Product Review Updates

Over this show season, I've "needed" to buy Izzy quite a few things. I thought I'd give a quick update on how well some of those things have worked out.

#1 LeMieux Half Pad - In April, I bought the Lemieux X-Grip Half pad. It wasn't my first choice, but it has turned out to be a great pick. I've been using this pad daily since April, and it still looks brand new.

End of July

I still haven't needed to wash it, but I do wipe down the grippy top layer with a damp cloth every once in a while. My saddle never slipped before so the grip system wasn't a big deal, but if you need something to keep your saddle from slipping, this pad will do it. When I first bought it, I was frustrated by the stickiness. Once your saddle is on that pad, you can't slide the saddle around to adjust its position. I've since learned to put my saddle squarely on top of the half pad, and then to make adjustments, I lift the front of the half pad and my saddle's pommel and move them around until the saddle is sitting where I want it. 

Once the half pad is in place, it fits nicely under my dressage saddle, and of course, it works particularly well with the LeMieux saddle pads. I also use it with other pads without any issue. Overall, I have no complaints about this pad and would highly recommend it.

#2 Two Horse Tack Halter - This is one thing I am definitely tired of buying. Izzy has gone through a number of halters this year, but so far, the beta halter from Two Horse Tack is doing its job.

A month old.

The thing I most love about it, besides it not being broken, is how easy it is to clean. Since it is beta, a synthetic material, I just hose it off or dunk it in a bucket; it still looks brand new. I custom-ordered this halter to include a crown piece that buckles on both sides, clips at the jaw, and a buckle at the chin. I would definitely order those customizations again. This halter comes with roller buckles on the crown piece, and I LOVE that feature. It makes the halter so much easier to buckle on and off.

If I order another one of the Two Horse Halters, I will probably go for a more vibrant color with the color cushion padding. Izzy is not getting any rubs; I just like the look of the two-tone halters. This has been a great halter, and I would definitely order from Two Horse Tack again.

#3 ThinLine Girth - I haven't had the ThinLine girth for very long, but I love it more each time I use it. Besides its functionality - which is flawless, it is super easy to clean. As soon as I pull it off my saddle, I dunk it in a bucket, shake off the excess water, and put it away.

Virtually maintenance free.

The next day, the girth is clean and dry and ready to use. In fact, if I just wiped it down with a towel it would be ready to use immediately. Since the material isn't really porous, it doesn't get wet or soggy like my fleece and memory foam girths do. Again, I would highly recommend this girth if you're looking for something that is easy to clean.

I'm loving all three purchases, but is it weird that "easy to clean" is such a priority?