Proof

Ya'll have to go over to Fugly Horse of the Day and have a read. Watch the video. See, you DON'T need a ton of hardware to ride even a high energy, speed event horse. The video is awesome, a roping horse, being ridden bridleless. Sometimes I don't agree with Fugs, but on this, I am totally in accord.

A Veritable Smorgasbord of Tacky

I was browsing my issue of Equus magazine and saw an article featuring a saddle by Alamo saddlery. I was amazed and shocked by the sheer tackiness, so I went online to see if there was more. There was. Unfortunately, the saddle featured in the article was nowhere to be found, but I did find much, much more. Here is a small preview...

Now, if you dare, don your eye protection and click this link to their catalog.

Glowing Green

This thing looks like it ought to glow in the dark, it doesn't of course, that would make sense.



But hey, it comes with a free saddle pad!

Treats - SRF APPROVED!

I have had a request for an ingredient list, these contain whole wheat flour, palm oil, corn syrup, and flavoring (peanut butter, gingerbread, carob, bananna, etc). Some are colored with a bit of food coloring (red or green) and some are yogurt dipped. I will say I have not found a flavor the dog won't eat yet! I also tested them on the Silly Red Filly, she approves of the plain and peanut butter flavor. Not the gingerbread though, she spit that out and made the "yuck" face at me. Here are a couple of pics from the manufacturer of the treats, a local company. I am not at liberty to disclose the name as they don't want it broadcast that they are supplying these treats to the SPCA at no charge for their fundraising efforts (THANK YOU!). If you order the Priority Flat Rate Box, we will stuff as much as we can into it for you!

These are not REAL chocolate, and are perfectly safe for pets!

Central Arkansas SPCA

These fine folks are trying to raise money to build a shelter in Central Arkansas. They could use any help you can give! They have gourmet dog treats for sale $3 for a gallon bag and $1 for a quart. They are all natural, human grade ingredients, contain no meat by products or sugar and come in butter cookie flavor, peanut butter, and carob. Some are yogurt dipped. They are overruns and broken stock from a local canine treat baker. You can find their Facebook group here . We can probably ship you a Priority Flat Rate Box with 6 lbs of treats for $20. These treats are sold at PetSmart for $10 for less than a pound! The dogs LOVE them. You can send a money order payable to Central Arkansas SPCA to PO Box 6232, Jacksonville, AR 72078. Please specify "Cookies", flavor preference, and a return address. Prices are available for larger amounts, please inquire.



My dog, Shiva, very much approves of these treats! She LOVES them.

Kermit the Saddle

You know, if it were just the seat that was green and not the jockeys too, I would actually like this one. I really just don't see the point here. If the leather on the jockeys needs to be "sticky" why not just plain rough out or suede?

And look, if you want to continue the green theme, you can get green stirrups as well.

Cowhide Catastrophe

This would look so weird on a brown and white paint. I am not all about the hair on part on the swells especially. If it were a double skirted saddle, I might could tolerate the lower one being cowhide, but as it, it is a bit overwhelming. Just not my cuppa.

Red, White and Bleh

I have nothing against being patriotic, but this thing is just fugly.

Zig Zag Zebra

Thanks to a reader that sent this. Wow, this set makes my eyes cross and my head hurt. It has zebra print hair on cowhide, rhinestone conchos, the leather is cut in a zig-zag pattern. Ouch, I need some Excedrin...

Sparkly Pink Rhinestones

Here we have a lovely saddle. All synthetic, including the "silver"! No polishing those silver plates again! They are embellished with colored rhinestones for extra "bling" too. It seems to come with this nice pink saddle blanket and a pink and black rhinestone encrusted bridle and breastcollar.

Patchwork

And not in the quilt sense of the word. Wow. I truly am rendered speechless here. I am told this is a super pricey, very nice brand of endurance saddle. In that case WTF are they THINKING??

Hoof Boots Part 2

Above: The EasyBoot Glove

So, I have pored over all the different boots online (who knew there were THAT many!) and have narrowed it down to either the Renegade Hoof Boots (which come in some obnoxious colors) or the Easy Boot Gloves. I like the intergral gaiter on the Renegades, and the fact that water/mud can run out because they are open. They also have a good track record and are popular with endurance riders. The only drawbacks I have been told are the velcro can come undone if you ride through a lot of water/mud. The Gloves I am told can be difficult to fit and allow little to no room for hoof growth. The gaiters are sold seperately (I think) and can rub the horse. So, down to those two, have a look and tell me what yall think.

Above: The Renegade Hoof Boot

Hoof Boots

So, my Silly Red Filly and I went for a trail ride this weekend and while she has really good feet and is about half mountain goat, the rocks did a number on her hooves. I want to get her some hoof boots to provide some extra grip and protect her little toes from getting all chipped up. I have never used them before and am not sure what brand/model to buy. I have looked a the Easyboots (specifically the Glove model) and the Boa horse boots, both are around the same price, but the Easyboots have the little gaitor thing that goes around their pastern to help keep them on. Do any of you guys have experience using them? My questions are...

How long do they hold up?
Do they stay on well?
Do they affect the horse's gait any?
Are they better than metal shoes for rocky ground?

Accessories Make the Outfit

I found the matching bridle and breastcollar for the leopard print saddle from last week. Awesome huh? Actually the bridle and breastcollar by themselves wouldn't be OVERLY offensive, but combine this with the saddle, and eek, overkill.