Nov’s 10 Questions and a Saddle Pad worth lusting for

Thanks to Viva Carlos for a fun 10 Questions!

1. Have you ever owned a horse?

Spot is the 1st horse I’ve truly owned, I’ve only really leased before her.

2. What is your favorite aspect of your discipline?

In dressage, I really love how effortless and in harmony the horse and rider are in. I’m always amazed how the pro’s make it look so easy. It’s a good discipline for the OCD/perfectionist in me. 😛  For polo, I enjoy how it’s a team event and how brave, fast, and “ball savvy” the ponies are. It’s definitely a strategy game and four players and horses need to work together.

 3. What pet peeves do you have concerning your discipline?

Dressage: The whole rolkur thing and not really seeing correct riding

Polo: Some polo people treat their horses like sporting equipment…when it breaks you toss it and get a new one.

4. Do you do barn chores?

I use to at a past barn, it was a self clean place so I did my stalls. Now, I just mainly clean up after myself and Spot. Does cleaning tack count?

5. What is your least favorite barn chore?

Cleaning up after other people fo sho.

6. What do you consider the worst vice in a horse?

Rearing, not loading, and not standing for the farrier

7. What saddle brand is your favorite?

I love the way CWDs look, but I’m riding my Heritage custom short flap saddle which is awesome.

8. Do you ride with a quarter sheet in the winter?

Yup! It’s nice when Spot is clipped and I think it just looks snazzy.

9. Does your horse wear boots? What kind?

No boots for Spot right now except for bell boots. When we played polo I would put polo wraps on all 4s, then put open fronts and bell boots on her front two.

10. Full seat or knee patch breeches? 

 Both? My past HJ in me loves the knee patch and I like the mobility I get in the saddle. But now that we’re doing more sit work stuff, full seats are pretty dang awesome. Oh, and they keep my hiney warmer in the winter.

 

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So…on the next part of this post:

I’ve been on the hunt for a very specific high neck fleece or wool cooler for Spot. I have a plain fitted one but I would like something that goes up her neck with the neck straps being leather with velcro. I’m imagining a navy blue body with leather accents…yum.

Anyways, while consulting the all mighty Google, I came across this company called Manifattura Valor in Germany that makes custom wool items from 100% virgin lambswool. And, it’s all about German engineering. 

I really should not have looked at their website because now no other blanket or saddle pad in the world will suffice for me. Take a look at these beauties….

I’m totally dying to have one of these saddle pads…I like the ones with cutouts the most though.

So, the reason why I haven’t whipped out the CC yet? The prices on these guys are astronomical.

690 Euros Each

Each of those saddle pads are made to order and custom made to your horses’ dimensions, but damn!! 690 Euros?!?! Sorry, Tack Ho self….definitely not getting one anytime soon, but I have to say the design and look is quite exquisite.

But also, check out their wool coolers:

 

The one on the left has like lamb fur collar that is removable and available in different colors. Price on these?

3,420 Euros 

For that price, I don’t think I could use that as a blanket for myself, let alone put it on a horse.

If any of you are interested in taking a look at their other products, like their super posh dog jackets and other equestrian gear, they have a catalog on their website with everything they sell. It’s quite nice to just look at. 🙂

http://www.manifattura-valor.com/en/info-section

 

Oh, and if anyone knows a person that can make me a custom cooler for not too too $ please let me know!!