In for a Penny, In for a Pound

In January, my mom bought me a Riding Warehouse gift card for my birthday, but it never arrived. We discovered the reason this summer, and I bought Izzy a new halter with about half of it. Over the weekend, I finally needed something, and then I decided I needed something else, and before I knew it, I was trying to spend it down to the last penny. Honestly, I think I just needed some good old fashioned retail therapy, that or more oatmeal cookies. Too late, those are already gone.

It all started with a small scratch on Izzy's chin that I finally realized was getting rubbed by his noseband. The sore is well below the noseband, but I think there has been just enough wiggle room that the noseband has been rubbing it just a little bit. Speedy had that issue a few months back when we were at a show. My friend Jen let me have her extra fleece noseband guard which turned out to be exactly what I needed. Over the weekend, I took it out of storage and popped it on Izzy's bridle. Again, it solved the problem perfectly. I liked it so well that I've ordered two, one to put back in my show bag, and one for Jen.

Shires SupaFleece Chin/Crank Padded Guard - $5.74 with discount coupon

On backorder, but once they're back in stock, two of them will be on their way.

I couldn't very well just buy two chin guards. There is a minimum purchase for free shipping, so I decided to just bite a huge bullet and order a six month supply of Horse Guard Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Pellets. I've been really happy with that product, but when I run out, I forget to reorder it, and then a month goes by, and I really forget about it. This, too, is backordered, but I ordered a bucket anyway.

​Horse Guard Vitamin/Mineral Supplement Pellets - $67.96 with discount coupon

Also on backorder ...

At this point, I had less than $20 left on my gift card. Like I said, in for a penny, in for a pound, so I decided to spend it all without spending any extra cash. I started digging around through Riding Warehouse's website looking for something that I needed/wanted. Socks are always my go-to for hitting the minimum order for free shipping, so I threw a pair of C4 Knee High Riding Socks in my cart. I had ordered a pair a month or so ago that were still unused, but as it happens I just tossed out a blue pair that had finally worn through at the heel, so that first pair is ready to be brought into the rotation. Next to the Noble Outfitter Over the Calf Peddies, these are my favorite socks. This is my fourth pair.

C4 Knee High Riding Socks - $8.46 with discount coupon

Not on back order ...

By now, all I had was a ten spot and some change left, but I was determined to spend it wisely. I've written quite a few times about the Haas line of brushes, I now have six of them, four that I use every day. The other two live in my horse trailer for shows, clinics, and general travel. The one Haas tool that has proven to be the most useful is actually the least expensive of the bunch, the Haas Striegel New Generation Soft Curry Comb. It is the first, and sometimes, only grooming tool that I use. Both of my horses love it. My trailer set of brushes does not include that curry comb, so I remedied that. A new Striegel is on its way.

Haas Striegel New Generation Soft Curry Comb Blue - $6.76 with discount coupon

Also not on backorder ...

There's not much that you can do with $3.36, but I knew just what else I needed. I go through hoof picks with surprising frequency, and it's not because I lose them. The pick end just gets shorter and shorter. Our soil is very sandy which is also abrasive. I am also "picky" about hoof picks. I like them to have the brush on the back, and I want a chunky handle. I like Horze products, so I was willing to give their Soft Grip Stainless Steel Hoof Pick w/Brush a try. 

Horze Soft Grip Stainless Steel Hoof Pick w/Brush - $4.21 with discount coupon.

Chunky hand, sharp pick, brush on the end ... not on backorder!

In the end, I "overspent" by a mere $0.75. Not bad for an afternoon therapy session. Now it'll be like Christmas - packages will be rolling in for the rest of the month.

Thanks, Mom!