So I’ve had these breeches for a few weeks now and what better time to trial them in the delightful weather we’ve been experiencing recently.
If you’ve read any of my blogs you’ll know I’m a huge fan of the Montar clothing, so it will come as no surprise that I absolutely love these breeches.
I have spent hours our in the wind and rain, riding, teaching and mucking out in these breeches over the last few weeks and can honestly say they are an essential for anyone’s equestrian wardrobe.
I’m am extremely fussy when it comes to breeches. I hate anything that is tight and restrictive especially over my knees but these breeches are super comfy and offer plenty of stretch.
These breeches are wind resistant, water repellent and fleece lined making them perfect for the winter. The fabric is also moisture wicking so no need to worry about over heating while riding or going about your yard duties.
I absolutely love the fit, the high waist is designed to fit perfect and look flattering (which is always a bonus).
I was slightly worried about washing them as most fleeces can go “bobbly” once washed, but this is yet to happen. Having only one pair means I’m forever washing them as I’m slightly obsessed with them.
RRP for these breeches is £114, which I think is a complete bargain in comparison to lots of other brands on the market. They are available in five different colours and come with a full silicone seat.
Summary
My favourite thing about these breeches? I love everything about these breeches, I can’t actually find a fault in them. They are perfect for winter!
Would I recommend these breeches? Absolutely, they are an essential for any equestrian wardrobe.
Are they value for money? 100%, dare I say they are actually cheap for what they are? I will definitely be investing in another pair.
]]>The first word that comes to mind when describing this rug is BEAUTIFUL. It’s the perfect choice to keep your horse clean and warm.
I have to admit that I didn’t actually want to put it on my horses as a stable rug as it’s so beautiful, so I’ve kept it for best and I only use it at shows, that way they look posh when sleeping away. I personally feel that the rug could be used as a travel rug as it is beautifully lined and looks the part.
The rug is lined with artificial rabbit skin, which to touch feels absolutely amazing, I only wish they did coats for people as nice as they make their rugs! This unique lining helps keep the horses warm and is perfect for horses with sensitive skin like my main horse Ozzie, helps prevent rubbing and also keeps the coat shiny – perfect for pre competition!
Even with the beautiful faux rabbit skin lining this stable rug is machine washable (at 30 degrees), so no need to worry if they are pigs in the stable like some of my horses!
RRP for this rug is £147.00
Summary
My favourite thing about this rug? The artificial rabbit skin lining, you actually have to feel it to believe how beautiful it is.
Would I recommend this rug? Absolutely, i only wish they made clothing range for people. The rug is made beautifully and I would highly recommend Kentucky Horseware in future. My top horse has lots of allergies and very sensitive skin so I’m delighted to have found a rug that suits his sensitive skin.
Is this rug value for money? Yes, at first I thought it was quite a bit of money to spend on a stable rug (especially a 0g stable rug), but having used the rug I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one. The quality is second to none!
]]>Working as a groom for a family of event riders, means that I spend my days outside in all weather, and for the last year, every time it has rained, regardless of whether I have been wearing a “Waterproof Jacket” or not, I get soaked! I put water proof jacket in quotes, because even though they say they are waterproof, within an hour of being in the rain, it has soaked through to my skin and I’ve had to ensure that I have at least 2 extra jackets with me to make sure I stay dry!
I wasn’t even aware of the Kingsland Classic transparent Rain Jacket until I became a Brand Ambassador for Equissimo and saw it on the website along with a product review! However Summer was in full swing and there was no rain in sight for the foreseeable future – but knowing that living in England rain would most definitely be on the way at some point, I decided to buy one anyway! Can you imagine how frustrating it was when it arrived, and the rain didn’t! It sat in my car for a month just looking pretty in it’s waterproof casing!
However, I didn’t have to wait much longer to use it, as the rain arrived!! I was super excited to see just how waterproof the jacket was, and I wasn’t disappointed at all! This jacket kept me extremely dry in the heaviest of downpours, it also kept me protected from the wind, and also it kept me beautifully warm on the overcast days where the wind chill was rather high! What more could I want? On top of all of that, it was comfortable to ride in, and wasn’t too noisey, so that when I was riding there was not rustling to spook Sharp!
This jacket is only £38.00 and comes with complimentary free delivery…. BARGAIN!!
So in Summary:
Is this Jacket Value for money? Absolutely, I have bought plenty of jackets that claim to be waterproof, that cost A LOT more than £38 – This Kingsland Jacket has been tested in various different scenarios over the last month and I can categorically state that it is 100% waterproof – It’s the best £38 I have spent ever!
What’s my favourite thing about this Jacket? - I would have to say my favourite thing is that it is Lightweight and easy to clean, but it also comes with a fabulous case that is small enough to store in my car, so that I have access to this Jacket whenever the Rain starts, and it can travel with me everywhere out of sight of any passengers!!
Would I recommend this Jacket? – Yes Absolutely 1005 I would recommend this Jacket to others – in fact I already have.. I believe every single person who has horses in their life whether as a hobby of work, should have one of these jackets in their car or lorry, so when those heavens open you can be protected from getting a soaking!! 😊
]]>I’m a big believer and making yard work as easy as possible, especially in Winter, so when your horse is in his stable and your grooming, tacking up or filling up his water, and for whatever reason – it’s pouring with rain – I find it so annoying having to open and close the stable door, to make sure said horse doesn’t escape. For many years, I have used a rubber covered door chain, which enables me to keep the door open and still be able to access the stable without Sharp escaping – so much easier!!
However, since becoming a brand ambassador for Equissimo, and discovering the beautiful Kentucky Horsewear brand, the one essential item on my priority buy list, was the stable guard, and so I bought one! There are a few out there on the market, but the Kentucky one is simply divine! It is stunning to look at, made of quality durable material and reinforced rings with nylon straps, that are easily shortened so that the Guard fits snugly across most stable doors. Ours are slightly narrower than your average stable door, and yet it is easy to adjust it so that it fits correctly!
But what impressed me most, was that Sharp was happy and relaxed from the minute it went up. I was a bit worried about how he would react, as when I first installed the chain, he refused to even put his head out over it unless the stable door was closed! He also doesn’t lean against the guard at all, whereas he was very happy to lean on the chain, and I was always worried that it may break especially as the clips started to rust within weeks. I have had the Kentucky Stable Guard for at least 8 weeks now and no sign of the clips or rings rusting at all.
In summary:
Is the stable Guard Value for money? Yes, absolutely it is! It’s more expensive than the stable chains, but the extra money is worth it for the quality of the materials used, and its machine washable, so you can keep it looking fabulous and clean all year round!
What do I like most about the stable guard? – Well not only is it pure quality, but its rather eye catching too, and looks fabulous when I am walking round the yard. It also shows Sharp that there is a barrier across the door, and he certainly can’t get underneath it and escape – plus the material is beautifully soft as with all Kentucky Horsewear Items!
Would I recommend the Stable Guard? – 100% yes I would recommend this stable guard – for anyone looking for ease of access into the stable whilst your horse is in there, without having to open and close the stable door – don’t buy a rubber covered stable chain – rather but the Kentucky Horsewear Stable Guard, I haven’t looked back and love the fact that I can duck under it quickly whilst Sharp is in the stable safe in the knowledge that he can’t follow me!!
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Wow wow, wow, is all I can say!
Since moving back to the UK from South Africa with Sharp, I have had to replace and buy pretty much everything from scratch for him, as shipping rugs over from SA was just not an option, and I wasn’t 100% sure whether they would actually arrive in the UK – you just can’t risk it! So having replaced his stable rugs and turnout rugs and everything else that goes with him, the one thing that I have been longing for is a decent stable rug that is smart enough to use as a show and Travelling rug!
Firstly, I will just say that having bought this rug – it is too gorgeous to ruin by ever using it as a stable rug for Mr Sharp – he is too disgusting and will most probably trash it, and I just can’t do that!! So therefore, this rug will be used for when Sharp and I travel to Shows and clinics!
This beautiful rug features an artificial rabbit skin lining which helps Sharp stay warm by trapping air in micro pockets. The lining is ideal for sensitive horses as it is very soft and helps prevents rubbing – great news for Sharp as he is very sensitive indeed, especially when clipped! The soft hairs of the artificial rabbit skin also has helped Sharp’s coat shine – it’s amazing.
I was slightly worried that being a 0g fill rug, that he may get a bit cold when travelling, however the micro pockets that trap the air, really do work, and he has been kept snug and warm each time we have travelled anywhere! So now I am really looking forward to taking him out to some shows and Clinics over the winter, as we can look super smart at the show ground, rather than stick out like a sore thumb in an old fleece – like we used to!!
In summary:
Is this Rug Value for Money? – Absolutely it is, it’s gorgeous to look at with durable outer fabric, and extremely soft artificial Rabbit fur lining, that is machine washable at 30 – I haven’t as yet washed it as have only used it twice, but have no fear to do so, as I believe in the Kentucky Range. It keeps Sharp warm and toasty even with 0g filling and is a top-quality product that doesn’t have the extortionate price tag!!
What do I love most about this rug? – The artificial rabbit fur lining without a doubt!! It’s soft and luxurious to touch, it also helps keep the shine on Sharp’s coat, as well as keeping him warm, but most of all the lining gives me piece of mind, as it is ideal for Sharp’s sensitive skin, and I know that it won’t cause him any discomfort or rubs!
Would I recommend this rug to others? – Yes 150% I would recommend this rug to others – its Is ideal for travelling and keeping your horses warm whilst at clinics and shows, its lightweight and durable, and as with all Kentucky products it is machine washable at 30 and so can look sparkly clean always! Finally, it is just absolutely beautiful to look at and really does stand out on your horse in a crowd for all the right reasons – what more could you ask for?!
I will certainly be saving up for all the other rugs in the Kentucky range, to complete the set!!
]]>These gloves are a complete life saver this winter already, The palm is waterproof and they are fleeced lined inside, so they keep your hands perfectly warm and dry (unless you completely dump your hands in a water bucket – top tip = don’t do this) Because they are work gloves they are great to get dirty and muddy and they wash up great, they also dry quickly if you do wash them.
They are very hard wearing, so you can pretty much do everything with them as they have rubber palms which give you amazing grip and protection on your hands, with them also being lightweight they do not restrict you unlike ski gloves which I previously used.
Not only are they great to wear around the yard, they are also great for riding in the winter too, with the Rubber that is on the palms this goes along the fingers and round more, giving you grip and protection from the reins.
What Is the Sizing like? They come up true to size, I really wanted some and Medium was out of stock so I went with a Large and these still fit, but just not as a snug fit the medium would be.
Who would these suit? Everyone and Anyone, Man and Female, Child and Adult. And the best thing is they don’t even have to be used just for the equine industry! They would be also great to use to do some gardening or even walking the dog.
Would I recommend these? I’m hoping from the above you would have noticed I would highly recommend these for anyone that is outside in these cold winter months.
My Rating out of 10 would be 9. If they was fully waterproof all the way round they defiantly would achieve or over achieve being 10 out of 10
]]>What can I Say about Montar, if you have read my other reviews on the breeches, they are a new brand for me, and I love the quality and my collection is certainly getting bigger! I don’t know how they can offer the prices they do with the quality they have! It really knocks a lot of brands out of the water!
So let’s start off with the T shirt.
Straight away the biggest give away is the slogan, as it is perfect for me “guys before Horses” and I'm sure this is the case for many of others too. It is also set on a lovely dusty pink so I newt I was going to love the top. Best thing about this dusty pink, its also a great hit with riders that don’t normally wear or like pink! So lets move onto the material which is the key thing when buying clothing. The material is the best material out of all my tops I own it really is high quality and fits amazing. It is great for the stables but also with a nice pair of jeans! But for now, I will be keeping this for good wear and not the stables just yet.
Swiftly moving onto the belt as this matches the top too, but I also love because I love belts. The colour is divine, it is a lovely chocolate and caramel colour. It has a nice stretch and fully adjustable to your size.
The good thing with this belt not only does it look goo with non horsey cloths, it is also amazing for riding, due to having the stretch, when your riding and jumping they stretch with your position, so this makes it ideal for us riders. Comfort is key.
But fear not if brown is not your colour you want a different colour they also come them in the following colours; Black/grey, Navy/blue, Ruby red
]]>I was desperate for a new Turnout rug for Bailey – although mine was perfectly useable it was now old – When I say old, I’m talking 15 years old. It has been such a long time I have bought a turnout rug I really had no idea what brand to go without paying a fortune the price ranges for rugs are £40-400! I have had Mark Todd rugs in the past but Bailey out grew them, and he grown into my old horses’ rugs, I didn’t have the need to buy any which was perfect for me at the time as saved me lots of money, but it has got me out of the game to buy new rugs, as some brands really are not like they use to be 15 years ago! I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on a Rug and I didn’t have any brands in mind, I started looking to see what other horses was wearing, and moved onto the Mark Todd, which now I have I think the Mark Todd rug is very under-priced. It is made superbly with every feature thought of. At £85 for the rug and an extra £32 for the neck you can’t go wrong, this will be my first winter using it, but a second year for a couple of my friend’s horses so I know they will certainly last.
The size is true to size, I got the rug without a neck as this year I really wanted to try winter without a neck. They have a good ripstop fabric which is perfect when my boys play fight nonstop or I would go through rugs daily!
Its also great if you love rugs to match as you can get it in lightweight, heavy weight as well as this Medium weight in the same style and design, just a slightly different check line for each weight.
If you prefer a combo rug which has the neck attached – they have even though of this and make these too.
]]>I love gloves, and actually can no longer ride without them. If I forget my gloves I genuinely struggle to establish a decent elastic contact as I'm always too busy faffing with my reins, not to mention that I will always end up with blisters, especially between my 4th and little fingers. Trust me when I say that the alcohol gel I use at work and blisters ARE NOT the one!!
I am super fussy with my gloves. I cannot abide big bulky gloves at all, you know the ones where you cannot even bend your fingers or the seams are so chunky they almost double your hand size? I have found with both my boys that having a soft and consistent contact is so important and find bulky gloves are a nightmare to maintain this
The Kingsland gloves literally tick every box for me. The materials are the usual high standard I have come to expect from the brand. The fingers of the gloves have a nice soft feel, are flexible without being bulky and fit my hands snugly allowing me to use both single and double reins while maintaining the contact I need with my horses. There’s sections of super stretchy material over the knuckles and other areas that come under higher levels of tension when riding, meaning that without doubt these are the most comfortable gloves I have ever worn for riding. The simple one touch Velcro closure means adjusting the wrist to fit however is comfortable for you is as simple process.
What I am particularly impressed with is how hard wearing they are. I use them every time I ride, using plaited and rubber grip reins and where I have found other gloves quickly wear through these are still going strong months after I bought them. They wash up like new every single time and really don’t show any signs of wear and tear at all. I love them so much I need a white pair for competition!
]]>I love my Montar bridles, so when I saw their collection of browbands at BETA last year I knew it wouldn’t be a case of ‘do I need one?’ its more a question of which ones do I need! They have different styles from the mighty browband – which are the ones I have, but also come with a higher number of stones in the passion browband, or for something a little bit different I really like the moonrock browbands.
The leather used is of the same high quality Sedgewick as their bridles and is soft and flexible right out of the packaging, no oiling needed. They have adopted the popper technology so swapping browbands takes seconds and can be done with your bridle on or off your horse. The poppers even have a cute little montar logo on them which I absolutely adore. They also have a lovely curved shape to them which, as with all montar leather work, is anatomically designed to ensure no pressure or tight points.
I have had many different types of bling browband before and have suffered problems with loosing stones which makes what should be an expensive browband look, quite frankly, rubbish. I am pleased to say that having had a close look at the mountings of the crystals on these browbands they look much more secure than others I have seen. This means the crystals are far less likely to fall out, and I have had one for ‘everyday’ which shows no signs of loosening or damage around the stones even after being used almost daily for a few weeks.
They come in a multitude of colourways and designs so there is definitely going to be something to suit the colours you use for competition or just because you like it! I know that without a doubt my collection will be growing in the very near future!
]]>I have always loved Kingsland, they are right up there in my fave brands! So when they released the Las Flores saddle pad I instantly fell head over heels for it. It comes in two gorgeous colourways, navy and rose gold or beige/silver.
Now don’t be put off by the word beige, it really is quite beautiful and in the right light has taken on a blush pink hue and in other lights a lovely golden tint. The rope binding is beautiful and compliments it perfectly, and there is a lovely Kingsland silver tag on the left side, which really does give the saddle pad a premium look and feel. I have had many admiring comments about it and it absolutely matches my tech stirrups Aphrodite perfectly!
This saddle pad comes with coolmax technology, so it is designed to keep your horse cool underneath, and I have put this to the test many times. The underneath of the pad is made from a wicking material, designed to take the sweat away from your horse, and many times after schooling I find that while Rolo has got hot and sweaty the pad has wicked the sweat away and he is not as damp as he would have been using other pads. This does mean the pad needs washing maybe more than other cheaper brands but I just chuck mine in the wash on a 30 and it keeps coming back as good as new.
The saddle pad comes with matching ears for both colour ways and really does look super smart. They come in dressage and jump fit and look perfect with both black and brown tack. The navy pad matches the rose gold tech stirrups perfectly so if matchy matchy is your thing then this will take that to a whole new level!
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My young horse is very careful and I was becoming very conscious that ‘knees to noes’ was no exaggeration with Daisy. In need of a stud guard and with Kentucky Horsewear products fast becoming a staple items in Daisy’s wardrobe their short stud guard was my number one choice.
The sheepskin Stud girth is excellent; it offers style and substance at a very good price. Make no mistake when buying Kentucky Horsewear, they are premium products and worth every penny spent on them. Daisy has sensitive skin so I went for the faux sheepskin option, aesthetically I also love the fluffy look! The sheepskin cover is very easy to remove and machine washable at 30 degrees.
The stud guard is anatomically shaped which in my opinion is vital when exercising your horse as it follows their natural movement and allows your horse to fully use their shoulder without restrictions or pinching.
The girth has a very handy d- ring clip so you can quickly attach a martingale or breast plate. I personally much prefer girth’s fitted with buckles so the ‘loop’ of the martingale does not sit between the girth and your horses belly.
Another feature I love about this girth is the leather is also artificial and is 100% animal friendly. The stud guard is scratch resistant, and doesn’t absorb sweat or dirt so very easy to maintain.
As the girth is anatomical and the girth buckles are designed for spread the pressure evenly across the belly I use this girth everyday. The Short Stud Girth also features a durable and protective EVA inner.
Easy to maintain with your tack cleaner (despite the leather being artificial). I’m not a tack cleaning enthusiast and whilst I do ensure the sheepskin lining is kept clean I do often abandon the outer girth until shows. The girth scrubs up very well and despite being cleaned once a month it always looks fabulous.
]]>I have already lost count of the amount of times I have worn this jumper. I have worn it for both going out – because why wouldn’t you? It sparkles! And I’ve worn it for riding (don’t worry have washed it in-between) I can say hand on heart this is one of the softest jumpers I have worn, it’s got this beautiful fleece like inside that makes you feel instantly cosier, it’s what I imagine it would be like to hug a real life teddy bear!
It is made from 100% cotton so feels lovely against your skin but also helps to keep you warm as well as being breathable if you get too hot whilst riding. The design of the jumper is great, it has elasticated cuffs, waistband and neck, that fits snuggly against the body helping to keep the warmth in and the cold out, I also thinks this makes for a much more flattering fit.
If you are ordering from the Equissimo website then I would confidently say that the colour is true to the picture. I have particularly liked wearing it to lessons, as I think it’s just that bit smarter. Now I’m not sure if I’m the only one who is like this but when you are wearing a good looking outfit or matchy matchy you instantly ride a bit better!
If you feel good in yourself you feel more confident and that comes out in your riding. I know you’re thinking it’s just a jumper, well it’s not it’s a sparkly dazzling jumper and I love it!
]]>I now happily own two of these gorgeous saddle pads;
I’ve got one for my mare Luna and one for my Gelding Bumble. I chose both in navy but with difference trim detail.
I was planning on keeping them for best, but I may have not been able to resist them on several occasions! Now this may be a weird thing to love, but for me one of the best things about these saddle pads is the lack of straps. I hate the straps that you are meant to attach to the first girth leather or the D-ring, I never do it! I like to put my saddle pad on separate to my saddle to make sure its lying flat and even and to take it off and let it air. So I definitely can’t be bothered with the faff of putting these straps on and off each time and then they just hang there, in the way and looking untidy. So when I saw that these Kentucky saddle pads didn’t have them, with the clean lined design, I knew they were for me.
The thickness and the weight of these saddle pads is just right. I hate a saddle pad that feels cheap and thin, as it provides no comfort to the horse and likewise, one that is over padded and thick, could alter the fit of the saddle and again give discomfort.
To me Kentucky have got the balance spot on, every angle has been thought about the design and I would highly recommend you try one, and with the amount of colours available there’s one for everyone!
]]>This coat is literally a lifesaver and I can’t recommend it enough.
As well as being super warm and comfortable it is also fashionable, which I find to be a rarity when it comes to long coats which actually keep you warm and dry!
The jacket is described as water and wind resistant and having worn the coat in howling winds and torrential rain I can vouch for it. One day I had six lessons to teach in the rain and I can honestly say I stayed bone dry and toasty warm.
Being very tall (5ft 11), I find most “long” jackets are not actually that long. They usually lie just above the knee meaning water drips off into me boots, resulting in wet feet (which is never good!). This coat however finishes below my knee and covers my boots... very happy Laura!
The jacket also has long slits on either side of the back of the jacket which can be easily unzipped making it perfect for riding, keeping the saddle, your legs and the top of the horses back warm and dry… bonus!
If I was to be super critical and had to pick a fault in the jacket, I would say the pockets are quite high. Having said that, the more I wear the jacket the more I am getting used to them being higher (I’m not really sure you can call that a fault, more like me being super picky). That being said, the pockets are nice and deep and are secure with a zip, which is great for your mobile phone.
At £180 I think this jacket is a bit of a bargain and an essential for everyone with winter!
Summary
My favourite thing about this jacket? I love that this jacket is extra-long, super warm and also looks good.
Would I recommend this jacket? Yes 100%, this is by far the best riding jacket I have purchased and does actually keep you warm and dry.
Is this jacket value for money? Yes, this jacket is very good quality and worth every penny.
]]>The minute opened my parcel to reveal the Montar bridle I was in love! The leather was really soft which meant it moulded so easily to Bumble’s face. The stitching and detail to this bridle is also beautiful, and just finishes it off, it really does feel a quality piece. I think without a doubt the best thing about this bridle is the fact it’s got not one but four major pressure relieving design aspects. I think my favourite bit of design, that has also been carried out beautifully, is the head piece, it has been designed to be fully adjustable, and you can change the size and the angle to fit comfortably to your horses head shape. Its soft and supple padding sits neatly either side of the poll with this ingenious idea of actually having nothing sitting against the horse’s poll, leaving it free of pressure. Next we have the brown band; it has been shaped in a way that it applies no pressure to the temples or forehead. Again Montar have not only thought about comfort but design as well, the browband itself is super easy to remove so that it can be switched out for a different design, just un-popper the browband at each end and clip the next one on in its place, that simple! Keeping to the head piece, and another favourite of mine, the shaped ear pieces. The part of the bridle that runs along the back of the ears has been shaped and padded so the it sits comfortably away from the ear so that you get none of that rubbing or digging in you can get with an ordinary bridle. Finally the noseband and flash are connected as one smooth shape that curves in two ways, to avoid the nerves around the cheek bones and the sensitive ones that run down to the nostrils. I think this is actually one of the most important design features to get right; so much research has been done recently in to the tightness of the nose band and flash and implications it has on the horse and the facial nerves. This just shows how far Montar are ahead of the game, to already be producing bridles to avoid this common discomfort. This alone proves this bridle is worth its money and more!
Another fantastic point that needs to be mentioned about the Montar bridle range is that it is all interchangeable. The headpieces and the nosebands can all be bought separately. I did this through Equissimo, they helped me build a bridle that fitted and worked best for Bumble. In this picture he is wearing the monarch head piece and the excellence nose band.
]]>The magic brush is what it says – Magic! I didn’t have one of these in my tack box until Equissimo sent me one, and boy do I wish I had one sooner!
So far I have used it for grooming – it’s super for getting rid of dried mud and general dirt and dust, my pet hate is dried mud on faces and legs, and with the wet warm wet weather my horses are doing good impressions of wallowing hippos so it’s been a life saver!
I’ve also given it a go when it’s come to bath time. I’ve used it both with and without shampoo, and its worked well either way! Of course a little shampoo is always going to beat water alone, but this has made a full bath with shampoo so much quicker, I literally wet the coat, blobbed a bit of shampoo on the brush and gently massage it in all over and then rinse. Leaving me with one super clean gleaming pony in just one wash! Now having a grey horse means there is nearly always at least one poo stain to deal with, and this brush has been amazing for that. I think it might be just a horsey person thing but I’m ALWAYS running late, I’ve now discover all I need to do is wet the brush and scrub a little and the poo stain comes out! Hallepoojah! No more panic baths praying that he dries in the lorry on the way to where ever we are going!
Finally you know that pesky hair the glues itself to the underside of the saddle cloth? Well it gets rid of that too, now I’m wondering what else I can de-fluff! Magic brush is getting a 10/10 from me.
]]>So I have tested the Mark Todd Pro Combo Rain sheet for a few times and used it to walk down the road in the rain to use our neighbours school, the Rain sheet is designed to keep your horse dry in the rain at shows. And with this typical British weather and the winters we have, this really is a must for every rider that goes out to shows. It is perfect to keep your horse and your tack dry while you wait for your class and it starts to rain which happens to me alot. And the best news for me is that it is Navy – Our Favourite colour!
It attaches onto the top of the bridle to ensure it stays up to keep your horses neck dry and has straps on the chest and neck to do up along with one which goes under the tummy around the girth.
Top feature;
Stirrup holes – which is great if you wanted to ride in this.
I have not yet ridden in this and I don’t think I will if I am honest as I have my exercise rug for this, I personally feel it would restrict movement in the shoulder if you went above trot. And I’m sure that it is designed for standing at showing and riding in walk only – if I’m completely honest but regardless this is a must have and literally comes with me on every outing out in case it rains. It doesn’t even leave the horsebox. Due to it being just a rain sheet it is very lightweight and takes up minimal room when you travel.
The fit is very true to size, although if you have a chunky horse, I would suggest get the next size up. Or if you wanted a show rug on underneath to go up another size.
]]>These tendon boots from the Kentucky Horsewear range are ideal for both day to day and competition use.
The boots are highly protective with scientifically developed shock absorption technology, helping to reduce the impact on the lower limb when the horse is working and particularly jumping. The strong outer plastic shell gives you peace of mind against the horse striking into the forelimb with the hind hooves! I have used these boots on horses for both showjumping and cross country (alongside daily use in the school or out hacking) and they are lasting really well and look brand new again after a spin in the washing machine.
The Velcro fastening is super easy to use, with the elasticated straps making these boots great for use on a variety of horses with different amounts of bone, as they can fit snugly on any leg. Although these boots are super protective, the horse’s comfort isn’t at all compromised as the soft padded inner lining prevents any rubbing, and I would happily use these boots on clipped legs without any worry of causing discomfort. A common worry with highly protective boots is that overheating might occur to the tendons.
These boots have a unique ventilation system that prevents overheating, making the boots extremely breathable which is great for when the horses might be wearing them for extended periods of time or during high intensity gallop or jump training. Alongside the many protective benefits of these boots they are also very stylish, in either the black or brown colour. The slightly shiny strike guard along the plantar aspect of the boot really sets the design off again the matt base material. Also, the curved top and bottom edges of the boot look great alongside being designed to minimise any interference with joint flexion.
I would highly recommend these tendon boots, and think that they are very reasonably priced for the quality of product.
]]>This saddle pad is a must have for anyone!
It is a super hardwearing saddle pad that comes in a variety of gorgeous colours and complimenting trims that are suitable for both use at home in bright and vibrant colour combinations, or as part of a cross country colour set, but also in more conservative colours for general competitions use.
The saddle pad is a great weight, it is lovely and padded to ensure comfort to the horse under the saddle, but equally not too thick that is might interfere with saddle fit. The material used is super soft, and doesn’t change once washed, it stays really smooth and lovely, making sure that the horse is comfy.
In order to prevent overheating of the back this saddle pad is really breathable and wicking – stopping any rubbing or irritation of the horse’s skin, particularly after a fresh clip! The saddle pad is workman-like but also has details that make it stand out. The lovely colour options are really set-off by the different trim colours, which are also complimented by the bright white piping.
The Kentucky Horsewear logo gives this saddle pad a lovely smart look, but equally is not too stand-out and gives a modest finish. A key feature of this saddle pad for me is the lack of d-ring straps, just the girth loops, as I have close-contact jump and dressage saddles. I have been complimented on this stylish saddle pad by many of my friends. I really rate this saddle pad and will be looking to expand my collection in the near future!
There are colours to suit every horse and with the great price tag for quality and finish, compared to many other saddle pads on the market, I feel that my collection may grow faster than expected!
]]>I have to say that I have a bit of a soft spot when it comes to all things fluffy and soft!
I really love being able to spoil my horses with sheepskin covers on any piece of tack possible! However, the downside to this is that often sheepskin is tricky to wash and after a few washes can become slightly ruined.
This is where the Kentucky Horsewear range comes in! All their sheepskin covers are faux and so not only does that make them super easy to wash and clean it also makes them ‘animal cruelty-free’. As eventers all of my horses do a lot of cantering and jumping, and nine times out of ten are wearing breastplate. Therefore, I bought this sheepskin breastplate cover. A few of mine have sensitive skin, particularly once clipped and I have found that this breastplate cover has stopped all irritation on their chests.
The design makes it easy to use as I just either slip it over the breast girths or undo the Velcro and re-attach it to the lower strap of the breastplates. The Velcro fastening is really good and secure so I don’t have to worry about it coming undone.
The breastplate cover is a good width and fits all my different makes and types of breastplate. I think it is great that this breastplate cover comes in three different colours (natural, black and brown) as it gives people the option to either match it to their tack and let it blend in or allows it to feature as a stand out cover in the natural colour. Alongside protecting the horse in preventing rubbing under the tack it also has a good role in protecting the tack itself from sweat and dirt – particularly so for me when I’m eventing!
As with all the Kentucky Horsewear range I feel that this cover is great value for money at £26.00.
]]>When competing I like to have gloves that not only look smart and professional, but also that fit like a second skin, so that it doesn’t interfere with my test riding at all – it’s never fun to have to adjust your gloves part way through a test, it knocks your focus, and sometimes make you lose your stride! And that’s what my old competition gloves felt like… they didn’t fit snugly, and would constantly move and feel like I had something between my fingers and my gloves – I was constantly adjusting them in the warm up, and when it started happening during my test, I realised that I needed to look for a new pair!
I looked at a lot of different brands, I spoke to some of my #TeamEquissimo team mates who have a pair, and asked what they liked about the gloves, and the response was pretty unanimous “they are snug but like a second skin snug, and they don’t restrict you at all!” which was music to my ears! I’m not normally one to spend over £35 on gloves, but so far, the ones that I had bought hadn’t been what I was looking for, so I bit the bullet and bought a pair for competition!
They arrived in time for my next outing, and I loved them! Not only did they fit as snug as a bug, but they were comfortable to the point that I didn’t really feel like I was wearing a pair of gloves. The material has a multi directional stretch, which enables the freedom of movement of my hands whilst riding and doesn’t restrict me in any way at all – they truly are the most comfortable gloves I have ever ridden in, and gave me confidence as they looked amazing too!
These gloves are exceptional to wear and ride in and do everything they say on the tin. In fact, they go above and beyond what it says on the tin; As far as I am aware, they aren’t advertised as touchscreen but an added bonus is that they work very well with my phone, especially when I wanted to take some selfies at the show! 😉
So, in summary:
Would I recommend these gloves? Absolutely, 100%, they are super stretchy, lightweight and comfortable to wear whilst riding – we all hate bulky gloves where you feel you end up with just as much glove in your hand as rein - they are also durable unlike other gloves, and come up sparkling white after each wash.
What do I love about these gloves? Everything!! As I said they fit as snug as possible whilst not restricting any movement, which is exactly what I look for in a glove! Plus they are extremely eye catching in a classy professional way – which gave me a little confidence boost that I do belong in the ring!
Are the Gloves Value for money? My honest answer is YES!! I would happily spend the money again to buy a second pair… in fact I already have as I have just ordered a pair in Black so that I have a pair to ride in everyday! Honestly, I wouldn’t look at another brand of glove again. The old saying of buying cheap will cost you more in the long run – well in my experience that is true – hence I won’t be buying cheap again!
]]>Wow Wow Wow –that’s all I can say!
I wanted this rug for about 2 years now, and I finally got it. I never investigated into it and though it was very expensive for it to just be a show/Travel Rug. I wished I looked at the description more. Not only does it look stunning and very smart, it fits perfectly and also does an amazing job at what its made to do!
I maybe biased as I have completely fallen in love with the Kentucky range the quality and designs are to die for! I wish I could have bailey head to toe in Kentucky!
Yes I will be using this when he is fully clipped out on a cold day at a show, but the main reason I purchased this as it’s a great weight for the stable, being 160g so I will be using it in the stable, as I have other Kentucky Horsewear items, I already am aware how amazing it washes up, so I have no fear to use this in the Stable.
As you can see it has a GORGEOUS artificial sheepskin Collar that goes around from the front of the neck all the way round over the withers. The inside of the rug is a extremely soft artificial rabbit Skin lining which is very unique and helps the horse stay warm. It is also great for horses with sensitive skin due to being extra soft it prevents rubbing. This lining inside also reduces the amount of hair that sticks inside – which I’ve never thought about before but really does help!
On to the outer material. Apart from the stunning design like all the other rugs, this too is resistant to bedding :-D Which makes me very happy as there is nothing worse then a rug which gets covered in Hay/Straw or Shaving and you are unable to get them all off.
As always this product is machine washable at 30 :-D
Don’t forget you can get many other matching items, like sheets, and heavy stable rugs, along with exercise rugs that all match.
]]>I was very lucky to receive one of the Montar Patsy Laser cut T-shirts from Equissimo as part of my welcome pack as a new Brand Ambassador at the beginning of the year.
I must admit, it took me a while to wear this gorgeous top; it was just too damn pretty and looked far too posh to just wear down at the yard to muck out! So instead, I admired it every time I opened my wardrobe and saw it hanging there looking fabulous!! Ha ha!
Anyway, then my #teamequissimo brand ambassador jacket arrived and I thought they would look great together – and boy was I right! I may never take them off!
Oh wow, the Montar Patsy t-shirt is just so comfortable to wear; it really feels like a second skin. It is super soft and stretchy and with the gorgeous laser cut detail and white zip with at the top it really does stand out from other t-shirts, it’s very very stylish! And better still, the fit is amazing, very true to size and extremely flattering, which is always nice.
I am a big fan the Montar range and this top does not disappoint, as with all Montar
products the quality and detail are second to none. You really can feel the difference in quality from other brands and you know they will last for years and years.
The Montar Patsy t-shirt is super comfortable to ride in; I am very particular in what I wear to ride as competing in endurance means I am in the saddle for long periods of time, well after a 3 hour hack today I have to say it passed the test, its super flexible and just moves with you in the saddle.
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Tech stirrups are now a staple item of my equestrian wear, they are comfortable, hard wearing & out perform any others I’ve used. If I ride other horses I always take my pair of tech stirrups with me as I really struggle to ride in other stirrups now. I find stirrups with any flex in them very uncomfortable as my ankle twists in them. I have a particularly weak ankle due to a fall (embarrassingly out of a pair of high heels not off a horse) so comfort and design is very important to me. I can ride several horses in my own tech stirrups & not feel sore at all. It was only when I started to ride other people’s horses in their own tack I really appreciated my techs!
The stirrups themselves are super lightweight as they are made entirely from aluminium. The tread which is popularly known as the cheese grater design has been manufactured by tech to be long lasting. I can vouch for this as I have owned a pair since June 2017, ride in them everyday & have barely warn the tread. The stirrup leather loop has also been designed to keep the stirrup in a position to enable you to reposition your foot easily should you loose it! Again I can vouch for this mostly due to riding very sharp horse’s, I very rarely loose my stirrup as the grip helps keep a good position & secure lower leg. If I do loose my stirrup I’m able to find it again super quickly. The only negative with this is if I’ve forgotten to take my tech stirrups to ride another horse I struggle to get my foot in a normal iron as they are generally flat against the horse’s side but you can’t blame the stirrup really!
Aesthetically the stirrup is beautiful. I have had so many compliments on how gorgeous the rose gold colour is. The tread is still silver which breaks up the rose gold & keeps it looking classic. I personally love pink & it’s very nice to have a gorgeous design with the technology. I honestly can’t recommend these stirrups enough and have converted a few friends to them after lending them my own! If you’re thinking of buying a pair you will not be disappointed.
Summary -
Are they value for money? Absolutely yes, they are very competitively priced against other high end stirrups & in my opinion out perform them. They also age gracefully.
Would I recommend them? 100% yes I wouldn’t ride in other stirrup irons
]]>As with all things equestrian, kitting yourself out in decent looking and professional competition wear can be pricey to say the least! I have always compromised, and made sure to buy quality named competition breeches that come at an affordable price, unless I have a birthday or Christmas in the near future and then I usually ask my family to club together to buy some more expensive ones for me! Why? Because I believe that if you want to look the part, then you really have to be comfortable in what you are wearing, so that you can look like a million bucks!! 😊
Having had the Montar Ellen riding breeches for a few months, and really loving how they feel like a second skin (see my product review on them) I was delighted and surprised to find that as part of my goodie bag I was given the Montar Molly breeches, in white for competition wear – How spoiled am I?!
Not only do they look blindingly white – I actually thought I would need to wear sunglasses the first time I wore them, they were so pristinely white, but they are high waisted, for the traditional look, and make me feel like I have THE best body out there, they are also a full seat of Silicone, which I absolutely love, as the stickiness really gives me the edge of staying in the saddle when Sharp has a spook attack, and best of all, if you are any kind of Dressage Diva, like me, the subtle bling in the form of a bit with some Diamante on the hip adds the finishing touch to the professional look that I have always wanted!
On the day of my competition, as always I put them on under a pair of leggings, to prevent them being dirtied by Mr Sharp. They fit like a second skin and didn’t add any bulk under the leggings. It was one of the hottest days in August that I was competing and the Yati Material was perfect, the light fabric has strong wicking properties which on a hot sweaty day riding at 1.50 and 2.20pm meant that I stayed cool and dry whilst warming up and competing in a hot Indoor arena, as the fabric wicked away the moisture from my skin! The material was also stretchy and moved and flexed with me, so I didn’t get that uncomfortable feeling of chaffing, or the seam rubbing anywhere – BONUS! As this has been a big issue in the past!
So in summary:
Would I recommend these breeches? Absolutely, 100% I would recommend them, they made me look and feel amazing, kept me in the saddle when Sharp had a spook and I was comfortable in them for the whole day – plus I had a few spectators comment on just how lovely they looked!
What do I love about the breeches? What’s not to love, they are classy, comfortable and cool, which really helped in the hot weather, they make me look like I have the best body going, they made me feel that I looked professional, and the attention to detail with the beautiful subtle bit of bling just tops them off!
Are these breeches value for money? Yes they were an absolute godsend in the heat, wicking away the moisture and keeping me cool throughout my tests, allowing me to focus on my riding rather than feel uncomfortable and sweaty. They made me feel like a million dollars which boosted my confidence and gave me a classy professional appearance, and the full seat of Silicone gave me enough grip in the saddle for those spooky moments, but not too much that I couldn’t move with Sharp when I needed to!
Thank you Equissimo for such an amazing surprise in my goodie bag, I truly am one very lucky lady indeed!! 😊
]]>I first came across the magic brush on Equissimo’ s website, they are available in a 3 pack with a range of lovely colours and designs or a single brush.
I received mine from equissimo as part of my brand ambassador welcome pack and was super excited to try it out on my mud monsters! Not only just for your horses it has many uses which I'll explain further along.
The magic brush is my new best friend I’ve ditched all the products because the magic brush works the same and better. It works to lift the dirt out of the coat whilst almost polishing at the same time! My horses have never been so shiny! It's good for daily grooming and whilst bathing too. The bristles act to almost de-shed any loose hair whilst causing no discomfort, mine love it judging from their lips and not wanting me to stop!
Magic brush is all I use everyday now, it brings their coats up like I have been grooming them for hours when in fact it's only been 10-15 minutes and perfect for after riding for those under saddle/girth areas. I use it for show preparation as well so no need for show shine now! I have had many comments on Finn and Ditsy’s coats ever since using it.
Second use... if you have hairy saddle clothes / rugs / been clipping .. magic brush takes it off ! My saddle clothes look brand new. Will be posting before and after photos so keep an eye out!
I work as a dog groomer so my car always ends up hairy so Its ideal for hair on my car seats.
The magic brush has many uses, I wish I had found it sooner. A definite must have in your grooming box.
There are no other brushes like this one on the market! This brush is totally unique in its design and is an incredibly useful addition to anyone’s grooming kit!
The brush feels super soft to touch, you could quite happily scrub it on the underside of your arm and it doesn’t feel scratchy or uncomfortable. However, amazingly it removes the heaviest of mud from the horse!
Traditionally I would always use quite a stiff dandy brush to remove mud but have always thought its quite harsh on the horse’s skin. The Magic Soft Brush provides a great alternative to these harsher brushes whilst still giving the same great result, and it can be used all over the horse.
I also use my Magic Soft Brush when bathing the horses, it’s really useful for scrubbing the shampoo into the coat and helps to lift all the grease and dirt from under the hair.
The horses seem to love it too, they get a bit of a massage at the same time! Another use of the brush that I have found is for removing hair off saddlecloths and boots etc. When you want to wash your horsey items but everyone is complaining about horse hair going in the washing machine – this brush really helps to get all of that shed hair off!
Considering this brush is made of plastic it is highly durable, none of mine have lost any of their teeth or cracked, one has even withstood being trodden on! (Although I wouldn’t recommend your try that!) The brush is a bargain, RRPs at £8.00, I have got one for every grooming kit and keep one in every lorry! If you like everything to be matching like me then the brush has the added bonus of coming in a great range of colours!
]]>This polo shirt is made of super soft material, and the added lycra makes it really comfy for wearing all day, with no restriction. The material is great for being out on the yard as nothing sticks to it such as hay or shavings.
The collar is lovely as it adds some refinement to the top, and is also super comfy, as there are no rough edges, unlike many other polo shirts whereby the collars end up rubbing your neck. The length of this polo is perfect, not too long but long enough to tuck into your breeches without it pulling back out which is a must for me!
Also, the attention to detail is lovely, the black and white flower design under the collar and the front buttons really brighten up this polo shirt and complement the light grey colour beautifully. This attention to detail, along with the heart design within the Montar logo make this polo shirt suitable for wear off the yard too, I’ve worn mine to many evening meals!
This shirt RRPs at £39.00 and I think that it is super value for money, when comparing to other equestrian brands, many polo shirts are that price, if not more, and I have not found one as comfy or durable as this Montar shirt. The shirt washes really well, still staying super soft and looks brand new! Another benefit in terms of easy care for this shirt is that the ‘buttons’ are actually poppers, I prefer this as often buttons drop off or come loose and then are non-functional, whereas these poppers are a great change, and make the shirt a little more unique!
]]>The soft material is cut into a great shape, and the elasticated cuffs mean that the sleeves can be pulled up to keep them out of the way when working on the yard. This sweater has dual usage it can be worn on the yard for day to day jobs with the horses.
The sweater is lightweight enough to be worn on its own but also is a great baselayer for cold days, to be worn under a coat or gilet. For those who like matchy-matchy, the different colours are great shades to combine with a variety of sets! The sequined Montar logo on the front adds some glam to the sweater, a nice bit of sparkle on a dreary day at the yard. This glitter makes the sweater also suitable to wear off the yard, socially and not just at equestrian events!
The production quality is second to none, and the care instructions are easy, I have washed it multiple times and the sweater comes up like new each time! The inner lining has remained soft and no shrinking!! Frequently with clothing that has sequins sown onto the outside the sequins start to come loose and fall off.
However, with this sweater the sequins have stayed firmly in place and haven’t started to look scraggy! Size wise I would say that the Montar range is true to size, and that if anything this sweater comes up slightly larger, which is nice for a loose-fitting causal top! For its price the sweater is a super buy and if you’re quick you might be able to get it discounted as Equissimo have this in their super summer sale!
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