My 5 Things: a Wish List

I just paid off a huge bill which somehow makes me feel like I have money burning a hole in my pocket. How does that happen?

With summer approaching (here?), I've been looking at a few new items to make barn life a little more glamorous and utilitarian.

First on the list is to replace Sydney's Freedom Feeder. It seems as though I can get about 8 months out of each one. It saves more in the price of hay than what the thing costs, but still, at $50 bucks a pop they're getting expensive.

NOT Sydney - Dover's Freedom Feeder picture

Second on the list is a new pair of laced reins. I just cannot keep my hold on the reins with the "buttons." Both my boys can get heavy and the reins slide through my hands until I am at the next grip, which is about 4 inches too much rein. Surprisingly, black laced reins are not that common. There is far more selection if you want them in brown. I like my Stübben reins, which I use on my show bridle, but neither Dover or Smartpak carry them. The best I can find is a nice pair of Passier at Smartpak. 

Passier's laced reins - they're on their way

I also want to get Speedy a fly sheet this summer. He's usually not too bothered by the flies, but we're going on vacation at the end of the month, and I worry that he won't get the exact same attention that I give him. Both of my boys have very thin skin which means they are prone to bed sores on their hocks and hips. I doctor those areas each day during the summer and I've found that Sydney fares better with a fly sheet over his hip bones so I imagine one might help Speedy, too. Sydney has a Weatherbeeta Airflow Mesh flysheet, which I really like, so I have ordered one for Speedy; it should be here soon.

Weatherbeeta Airflow Mesh Fly Sheet

Farther down the list in the yes, it would be nice, but ... category are the Equine Couture Sportif Natasha Breeches. I have more than a dozen, yes dozen, of well fitting, perfectly suitable breeches. I don't need these, but I really want them. We'll see how I feel about my bank account once I pay for the first three items on the list.

So cute ...

And finally, the zipper finally broke on my Ariat field boots last week. I love those boots and use them for all of my schooling rides. I show in a pair of Ariat Maestro dressage boots, but they are nowhere as comfortable as field boots. I am attempting to get the zipper replaced. If that doesn't work, I'll be forced to spring for new boots. The problem is that I can't justify spending $400 - $600 for schooling boots. So I did some searching and found a pair I'm willing to pay for. They are fairly cheap, but you know you get what you pay for ... Smartpak is awesome though so shipping will be free both directions if it turns out that they don't fit.

Tuffrider's Baroque Dress Boots - $179.95