Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit Day! As promised, we're back to our favorite color scheme. Shiny is modeling again for us this week because she's using one of my favorite saddle pads and it's one I only use in the winter so figured we should share it now in case winter actually ends sometimes soon. Here's what we  were wearing today:

I hadn't noticed from the ground, but it looks like her golden color is starting to come back! Hopefully she'll start shedding soon and we can be rid of her winter pink coat. Are your horses shedding yet? Eros is thinking about it, but Shiny and Al haven't started at all yet. Seems like most of the other horses at the barn have started. But mine also aren't terribly fuzzy so maybe that's why they're slow to get going. I hasn't been above 25 degrees so it would be wise of them to keep the hair!

Here's a better photo of Shiny's outfit:

The side eye is my favorite thing about this photo. Also, her tail is looking pretty good this year other than the staining at the bottom... but even that isn't as bad as it can be. (Mares are so gross.)

Bridle: Pinnacle

Brow Band: Boy O' Boy Bridleworks

I know this bridle fits her a little oddly. Like I almost think she could use a full size crown piece and then all the other parts cob... but I'm not buying another one to make that happen. Regardless of the odd sizing, I think it looks really pretty on her. These are a great bridle if you're looking for something attractive but inexpensive. 

Saddle: Custom Saddlery

Saddle Pad: Mattes

Before Hufglocken stopped selling Mattes, they had a great sale and I picked up a bunch of these pads. They have sheepskin along the edges as well as in all the half pad areas. I had gotten them the year that all the horses were getting rubbed by literally anything that touched them, and these did a nice job of not doing that.

Boots: Eskadron

We use these a lot in the winter because they're some of my favorites. Too warm definitely for summer time, but no tendons are overheating in the 20 degrees. I can assure you of that.

That's what Shiny wore, and here's what I had on:

I think the weather of late is poop, so I dressed like a poop today. But honestly, I love a good brown. Even if it's poop color. 

Helmet: One K Avance CCS Mips

Still the same helmet. I really should have brought a Samshield over for this weather because I have that liner with the warm ear flaps... Alas, I keep forgetting.

Sweater: TKEQ
Quarter Zip: Ariat

I snagged this wool blend TKEQ sweater on closeout a couple of years ago. it's getting a little pilled, but who cares for a barn sweater? It's warm and comfy and perfect for this cold spell. The quarter zip underneath is merino and also provides a nice layer of warmth. I layered these with both a puffy vest and jacket from Old Navy which you can see in the first photo on this post.

Belt: Tory Burch

I'm a sucker for a green belt and Tory Burch seems to also love them. This buckle is getting pretty scratched up and that's how you know this is an often chosen belt.

Breeches: Dover Wellesley

You guys have seen these a lot this winter. I have a decent collection of these breeches, but most of the ones I have are in the blue or black family. I have no green ones which is a real tragedy. Since I have no green, this tan pair and the brown pair I have get a lot of use.

Paddock Boots: Celeris UK
Chaps: Journeyman

I had to bust these back. I can't emphasize enough how much warmth full chaps provide. I do have a sad update on the paddock boots though. One of the zippers is breaking. I'm hoping to nurse them through the rest of the winter, but they are definitely going to need a repair soon. The nearly 29 year old chaps are going strong though! Admittedly, they are a bit more snug with this winter insulation I've added... but I'm working on that.

That's it for today! One of the boys will model next week, it's their turn for sure!

Thursday's Threads

 

I planned ahead in case we didn't get to ride today due to arctic temps. We did ride today (kind of, very lightly) but I'm sticking with the outfit from Monday because it was perfect for the cold weather. I don't normally ride on Mondays but since I knew Tuesday and Wednesday would be non riding days, I made an exception. We opted for Sunday Funday type rides since it was fake Sunday for us this week. Shiny wanted to be our model and who am I to argue with a mare? Here's what we had on:

Why yes, it was ridiculously cold on Monday! But not below 20. So we carried on.

Bridle: Joseph Sterling

Brow Band: Dark Jewel Designs

This bridle is looking even better now that it has a fresh coat of oil on it!

Bareback Pad: Brockamp
Baby Pad: Wilkers

Girth: Mattes
Quarter Sheet: Equine Wears

This bareback pad is definitely one of my favorite things. Sometimes it really is worth spending a little money on something you'll use and enjoy for many years. My only trouble with it is that my quarter sheets are designed for a long girth with the billets higher up, so I had to get a little creative to use it with the bareback pad. Thankfully, I have these billet straps that are removable that came with our Eskadron glitter pads. I almost threw them out because I don't use them on saddle pads. Glad I didn't! They are perfect for this need. 

Boots: Premier Equine

We were using navy pads last week so we had navy boots still for this ride. They did not match our outfit. Hey, it happens!

Here's what I wore:

The colors say spring, the weights say winter!

Helmet: One K CCS MIPS

I really need a new helmet photo. Or better still to swap this one out for a different one for a few weeks.

Sweater: Handmade by my momma

Shirt: Akini

You guys might not know this since I haven't worn anything by her in awhile, but my mom is a really talented knitter. When I was in high school she even owned her own yarn store. She recently became a test knitter for a lady that writes patterns and this sweater is one of those test knits. It's all wool and super warm. I really love it! The shape is very much on trend this year, and it's SO WARM! Perfect for this winter. The shirt underneath is merino and one that I found at TJ Maxx several years ago. (I layered a puffy vest and puffy jacket over top while I was at the barn.)

Belt: Mane Jane

I was very excited to discover that this Mane Jane belt is a very similar shade to the sweater.

Breeches: Romfh Arctic Fleece

My mom actually got me these breeches either last year or the year before, I forget which, for Chanukah. I don't normally wear winter pants as I generally dislike how they feel. But I asked her for these in case I went nutty and decided to show in the winter. I haven't worn them until now because I was saving them for shows, but the cold weather makes you do crazy things! Like wear warm pants. Guys, I LOVE these. I immediately went online to see if I could find another pair or two at a good price. They are still readily available (ten out of ten, highly recommend!) but they are still super full price. You can find the full seat version on sale for a great deal, but they are silicone seat and those mark my saddle. So I did not yet get any more. Maybe next year. They are cut the same as the Sarafina so if you like those and need warm pants, you'll probably love these too.

Socks: Lettia

A few years back Lettia did a collab with Thelwell and they made a bunch of stuff with Thelwell prints on them. When I was a tiny kiddo I used to ride these two ponies with my now best friend in this older lady's backyard. She ran the answering service for my dad's company when it was just starting in a spare room in our house. And when companies used answering services. Anyway, that older lady introduced my now bff and I to the Thelwell comics and I've loved them ever since. So there was no question that I would get some Thelwell socks when they came out! I have baby pads too, but they're blue not purple so we didn't use them this week. 

Chaps: Journeyman

Paddock Boots: Celeris UK

I know. I need a new chap photo too. But this is an accurate representation! What I'd really like is to have warm enough weather to wear some fun boots. But alas... it will be chap weather for awhile. Thankfully I still love these very much. I do think I'll have to get some repairs done on them at some point. Some of the stitching holding the legs to the belt is coming undone. But that's really not bad considering how old they are.

So that's what Shiny and I were wearing earlier in the week! Any favorites? I sure had a lot of stories this week... thanks for sticking it out till the end!