New Camo Tack

We had a great week at work designing new tack. We now have Biothane Padded Breast Collars in Pink, Green and Orange Camo. They are so awesome looking and we are making bridles in it also. We have a Western Bridle and a Traditional Trail Halter/Bridle also. We are going to make reins too so you will be able to purchase a whole set of Camo tack. It really is the coolest looking stuff. We can even make dog collars out of it if someone would want one for say a hunting dog or even just a fashionesta dog. LOL! You will have to stop by our online store and check them out. We don't have the bridles or reins on line yet but hopefully Monday we will be able to get the products made so you can see them also.

We also got in Weatherbeeta winter blankets and they really are great winter blankets. If you have never had one you should really check them out. After hauling 8 head of horses to be shod yesterday in the frigid cold, ok so it was 31 degrees but the wind was blowing so it felt a lot colder, I think my horses appreciated their winter blankets. I know it made me feel better to have them blanketed going down the highway in an open stock trailer. I know there is that whole controversy...to blanket or not to blanket, but that my friends is for another day. Stay warm until next time.

I wanted to share an experience I recently had while trail riding at Eagle Ranch in Collins, MO.

Every year we go there in October for a Family Reunion Ride, this year they told us that there was an Endurance Race scheduled for that same weekend, that the park had been sold out and it would be rather crowded. But none the less we decided to go ahead and stay with that weekend. So my story begins.

We arrive on Wednesday and the only other people there are the manager of the ride, Jodie and some other woman who was just riding. We introduced ourselves to the ride manager and asked about what trails they were going to use as we were going to try and ride other trails that they weren't going to be on. She told us what trails they would be using and how their trails are marked but then told us to ride where we wanted to because we would not bother the endurance riders at all. I was a little skeptical!

Sure enough by Friday night the park was jammed packed with campers and trailers. Now I have worked for Horse Lovers Outlet and The Distance Depot for going on 4 years but this was going to be my first endurance race up close.

Saturday morning arrived with a bustle of endurance riders getting ready to hit the trail at the crack of dawn which was about 7:00 that morning. We on the other hand didn't get on trail until around 9:30 and with a young horse along to boot. This of course means that the endurance race is in full swing. Anyhow out on trail we go and sure enough we encounter our first group, who let us know they were coming even though we could hear them coming. We informed that group that we had a young horse along and they slowed down and let us get this young horse off the trail so they could go on by. As did the next group and the next group and the next group. Not one group of endurance riders or even one endurance rider just went by us without slowing down. They always thanked us for getting off the trails as we thanked them for slowing so we could get this young horse out of the way.

I have ridden a lot of trails with a lot of different people and I have to say I have never been more impressed with a large group of people as I was with the endurance riders. They were the most polite and trail friendly people I have ever had the opportunity to share trail with. So much so that I wanted to share this with all of you.

Sorry we haven't posted in a while!  Things became quite busy and we fell behind with posting here on the blog.  We really appreciate you following us and will make it a point share interesting notes and promotions a bit more frequently with you all. 

Happy Trails!
The Horse Lovers Outlet Team

ps: When you have a moment, you must check-out our Nutty November Clearance. We're putting some great stuff in there!

Crazy busy!!

 FINALLY some rain!! The ground around here was so cracked that it might have been pretty easy to fall all the way to China. We got a good soak last night and still drizzling today! Yay!! I'm sure our horses are happy for the relief from the sun as well.

 In other news, we have been having such a good, busy couple of weeks following a successful trip North to Endure for the Cure. This race was at Jim Edgar Panther Creek Park, and I gotta tell you, what a venue!! If you ever have a chance to ride up there, don't  miss out! We will be returning to the park for the AHA National Championships in October, and are very excited.

Between unpacking the trailer and keeping up with orders, we have been keeping ourselves pretty well occupied. We are also in the process of adding several new items to our store, so be sure to check our website regularly!

We hope that everyone has a safe and fun weekend, and HAPPY TRAILS!!





Photo courtesy of Google Images

Endure, here we come!

Let's begin by saying, I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July! We all enjoyed a nice 4 day weekend, and were all able to get in at least one ride! Back at it again this Monday, our plates have been quite full. We have been busy bees catching up on the weekend orders, preparing to leave for Endure for the Cure, and making tack for the Team USA Endurance riders, who are leaving for France early next week. Here is some of the tack we are sending with them, as sponsors of Team USA!

 
Restocking the trailer with merchandise this week has been the largest task by far, with temperatures reaching a scalding 100+ degrees, but a task worthwhile, as we are very excited to get on the road for Endure for the Cure. What a great and worthy cause and a great time raising funds for the Susan G. Komen foundation! This particular event has raised over $180,000 since it began in 2001, and we are very proud to be sponsors for the ride!

Photo courtesy of endureforthecure.org

Just a little Fourth of July food for thought!

Another Fourth is upon us. I don't know how your guys are, but this time of year means my boys stick close to home for a week.. Even though we have no immediate neighbors, for about a week prior and a week following the 4th, we will hear booms and bangs from all of the surrounding areas. My horses don't care much for it and will huddle together by the gate, as to say "let me come inside and hide!" Being that that is NOT an option, there are many choices for easing your horse's stress during scary situations. Or, perhaps, you just have a nervous horse. One of the homeopathic remedies is Valerian root. Although you can obtain it in several forms, I would prefer the powdered form. You simply combine one teaspoon of powdered root with 5 oz. of hot water and steep like tea, then mix with your regular feed. Some of the benefits of using Valerian root are that, along with offering a calming effect, it also slows peristalsis, thus slowing the passage of food through the stomach and reducing the risk of diarrhea and other symptoms of colic. Some of the other homeopathic remedies are Chamomile, Vervain Root, and Melatonin (which may make him drowsy). There are also manufactured products such as Confidence Plus and Calm & Cool (I have never used either) that will apparently have the same effects. Keep your horses and dogs in mind during this holiday and remember that they might be a little scared. A carrot a day does a good job too. ;)

Back at it again...

Following last week's accident, I have returned to work. And it's a good thing. I don't think that I could have handled the boredom much longer. However, it was certainly not the vacation that I had envisioned for myself.

Anyway, it is definitely nice to be back amongst the living. We had a huge order waiting for us Monday morning. Turns out, Pebble Beach Equestrian Center needs to re-outfit their entire herd, and have commissioned us to do it! This is pretty neat! So, 13 Halter Bridles and 13 sets of reins later, I finally have time to sit down and look at the social media! Here are some shots of the bulk tack.

It was quite the task, but we did it!

I don't know about where you are today, but it is HOT here!! The heat index is something over 100 degrees today. Yikes. The horses are all hiding from the sun. Keep an eye on your pets this week and when it gets like this! Remember that everyone will be drinking a little bit more water, so keep an eye on that stock tank and don't forget about a drink for your horses and dogs when on the trail!