddlery this morning.

Between all the references on sale, I fell for a saddle pad that did not have any discount (of course... it would have been too easy...):

It is the BR Melange Classic saddle pad. It will perfectly fit Totem's dark coat, moreover, I find it super elegant!

Regarding price matters, as we are used to with BR, it is reasonable: 36,9€.

Oh and for those of you who love to match their saddle pads with their ear nets, be reassured, the matching ear net exists :)

Full seat breeches

Today, I decided to write a post about the full seat breeches.

In 14 years of horse-riding, I never tried one before! Some love it, some don't, so I really wanted to make my own opinion on them. 

I purchased my first full seat breech on a equestrian online retailer who always have great offers (its name is Esprit Equitation, in case they start delivering abroad...).

So I bought these trousers for 39.95€:

Let's move to the impression part: when I am not riding, I already feel the difference. These breeches are warmer that the regular ones, which is perfect for winter time! While I was riding, I got the impression that the grip between my saddle and the breeches was better. This helped me to follow my horses moves better.

To sum up, I only got positive appreciations for these full seat breeches!

Fouganza "Riding" breeches

Having stopped horse-riding for while because of my studies abroad, I have had to purchase some new breeches when I started to ride again.

Considering the fact that I ride everyday, I needed several trousers at once. Thus, I could not buy anything too expensive.

I aimed myself at Fouganza breeches and bought two Riding ones. The first is beige, the second is navy blue.

These breeches cost 39.95€ and are really neutral, are easy to wear. They go from size 36 to size 46.

The only defect I could point out is that they come down so when I am not riding I often have to raise them.

Quality is good. I have them since two years now and they are only a bit used at the belt because of the repetitive washing I guess but it is on the inside; some threads dropped out.

I recommend them!

Finding a solid tail brush: Oster did it!

New mission today: finding a solid tail brush. 

After the early disappearance of a few of my tail brushes like the one below: 

I decided to invest in a tail brush that will last for more than a month. I found that special something at Fouganza (the Décathlon horse-riding brand): 

This brush from Oster costed me 7.95€ and is not close to break! 

That makes a year I am using it and it has not moved at all!

Thanks Oster!

You can find the equivalent of this brush on the Dover Saddlery website here.

Let's talk about rugs (again!): presentation of the Bucas Celtic

Now that we are reaching winter temperature and that it is freezing and snowing, I added a rug to Totem: the Celtic from Bucas. 

This rugs exists in different weights:

-Light

-150g (the one I have)

-300g

The rug fits Totem. I chose 155cm for Totem who is around 175cm high.

The rug's technique is interesting, according to the description, we can use it to dry the horse and let it on him afterwards. It would dry really quickly and thus would not be annoying for the horse because of the damp. This is what Bucas call the "Stay-dry" technique.

There also is an anti-bacterial lining that help the rug to stay fresh. The closing system on the chest is quite resourceful. There's a clip "Click'n Go" added to a closing system on top of it (you can check the picture below to see the closing system). 

The rug has attachment points on the neck so that you can add a neck cover when it gets really cold.

Regarding esthetics, the rug looks really nice and I love the red lining! 

Bio-Hautöl from Leovet

To go on with Leovet's products, I am going to talk to you about the "Bio-Haütol" used to calm the itchiness. 

Last week, Totem started to scratch his tail.

Knowing that he had taken a dewormer a short while ago and after having verified that his manure were not contaminated by worms, I tried the "Bio-Haütol".

Bio-Haütol is composed between others by marigold, carrot and St John's wort that stimulates and reinforce the skin and the coat. Biologic sulfur is also included in the composition. Thus, the product reduces itchiness and can also be used to treat dermatite. 

It is presented in a jar. The product is a bit like a liquid cream that has to be applied once or twice a week. 

Positive point: it smells good!

Negative point: Tail is a bit greasy after using it.

It worked really well on Totem who returned to a normal tail after 3 days of use, with only one application per day.

Leovet Detangler

Today, I am going to tell you all about Leovet's detangler "Super force".

This detangler is quite interesting as there is a different one for each coat color.

There's the "red" detangler with chamomile for light coat horse:

And there's also the "black" one with nuts for horses with dark coat: 

These detanglers contain natural color pigments that improve the coat's brightness. 

I have the black one as Totem as a dark coat. The smell is really nice and it makes Totem's coat really shiny!

It costs around 12€ for 500ml. 

I am really starting to appreciate Leovet's products. I'll let you know in a future post my opinion on "Bio-Haütol", another product of the range that helps fighting itchiness, and I had already told you about the Leovet Anti-bite here.

The "untornable" rug: still alive after 5 days living with the Destroyer!

As I explained to you here, I bought Totem a light rug so that his hairs do not grow too much.
Totem being a destroyer, the issue was to find a rug that would resist to his attacks. After listening to the advices of a few friends, I purchased a rug at Gamm'vert, belonging to the Passional brand.

Used in combination with the Leovet Anti-bite spray, it is since wednesday living with Totem the Destroyer. 

It only makes 5 days that Totem and the rug live together, but until now, no loss has to be registered. I do not know if it is the rug that really cannot be torn or if the spray is magical or Totem who leaves his rugs living for a few days to better attack them once they are in trust but for now, it really is perfect!

Let's now talk about the rug itself, because yes, until now, to me, Gamm'vert did not automatically ringed the quality bell in my mind! 

I have been positively surprised with the rug. First of all, the price: 53€.

Then, the rug really is complete, there are adjustable straps under the horse's belly and also behind the hind legs. On the chest, it gets closed thanks to a strap and some clips (see pictures below).

Regarding size matters, it is perfect, it does not squeeze the withers or the chest. It also is a really good outside rugs as it is waterproof and it covers the horse's tail.

I recommend it!

Edit 11/1/13: It is the second season I use the rug on Totem. Everything still is perfect!

Teaser: the all-mighty rug

This article will be dedicated to a promise made by the brand "Passional", who propose a rug that cannot be torn.

Sorry, what did I hear? THAT CANNOT BE TORN???

This is the perfect description to make me purchase it!

Indeed, a month and a half after Totem's arrival, it is time for the rug's step.

After having a description about Totem's behaviour with rugs by his previous owner "do not purchase anything expensibe Juliette, he will destroy it" and the breeder's mail "he hates rugs! A real destroyer!", I had apprehension to put a Rambo or a Bucas on his back.

Thus, I invested in a light rug for the beginning of the temperature fall.

Helped by the advice of my friend, I chose the "Passional" rug, which is due to arrive on Wednesday. Described by the brand as an outdoor rug, it is in nylon 600 denier.

I ordered this rug at Gamm'vert (a French chain store normally known for gardening stuff).

I am putting all my hopes in this rug and hope it will behave as a hero when I will put it on the top of other rugs to protect them from Totem the Destroyer.

Results of the test: Wednesday!

In any cases, if the rug is not resistant enough for Totem the Destroyer, I'll still have the anti-bite spray solution!

Swedish riders strike the pose for H&M

After discovering H&M facebook page entirely dedicated to horses H&M - We love horses (H&M - We love horses), I realised that the brand is really close to the riders it supports. 

For example, they propose us a video of Malin Baryard-Johnssons who introduces us to her horses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QxyTLJ8nOA&feature=plcp

We can also find Peder Fredricson and Malin Baryard-Johnssons presenting the last styles of H&M's collection:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151416625443835.578284.111286593834&type=1

Also, the riders upload pictures of their horses, as Peder Fredericson who shows us a picture of his horse "H&M Holliday" braided mane and congrats her groom on the nice job she did.  

A good way to know a little more about these champions outside the competition environment! 

Velvet's hoof oil

Today, I will tell you about my lastest discovery regarding hoof care: the Velvet oil.
This oil made from laurel oil and cod liver oil (yurk!) that leaves the hoof's elasticity.   

Compared to ointment, oil has the avantage to not freeze in winter. Another good point is that for horses with white marks (sorry I don't know the word for it...) on the legs, you do not need two different of ointments (black and green for example) for the different colored hoofs. The oil matches with both colors of hoofs.

Another nice thing is that the brush is sold with the oil and is directly in it so you do not put oil everywhere when putting the jar in your cupboard. 

The results on my horse's hoofs:



The oil in its natural environment ;)

You can find the oil online here, however I am not quite sure wether they deliver somewhere else that France.