Saturday, January 30, 2021

Saddle Box Subscription Review

I received a three month Saddle Box subscription from my sister as a birthday gift, and this is the first box I received.  I wasn't familiar with this product, but it seems that they make their own brand of horse treats and combine that with a few other products.  My particular box contained: 3 types of Saddle Box horse treats; a comb and small spray bottle of Fiebing's Satin Sheen, and a Tough-1 brush.

Cupid is a somewhat picky horse, though he has gotten a little more adventurous over the years.  He loves carrots and apples, most commercial horse treats (originally not liking peppermint but he's come around to them), and doesn't even mind bute or antibiotics in his food.  But he won't touch most people food, and even most fruits - he's a firm no on bananas and watermelon.  He did eat grapes and blueberries the first time I offered it to him, but hasn't since.  So he's a pretty test subject!

So first up we have the "Sweet Saddles" which is a hard candy!  I haven't seen anything else like this for horses.  I would say it smells like anise.  I did not think Cupid would try this, but to my surprise he ate one right up.  The big test was the second day (as I said, sometimes he will eat something once but not again), but he ate it the second day too so I call this one a win.  And I'll admit I tried it too - it is pretty herbal and reminded me of a Ricola!

Next up we have the "PonyDoodles" Honey Sticks.  These are small, they are crunchy but not too hard, and don't really have a smell.  Cupid ate a few day one, and I thought we were 2 for 2.  But alas, on day 2 he was no longer interested.  So I'll admit I also tried these (and yes they do say not for human consumption.) 😊  They remind me of the Trader Joe's honey wheat pretzel sticks just without the salt. 
The third treat is some sort of mash, which I haven't tried yet but Cupid's birthday is coming up so we may save it for then.

The other products don't really need much explanation.  I hadn't tried the Fiebing's brand detangler/sheen before but upon first use it's comparable to other similar products.  I don't use these types of products on a regular basis, but every few weeks when I go through Cupid's tail I use a bit and that's how I tried this.  It has a light, pleasant scent.  

The Tough-1 brush has medium stiff plastic bristles and is not the type of brush I use on Cupid, but I used it to knock the dirt off my boots after I rode. 

The box was a fun surprise.  I wouldn't say it's worth getting for yourself, but I do think it makes a good gift for a horse lover and I am looking forward to seeing what's in my next box!

Friday, January 15, 2021

Lesson Notes

I've been continuing to take weekly biomechanics lessons on a school horse, as well as a weekly session with my regular coach.  My SO asked about this (possibly trying to wrap his head around how much I'm spending on this hobby 😂) so I came up with a sports analogy to explain it.  I said my biomechanics instructor was like my QB coach, who works with me on the finer points of technique.  My regular coach is like the offensive coordinator, who looks at the big picture and how Cupid and I work together as a team.  So I guess I still have room for a head coach?!

My last biomechanics lesson focused more on the arms and upper body, since I think my lower half is starting to show some improvement! 

-"Soggy arms" is what my instructor says I have.  She says my whip is a dead giveaway, as it flops around when my arms are soggy.  So she basically grabbed my lower arm with both her hands and told me to get the feeling of lifting her off the ground (but without actually lifting my hands).  

-Opposing forces: keeping my elbows back, but get the feeling of pushing my hands forward at the same time.  Suggested imagery was thinking of pushing a wheelbarrow.

-My tendency is to make my front half longer than the back.  Need to make sure I'm not arching my lower back.  Think about pilates, pressing my lower back against the mat.

-Post through my thighs, not my feet.  To get the feeling, my instructor will put her hand under my feet (at the halt!) and tell me not to crush it!

-I tend to sit more on my right seatbone.  Especially tracking right, make sure I'm balanced on both seat bones and my chin is in line with the withers (which may mean I need to think about looking slightly outside the circle - which may explain why Cupid can overbend through his neck to the right and my lesson horse was drifting in on the circle!)

-Continued working on the "slapkick" - a quick touch with the lower leg making sure I don't turn in my heels.  Think about the stirrup touching the horse, not my heels.

Getting better!  And oh so serious 😂

My last lesson with Cupid seems oh so long ago so I'm having trouble remembering details, but I remember having a great feeling when it ended!  The primary objective is still getting Cupid rounder, as well as making sure he's in front of the leg / prompt transitions. 

Also in other news, Cupid's been a bit of a lesson horse himself, as a young lady at my barn has ridden him a few times with our mutual coach.  Her horse unfortunately had to be retired, and her new OTTB is getting some time off.  She is a very nice person and hard worker, so I am happy to help out and know Cupid will take great care of her and start showing her the ropes what she can expect with her own horse down the line!

Friday, January 8, 2021

Estate Planning for Horse Owners (under California law)

What would happen to your horse if something happens to you??  I've still been struggling with motivation to write, but I decided to put together a basic primer on estate planning for horse owners.  This is very generalized (contact an attorney for your specific situation), and based on California law, but may give you some options or at least something to think about. 

Disclaimer: this is not intended as legal advice, and does not create any attorney-client relationship.