Ears To Hooves Hansel Is Protected

May 28, 2012

I wouldn’t say Hansel is a full-on prima donna but he is a well cared for equine. I spend more time analyzing his feeding program than my own and he has an assortment of products and services that cater to making his life comfy for the well-tuned athlete that he is. I turned him out the other day and had to snap the picture as he looked like a NASCAR driver with all the branding that was all over him. From his ears to down to his hooves he was well adorned with proper horse care products. Starting at his ears he has his Absorbine Ultrashield Fly Mask with Ears Horse which I’ve gotten THREE seasons out of thus far and it’s still going strong and showing no signs of wear after repeat machine wash and dryer cycles. Wow!

Then there is his Kool Coat Airstream Detach-A-Neck Fly Sheet which I go off and on with the neck quite easily depending upon how much wind and heat we have. I’ve also gotten THREE seasons out of this one and it too washes and dries über well! In fact it’s in the dryer now and ready to go on him after training this morning!

Next we move down to the leg wraps where he gets turned out in his Professional’s Choice Leather Protective Boot which are likewise in the wash ready for dryer and post training use in his turn out. I really like the fleece on the inside of these especially in the hot summer months as they breath well and keep bacteria down as a result!

I’m definitely in love with his Professional’s Choice Quick-Wrap Bell Boots as they get used almost all day whether it’s in training or turn out. I’ve had this pair for going on 3 years now and they are in SUPER condition. I’ve really been considering getting him 2 pairs in white for training as they don’t roll, don’t rub, apply easy, stay on, and wash well!

Hansel’s Davis Bell Boots are super for his turn out. He doesn’t train in them as he’s such a BIG mover they tend to rub on the occasion and I try to keep in check with any friction caused from training. But for turn out they just hose off outdoors, hang dry and are ready for their next use. They definitely offer a stellar protection options.

As for his all over protection, my favorite fly spray is Absorbine UltraShield range with my favs from that range being the Green and the EX. I actually spritz the Green on myself pre-rides to help with personal fly detering. I posted a coupon you can print online at http://blog.horsegirltv.com/2012/05/absorbine-printable-coupon/ and I believe it’s good for both online and local tack store shopping!

 

What Are Your Solutions To Controlling Flies Around Your Stable?

May 28, 2012

This is your chance to share.

Please post below what your solutions to controlling flies around the stable are.

I always love hearing and sharing solutions!

Thanks in advance for sharing systems or protocols for taming flies at the farm!

Scoll to read comments and post your own below ↓

Absorbine Printable Coupon

May 28, 2012

In the midst of the first wave of the onslaught of flies for the season, I thought it good to share a coupon I found for Absorbine Fly Spray! You can just print it out and take it in to your local retailer! If you want to read more about the options Absorbine has, they have recently remodeled their site and it looks just stellar. Their fly education page is at http://www.absorbine.com/products/fly-control

I am preparing to get a horse. What would be some basic things a city girl like me should know?

May 22, 2012

I seriously have the kewlest fans ever! Allison sent me an awesome video recently and asked this question, “I am just starting out and preparing to get a horse, and my dad is an expert. But just in case, what would be some basic things a city girl like me should know that I need to approach the new horse with?”

Well first off Allison. Thanks for the video! I LOVED meeting you horses and getting the tour of your stable! It reminded me of my stable when I was younger and living with my parents in Texas dreaming of owning my first horse! Thanks for letting me share it with other fans of HorseGirlTV as well. Check out Allison stable tour and meet her horses below…

Now to answer your question with some questions you should ask yourself. Owning and caring for a horse (another living breathing creature that doesn’t live in your house with you like the dogs and cats) is a BIG responsibility. Before anyone should go out horse shopping, these basic questions need to be answered so you know what you’re looking for and have a basic plan of care and career with your first horse.

  • What type of riding do I want to do? English or Western. Competition or trail? Perhaps working in-hand at halter?
  • Do you know anyone in your area well educated in the horse world that can guide you? Who? What are their credentials?
  • How do you know if you’re buying a healthy and sound horse? This is where you can work with a veterinarian.
  • Where is your horse going to live? Do you have land and proper shelter for a horse or will you find a local boarding stable? How much does it cost?
  • Have you studied horse grooming, nutrition and know the basics of first aid? Whether you board or not this is a good skill-set to have.
  • Buying the horse is often not the challenging part, especially if you have the assistance of a well-educated professional. Knowing how to properly care for a horse and all the expenses involved is where the challenge is. Create a spreadsheet with all the monthly bills you’ll incur like feed, stabling, tack repair, grooming supplies, supplements, semi-annual vet visits for shots, lessons, blacksmith every 5-8 weeks.

These questions are not to overload a first time buyer but rather educate them before going out to look at OHHHHH too cute ponies and horses, fall in love, buy them before having a plan for their life with you. 🙂

I’ve been fortunate to interview some top industry professional over the years and have actually interview both a western (reining) pro about horse shopping as well as a english (dressage) pro about the same. You can watch these episodes to see more supplemental horse shopping info on each. They are respectively, International Horse Shopping For Sport Horses with Geoff Butler and How To Reining Horse Shop with Mike McEntire.

Also, there’s quite a few books out there on buying your first horse as well as caring for them. I’ve heard good things about these first three and the second three are some of my favorite horse story novels:


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Thanks so much for your questions Allison! Best of luck with finding the perfect first horse for YOU!

As always, suggestions or comments on this blog are welcome and you can send me questions via the Contact Page. For day to day, you can Follow me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook OR Like HorseGirlTV on Facebook too!

Every Tuesday, I sends subscribers a curated email containing my favorite blogs, episode, special offers and more. All the kewl peeps are doing it! If you want to join 12,700+ of your peers subscribe below ↓

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It’s HorseGirlTV’s Birthday & You Receive The Presents!

May 14, 2012

The new media company that could, HAS! My HorseGirlTV® has survived two recessions, has it’s 6th season “in the can” ready for editing and is looking towards a super 2013 season re-defining the direction of the show! So it’s our 5 year birthday AND 100th episode celebration and YOU get the presents. We’re giving away over $1000 in prizes. Check them out below and a big thanks to those that donated items!

How do you enter?.. Just subscribe to my new weekly life & style guide (← click that) and you’re automatically entered! If you want TWO chances dropped in the ole top hat drawing then just follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/HorseGirlTV) and Tweet this (just copy and paste below)…

@HorseGirlTV is turning 5 yrs & launching 100th episode. I want gifts! I’m entering 2 win over $1000 in prizes. Pls RT http://bitly.com/hgtv5yrs

There’s no purchase necessary and you can only subscribe once. Whatever special giveaway rules your state, province or country might have would apply to you and HorseGirlTV asks that you cover the actual shipping cost of your item.

I’m so very proud of our 100th episode! I interviewed Para-Equestrian Olympic hopeful Dale Dedrick and she was fabulous to chat with, the whole thing was a super education and you can watch it below OR watch and read more from the official page at Meet London 2012 Olympic Para-Equestrian Dressage Hopeful, Dale Dedrick.

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How many times do you ride a day? What’s your training schedule like?

May 14, 2012

Mari recently emailed in and asked me “How many times do you ride a day? What’s your training schedule like?” I receive this question frequently from fans. There’s a TON of factors that go into this question so I’m going to break it down a bit more than simply # of horses and basic training schedule. Here goes…

Maximize your time to get the best training you possibly can. Don’t extend yourself too far.
Right now, my schedule only permits time for one horse so I focus my energies on my 2005 gelding that I imported as an unbroke 4 year old several years back with the help of my BFF Geoff at Unique Sport Horses. So in short, I only ride 1 horse per day at this time. In my perfect world, I think riding two advanced horses daily would be optimum fitness for both me and the horses but I make it work with just my gelding Hansel (think Zoolander and “Hansel. So hot right now. Hansel.”). I’d like to think he enjoys my training world revolving around him! 🙂

Define a clear goal and go for it.
Because my goal is to compete in USEF High Performance Dressage, just riding isn’t enough for my personal fitness so I developed a program inspired from my time in the yoga studio, my early years training in ballet and jazz and my body building training comprised around core development to create equibarre. It’s the ballet barre workout for equestrians and we’re actually in editing for the DVD at this time. My wardrobe was SUPER comfy FITS Full Seat PerforMAX™ Cadet Breeches! Thanks FITS! It will be officially launched and promoted with my amazing friends and supporters from Absorbine at this year’s November Equine Affair but I’ll post on my blog about pre-orders once they are available. All that aside, I do equibarre workout here at home with the jump (AKA ballet barre), occasionally head into town to visit the yoga studio and was thinking about starting a dance class as I simply love to dance! The emotional release for me alone is completely worth it!


(PHOTO from equibarre fitness & workout DVD – FITS PerforMAX™ courtesy FITS – Wintec Isabell courtesy Wintec/Bates)

Create a schedule and follow it.
Since my work occupies my mind significantly, I prefer to ride in the mornings so I can start the day with my training then regroup my efforts to work, breaking only for quick feed preps. I ride six days per week at this time, weather permitting or not (although I am smart enough not to ride if it’s lightning outside). I give myself and my horse one day off to relax. In regards to specifics of my training, I don’t have a set schedule every week. I journal my rides even if it’s taking just a few notes about how something felt so I have a good chronicle of my progress. My goals have been aggressive these last several years and it was a bit ambitious to start an unbroke 5 year old and now, 2 years later, be schooling the PSG. The first half year of training was averaging 3 rides weekly then up to 4 or 5 then up to 6 and it was really last September when he started to give the feel of an FEI horse. If the walk, trot and canter feel good enough earlier in the week then I might try schooling some movements but I’ve really tried to keep my focus on quality gates because a half pass is seriously effortless when you have the proper walk, trot and canter going!

Determine your logistical setup and improve it if you can.
I am very fortunate to live, work and train at the same facility. My horses are in the stable about 40 meters behind my house. I’m so lucky to have top quality GGT footing installed by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces so the training surface is brilliant! I work with HorseGirlTV full time and am also working on my novel part time on weekends so being able to manage my own feeding program, care for my horses and watch them in turn out while I work is absolutely brilliant!

Do remember, it’s not only the training but also nutrition of the athletes that are important.
It’s been an education over the last couple years to determine the best nutritional profile for Hansel. When he arrived, he was 16 hands. He’s now at least, if not over, 17 hands so growing 4 inches in 2 years is significant. I studied a variety of feeds, supplements and concepts and upon returning back north from the winter in Wellington, I switched him over from processed feeds to whole foods and I haven’t looked back! Because I live and work at my stable, I have the time to drop feed 3 times daily and with the whole foods it’s as easy as 2 cups of this, 1 cup of that, 1 cup of that mixed in with my soaked beet pulp and flaxseed and voila, a nutrition whole feed is prepared and I’m empowered because I know what I put in the mix! He gets his daily paste of SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program and he loves it! I also feed him some BioStar EQ supplements and I decided to go with these guys because they work hard to seek out the best quality whole foods products in the preparation of the supplements plus they are fair trade friendly which makes it an even bigger win! Likewise, I’ve been doing my best to focus my personal nutrition plan towards whole foods and away from processed and packaged. It’s been an interesting challenge to avoid processed sugar since it’s in almost EVERYTHING! Again, back to the whole foods.


(PHOTO from equibarre fitness & workout DVD – FITS PerforMAX™ courtesy FITS – Wintec Isabell courtesy Wintec/Bates)

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what I’d strive for in my perfect training plan. I’ve already started developing this next seasons series for HorseGirlTV and I think we’re going to focus on what sort of support it takes to make a winning team. It’s SO much more than just a talented horse and rider! For me, I’d like to go be invited to Gladstone someday making the top 15 in either Small or even Big tour but the what it takes component is the same whether you’re goal is to drive down the road for a schooling show or fly to the Olympics!

As always, suggestions or comments on this blog are welcome and you can send me questions via our contact page at http://contact.horsegirltv.com/.

What Type Of Horse Tack Trunk, Box Or Armoire Do You Use? HorseGirlTV® Fan Mail Answered

May 10, 2012

I get tons of fan mail from all over the world asking questions about me, about the series and offering suggestions for future episode, site or blog ideas and I work hard to keep up with personally replying to them all. I thought it fun to pick a question here or there and answer on my blog so here goes. This week it’s from Claire in Atlanta, Georgia. She emails,

“My Rubbermaid tack trunk just broke down after lots of abuse and I was wondering what kind of tack trunk you would advise along with how you would organize it. I am boarding my horse at a barn and I don’t have to keep my saddle in my trunk but everything else including; wraps, grooming, bathing, saddle pads, bridle, etc. Thanks so much, and i LOVE the show, Claire”

Thanks very much for the email Claire! You send in some super questions and I’ve enjoyed answering them for you! I have actually had the same two tack trunks the last several years and they have traveled with me to New York, flown over and back to The Netherlands, driven down to Wellington as well as up to Maryland and have held up SUPER well. They are your basic Contico lockable plastic trunks with wheels that I bought from my local hardware store each for under $70! Mine looks much like the one posted.

Now this is not to say that I haven’t fantasized about an elite hunter jumper style barn tack trunk running upwards of $800 as I have, but I’ve ended up focusing my horse finances on training and the best equipment rather than an elite, more than just functional, fancy place to put all my top equipment. I’ve seen the traditional tack trunks through the years and they generally hold up incredibly well and if you have grooms to schlep them around for you, then you’re golden!

In my surfing, I came across this website that sells plans for building your own and it seems they have a wide variety of options and have sold plans to quite a few people. Maybe they will send me some? Hmmm? Looks like the architects name is Bill and his testimonials page that I landed on is at http://www.elitetackdesign.com/PBTrunks.html and there’s several neat variations of his original plans published on this page. My favorite is the top one made by Don Cogzill for his granddaughter (pictured).

While training in The Netherlands as well as living in Madrid, I gained an appreciation for the metal rolling cases! It was one stop unpacking to the competitions when your lorrie rolled up, you simply unloaded the horse and rolled off your metal tack armoire with massive locking casters and voila! Unpack complete and ready to school! These are challenging to find stateside but not impossible and I’ve thought when I finally break down and invest in a “proper” tack trunk I’ll go this route with a small to medium sized version large enough for 1 saddle, 2 bridles, heaps of polos, standing wraps, misc training gear and a plethora of saddle pads as well as my boots & helmet too. Sounds like I’m leaning to the medium size on my wish list! So far I’ve only found pictures of the small metal version but you’ll get the idea. They seem nearly indestructible and come with easy tie downs for the horse box or air cargo rides you might have in your future! So, if you’re thinking of a holiday or birthday present for me, think no further! 😉 You can try contacting these guys at http://www.everythingbutthehorsellc.com. I don’t know anything about them but if you do, please share the info with me!

Lastly, while I’m on the role of wish lists, I’ve came across the most brilliant soft sided cases at Oughton Limited. While these “tack trunks” seem far to posh for your horse gear they are sure to inspire the organized, packing junkie inside all of us! Whether you winter in Wellington, ride the HITS Circuit, take frequent trips aboard, or even just drive down the road to the local schooling competition, this Rolling Tack Trunk from Oughton Limited is AMAZING (in the photos as least as I haven’t been fortunate enough to see this one in person!). It seems large enough to accommodate weeks on the road and their description boasts, “astonishingly large amount of tack and organization required when traveling with horses inspired the versatile Rolling Tacktrunk Bag. Made of waxed canvas trimmed in premium bridle leather and imported bronze fittings, the Rolling Tacktrunk is the ideal piece of luggage for riders. Pack all your street clothes and sundries for several weeks of showing or saddle, boots, hat, and more. Special padded bottom to protect your saddle.” so in fact one can transport tack in this lucious looking piece of luggage art if they so desired. I’ve emailed with them a bit this week and they are so nice! You can check out their website at http://www.oughtonlimited.com.

Well, Claire, thanks again for the many questions you’ve sent in. I hope my replies have been helpful and I hope you find this post equally as helpful. If you’d like to send in a question, you can do so at http://contact.horsegirltv.com and select “Ask Angelea” so it will get forward to me directly!

Cheers, happy spring & in case you haven’t already, please subscribe to my weekly Equestrian Life, Style & Culture Guide. It’s free!

Every Tuesday, I sends subscribers a curated email containing my favorite blogs, episode, special offers and more. All the kewl peeps are doing it! Join heaps of your peers! Enter your name, email & click Subscribe



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My Baby Is All Grown Up!

May 10, 2012

This picture of one of Picollo’s birthday parties was too cute not to post but it’s not his birthday for a few more months! It is HorseGirlTV’s birthday. This month, 5 years ago, HorseGirlTV was born to the world of the Internet and she hasn’t looked back since! Not only is this a 5 year celebration but the 100th episode is launching this month too and, as if that’s not enough, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration if there were not some fabulous gifts. The gifts will be given to you, yes YOU, because my fans are the best fans on the planet and Team HorseGirlTV is so very thankful for you!

What can you win?
Well, I queried our Facebook fans and this is what we came up with from their feedback. How about…

Any of these can be yours and entering is FREE and simple! As for the how, well, my gift to HorseGirlTV for turning a very mature Internet 5 years old, is an effort to bring her into a more sophisticated light. I’ve began curating a weekly Equestrian Life, Style & Culture Guide and you might be reading this because you’ve received the pilot version. If so, WELCOME and THANKS for subscribing and you’re ALREADY entered to win any of the gifts above. So the simple part of entering? Just subscribe to my new weekly email guide (← click that) and you’re automatically entered! If you want TWO chances dropped in the ole top hat drawing then just follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/HorseGirlTV) and Tweet this (just copy and paste below)…

@HorseGirlTV is turning 5 yrs & launching 100th episode. I want gifts! I’m entering 2 win over $1000 in prizes. Pls RT http://bitly.com/hgtv5yrs

There’s no purchase necessary and subscribing more than once won’t improve your odds of winning. Whatever special giveaway rules your state, province or country might have would apply to you and HorseGirlTV asks that you cover the actual shipping cost of your item.

BTW, Picollo will be 12 years old this year and although he has a significant amount of gray around the chin he’s still as spry as he was in the 4 year old birthday picture on this blog. He has more energy than an able bodied dog and definitely a massive heart.

Happy Birthday HorseGirlTV and a huge thanks to YOU, our fans, for making these the most spectacular last 5 years! Good luck!

Get your weekly dish of equestrian life & style!

May 4, 2012

We just launched the latest HorseGirlTV Classics Life Of A Modern Day Cowboy In America with Richard Damon. This is a brilliant throw back to early HorseGirlTV content shot in the beautiful Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley.
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For those ever curious about my day to day, I’ve decided to work on a “what I eat” journal to empower my desire to shift away from processed and towards whole foods. The first entry, The Path To Whole Foods – What I Ate Today is online at http://blog.horsegirltv.com.

After a fabulous and compact winter in Wellington, it’s made me want to do some serious streamlining with my personal and equine lifestyle therefore, I’ve gone through my closets and tack room and am listing TONS of items on eBay at http://bitly.com/WellyFund. I’ve decided the funds will go in my special “Wellington Fund” for upcoming training. Items include some seriously rocking breeches and other fine apparel both new and previously worn, horse saddles, bridles, pads, books & DVDs, technical gear including and upcoming listing for my iPhone 3GS as well as possibly my iPad!

In the spirit of shopping we’re going to start re-defining the HorseGirlTV Webshop. Yes, I was surprised to find out that many fans had NO idea we have a Webshop selling HorseGirlTV Official Merchandise, fantastic apparel and even offer the absolute BEST price (meeting and beating any regular advertised price) on SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program. Check it out at shop.horsegirltv.com/ and get your buy and click on!

Some of you guys know I’m a candidate in the USDF L Program. It’s my life long dream to be an international rider and make the top 12 to represent at Gladstone so I’m not 1000% about becoming an official judge. That said, the education the L Program imparts is amazing and I’m really enjoying the process. I have the best scribe in the industry and look forward to completing the program here soon. At least the Part I is a must for anyone looking for the insiders/judges view of riding tests. It’s a firehose of information but the content is fabulous. Last weekend I attended the D2 session in Houston and was fortunate enough to watch Courtney King-Dye have a go at obtaining a qualifying spot for London 2012 Para-Equestrian Olympics. Here’s the tweet picture of her freestyle https://twitter.com/horsegirltv/.

TGIF and a super weekend to you all! Happy Derby!

The Path To Whole Foods – What I Ate Today

May 3, 2012

AM:

  • 1 cup Kona French Press Coffee
  • 1 cup Plain Organic Yogurt w/ Amber Agave Nectar, Museli, touch of Organic Gluten free vanilla
  • 1 banana
  • (prep time, including coffee bean grind 7 minutes)

Lunch:

  • 1 crisy whole wheat, no sugar added, waffer w/ no sugar added peanut butter
  • 2 handfuls of pistachios
  • 1 blended – handful of blueberries, 5 strawberries, 1 Tbsp. no sugar added, plain, organic yogurt & 1/2 cup almond milk & crushed ice
  • (prep time 4 minutes)

Snack:

  • Left over 100% whole wheat pasta with homemade margherita sauce
  • Shot of wheatgrass
  • 2400mg Fish Oil

Dinner:

  • Oatmeal w/ apple, cinnamon, blueberries, almond milk & agave nectar

Snack:

  • Plain popcorn w/ Brewer’s yeast