Horse Expo Was Also About Shopping!

2/9/2012

I know I wrote about the great clinics at Horse Expo, but our favorite part is always the shopping. For as many horses as there are in this area, our tack shop options are severely limited. Our feed stores stock fly sprays, medications, and feed items, but English tack has to be ordered online. So when we go to these kind of things, Taz's Mom and I always bring a wad of cash. Here's what I bought.

And yes, it's been carefully added to my monthly expenditures.

Some deals I just couldn't pass up!

The fly masks, fly sprays, fork, and brush were all things that needed replacing for this spring. Most of the items I could have bought here in town, but they would have been a lot more expensive. The prices at Horse Expo were just too good to pass up. The two items that I couldn't buy here are the black snaffle bridle and the Freedom Feeder.

The Freedom Feeder was something that I didn't know I needed, but once I saw it, I knew it was the solution I'd been looking for (more about that later in the week). The black bridle was super cheap - $40. It's not the best quality ever, but what I liked about it was that it was a COB with a THIN caveson and a THIN browband. I always chuck the flash. It fits Speedy pretty well, although we are on the second to the highest hole. The browband has some delicate bling that makes it look just slightly fancy.

I've posted many, many times about hard it is to find dressage tack that fits my smaller-than-average dressage horse. While I like really nice quality, it's not worth it if Speedy G looks like he's wearing his daddy's shoes. With a good saddle soap and lots of conditioning, a lesser quality bridle that fits well can do the trick.

Sarah E. Schulman link

2/9/2012 01:29:05 am

Nice haul! I didn't make it down this year, but I normally try to stock up on treats and wormers. Not to mention the *free* grain samples. =D

Karen

2/9/2012 01:05:48 pm

It was one of the better events that Pomona has had. They utilized the space in a better way. Things were spread around which alleviated the tight crowds. The 2013 date is already set, and we'll be there on Saturday. Maybe we'll bump into you next year. :0)

lytha

2/11/2012 01:32:56 am

i didn't know you could chuck the flash off most dressage bridles. ok then i have hope: )

i went to the local tack store today and asked about riding lessons. the lady there (who actually lives next door to me and i didn't know it, it's across our field), she gave me a list of big barns but i was hoping for something local and small. i am mostly interested in dressage but at this point i'll take anything (except for the big western trainer up the hill who believes sexism is the better part of being a cowboy!).

i was referred to an icelandic farm, a haflinger farm, and a vaulting farm. oh boy.

i just need to buy a horse, and then i can do private lessons locally. i just have to find that horse. agh.

2/11/2012 08:22:27 am

Lytha - I've seen many riders just remove the flash and leave the loop for it just hanging from the noseband. That's what I've done on all of my dressage bridles. I hate what a flash is used for. If your horses won't keep his mouth closed, find a better bit!

Does Germany have something like USDF where you could research local trainers? Are there shows nearby (obviously not right - whoo, your winter is cold!) where you could meet potential trainers or riders?

I am sure you are exhausting every possibility, but are more Arabs available in France? And if so, would it be worth having one shipped? You know how common it is to buy horses halfway across the country here. I am really keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope that spring brings you a big-boned Arabian who floats down the trail with a small euro price tag attached to his big butt!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage