Month: November 2024

Alright, who’s ready to participate in a little bit of capitalism at it’s finest?

Or, if you need to make it sound responsible and intelligent, we can call it “stocking up on essentials and buying holiday gifts while things are on sale”. Whatever you gotta tell yourself in order to feel less financially irresponsible. I’m not here to judge, I’m only here to enable.

Either way, welcome to the Equestrian Master List of Black Friday sales for 2024!

Here we go with the usual spiel: some of these sales are already active, others won’t be live until later in the week. I’ve included date info where I can, but if you’re not seeing the sale yet, just try their page again later. What I’m publishing today (Thursday) is very much just the tip of the iceberg – I’m tracking dozens of different sales that will be releasing their info later in the week. Keep checking back here, new ones will be posted AT THE BOTTOM BY DATE ADDED so they don’t get lost in the mix. Happy Shopping!

_{***Just a PSA, because apparently I have to say this due to the events of years past… if you are a business owner who’s sale is NOT on this list and you would like it to be added, please just send me a polite email or DM with the information for your sale and I will happily add it. I am just one person trying to do this as a public service in my spare time, so naturally there are plenty of sales I won’t see. Kind notes are always appreciated! Rude ones are not.}

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If you value the many days of work that goes into making this list and want to help keep me caffeinated so I can continue to update it frequently (dopamine for errybody!), I appreciate you the extra mostest.

Ride iQ – 35% off your first membership payment (that’s over $100 savings if you do an annual membership) 11/27 and 11/30 with code TAKE35. Note – you must redeem this via the website, not the app, and it applies to new members only. Y’all know how much I love Ride iQ, this is a great deal.

Riding Warehouse – Their best sale of the year! 20% most items (some exclusions) plus big markdowns on clearance.

FLAIR Strips – Spend over $30 receive a FREE FLAIR Strips Single Pack, spend over $100 receive a FREE FLAIR Strips Six Pack, plus orders over $60 qualify for FREE Shipping through 12/2.

Black Diamond Designs – Plaited Halters (the stunning one that Presto has!) marked down to $80 on Black Friday only. This sale is exclusive to this list, you won’t see it anywhere else!

Higher Standards Leather Care – another exclusive! Get 20% off your order with code BREBF20.

Breed.Ride.Event. Patreon – Trying out this little Black Friday thing and offering a discount to my Patreon for the first time ever. Get 10% off a new annual subscription from 11/27 to 12/2 with code BREBF10.

Luxe EQ – Even more exclusive codes! 10% off $100 order with BRE10 or 20% off $500 order with BRE20. Check their website and Instagram for huge savings, up to 75% off a huge clearance collection of top brands.

Pinsnickety – 20% off storewide from Black Friday through Cyber Monday plus free shipping on orders over $80.

Equiluxe Tack – 20% off sitewide from 11/28 to 12/3

Bow Horse USA – 40% off Ziko fly sheets (my fave!)

Dark Jewel Designs – Use code Gamble30 for 30% off most custom items in the Etsy shop through 11/30

Royal Equine – different deals every day, including Customer Appreciation: First 10 orders of the day from Friday-Sunday receive a surprise gift in their order, Cyber Monday get an e-gift card for future purchases, weekend BOGO deals including buy a show jacket, get breeches or show shirt 40% off, buy a saddle pad, get ear bonnet 40% off

Majyk Equipe – 25% off storewide

Arion HST – all products up to 50% off

Trafalgar Square Books – 25% off storewide

Remarkable Leather Goods – Free nameplate with leather goods purchase with code RLGBF24 on 11/29 and 11/30

Spot On Braiding Wax – 20% off waxed thread with THX20, and 10% off braiding wax with THX10

Free Ride Equestrian – up to 50% off select items plus various Deals of the Day

Saddle Seeks Horse – 15% off with code MISTY15

Corro – various deals up to 70% off

Victoria Rose Equestrian Athletics – all seamless quarter zips $30 and all original performance tops $25 on 11/29.

Canter Culture – 30% off sitewide through 12/6

Maximillian Equestrian – 20 to 50% off storewide

If the Bonnet Fits – $15 off on air mesh bonnets, $10 off on crochet bonnets, and $5 off on browbands. Message on facebook to order.

Stockbubble – 15% off storewide from 11/28-11/30

Transitions Equestrian Outlet – 30% off sitewide (discount applies automatically in cart)

Vanner House – 30% off sitewide through 11/30

Dada Sport – up to 40% off select items

Stablewear – up to 40% off sitewide

Equestrian Club Shop – 30% off regular price items with code BFDEAL, plus free Club slides with code EQSLIDES and free shipping when your order is over $300.

Stubben NA – 20% off saddle pads, reins, breastplates, and bits, 50% off bridles and stud girths

The Connected Rider – up to 70% off select items and free gifts

Hufglocken – 30% off storewide with code BLACK30

Cambox – various deals up to $50 off all week long

Fundis Equestrian – various deals up to 60% off during Black Week

Pivo Pod – up to 60% off sitewide

Royal Equestrian – 15% off anything already on sale with code BLACK15

Romitelli Boots – 15% off sitewide starting 11/29

Kastel – up to 40% off storewide and free gift card with purchase through 12/1

Lumiere Equestrian – storewide discounts

Espoir Equestrian – 25% off sitewide, BOGO show shirts, and free shipping (some exclusions) from 11/27 through 12/2

Mrs Ros – up to 50% from 11/29 through 12/2

Equisite – 25-50% off select styles through 12/2

Anatomeq – 15-25% off sitewide plus free shipping

Leveza – various discounts storewide

Correct Connect – 20% off leather goods, 20% off reins, 10% off apparel, saddle pads, and gloves

Gutzbusta Hay Nets – 20% off storewide

Pomme Equestrian – 20 to 50% off storewide during Black Week

Etalon Vert – up to 70% off storewide plus buy 3 get 1 free deals

Design by Dalia – different discounts each day, check their Instagram stories!

Voltaire Designs – up to 50% off select accessories and free shipping from 11/29 to 12/2

Thinline – 25% off with code BF2024 from 11/25 through 12/2

Ponyo Horsewear – up to 50% off from through 12/2

Smartpak – 20% off with code BF2024, plus a free gift with orders $200+

100X Equine – 15% off sitewide, discount applied at checkout

Fager Equestrian – 20% off regularly priced items and up to 70% off sale items

Ice Horse – 20% off with code SAVINGS through 12/2

PS of Sweden – up to 40% off most items

Veltri Sport – 20% off with code BFCM20

Saratoga Horseworks – up to 30% off through 12/3

LA Saddlery – 25% off sitewide plus an extra 25% off sale items, discount automatically applied at checkout

Botori – 25% off storewide through 11/30

Equipad – 60% off saddle pads, 20% off breeches, up to 70% off tops, 20% off accessories

Cavalliera International – 40-70% off storewide through 12/1

Adam’s Horse Supplies – up to 20% off various brands

Fairfax and Favor – up to 20% off select items

Haybales and Barbells – 50% off all programs

Le Fash – Up to 80% off sitewide plus free shipping on orders $100+ through 11/30

Decopony – 20% off with code BF20 through 11/29

Airstride Equine – $25 off any set of 4 boots through 12/2

Old Mill Saddlery – up to 60% off select brands

LeMieux – up to 50% off select items

PurVida Healthy Horse – up to 50% off plus BOGO deals

The Collected Pony – 20% off storewide (clearance excluded) with code BLACKFRIDAY24 from 11/29 through 12/2

Canter Culture Designs – 30% off sitewide with a minimum purchase of $25 through 12/6

The Tack Hack – 20% off storewide through 12/2

Sync Equestrian – 20-50% off storewide

FarmVet – 15% off storewide with code BLACKFRIDAY15 plus special deals

Maya Delorez – up to 40% off storewide

XLR8 Equine – 15% off Velocity products and 10% off Redline products through 12/2

Divoza – various deals and discounts

Nunn Finer – 20% off storewide plus free shipping on orders over $100 to continental US

Criniere – 25% off sitewide

Horse Pilot – select items up to 70% off through 12/1

Weatherbeeta – various items on sale

Kerrits – up to 70% off storewide

Discount Equestrian UK – early deals up now, sitewide sale starts 11/29

Lady Godiva Equestrian – up to 80% off sale items through 11/30

Divine Equestrian – 20-25% off sitewide through 11/30

Masego Horsewear – 25% off sitewide

Yagya – up to 30% off

FITS – 15-20% off full price items plus deep discounts on closeout items

Mochara – up to 80% off

Gallagher’s Water – get free hydration treats plus free shipping on orders of $29.99 or more

Equestrian Stockholm – up to 50% off sitewide

Saddle Mattress – 10% off saddle mattress supreme collection, vertex collection, bridle mattress collection, and replacement covers with code FF

House of Montar – 30% off select items

Nupafeed – Cyber Monday Sale

Laguso Equestrian – new deals each day during Black Week

Hy Equestrian – special offers up to 50% off

Redingote Equestrian – 15% off full priced items plus free shipping

Dover Saddlery – 20% off plus various deals and discounts through 11/26

Equinavia – 20% off storewide plus up to 70% off clearance

GG Equine – up to 20% off storewide through 11./29 through 12/2

Goode Rider – use code BF30 for an additional 30% off sitewide

Pony Jet – 30% off

Bit of Britain – discounts on various brands up to 75% plus daily deals

La Mundial Boots – $150 off all boots

Horseloverz – various deals up to 60% off plus free gifts

Schwarze Equestrian – up to 70% off storewide

Ronner Design – 35% off with code RIDE35

Dreamers and Schemers – 25% off sitewide

Cavallo Hoof Boots – up to 30% off plus free shipping

Ellsworth – buy one get one 30% off

Dapple Bay – 20% off sitewide, VIP list gets an extra 20% to stack

Engel Sheepskin – 20% off with code holiday20

Rick’s Heritage – 20% off Kerrits and One K, 15% off Kask, Ariat rebates

MDC Stirrups – phone orders only (if you’re into that sort of thing) $100 off MDC Ultimate stirrups, MDC Comfort Stirrups, and MDC Black Ultimate Stirrups

Shefit– 30-70% off sitewide

Superlative – up to 60% off

Animal Genetics – 50% off canine and equine testing (does not apply to dna profile or parentage) with code BIGSAVINGS through 12/9

Pioneer – up to 30% off with code BLACKOFF24

Clovis – 30% off Clovis Athletic club, 50% off everything else through 12/2

Equestrian+ – 25% off annual memberships with code HOLIDAY25

Vala Equestrian – up to 50% off sitewide

Barnes Tack Room – 11/29 through 12/2 get 10% off saddles, girths, and stirrup leathers. On 11/29 get 25% off bridles, reins, and martingales. On 11/30 and 12/1 get 25% off Custom Derby halters and leads, on 12/2 get an extra 25% off sale items. Every $100 spent gets an entry for a giveaway on $1000 off a custom saddle.

Horse Gloss – up to 30% off

Lara Tweedie – 30% off sale section

Equine Essentials – up to 80% off clearance 11/29-11/30

EquLifestyle Boutique – 30% off everything through 12/2

Horseware – up to 60% off sitewide

Shop USEF – 30% off sitewide

Esprit Equestrian – sitewide discounts

Equi In Style – Buy 2 get 1 Free through 12/2 with code BUY2GET1

Aztec Diamond Equestrian – 11/28 through 12/2 up to 75% off select items and at least 20% off sitewide

Equiflair – clearance up to 80% off and 10% off with code EQUI10

Schneiders – sitewide discounts up to 80% off

Valley Vet – $25 off $250, $35 off $350, $50 off $500 with code BFSALE plus doorbusters and special discounts

Equizone – 30% off sitewide with code EZOBLACKFRIDAY2024

Armateq – various deals up to 25% off

The Infused Equestrian – 15% off through 11/30 with code BF15

Haylo Haynets – 10-20% off

High Point Eq – 20% off lifestyle items, 50% off white crystal saddle pads, 40% off other pads, buy a set of four boots and get a saddle pad free, and free shipping over $100

Redpost – up to 50% off various brands

Equestroom – 30% off sitewide with code BLACK30

Bridles and Reins – 35% off all orders with code BNR35, 50% off orders over $250 with code BNR50

Ethos Equestrian – up to 70% off

Equiport – up to 30% off sitewide

Sabi Equestrian – up to 40% off

Practical Horseman – give one, get one yearly subscriptions

Fenwick Equestrian – four weeks of BOGOs. Week 1 buy a horse blanket, get an Equisuede calming throw. Week 2 buy any mask get a set of ear plugs. Week 3 BOGO quick wraps. Week 4 Buy a set of boots get a set of leg wraps.

Tack Shack of Ocala – spin the wheel to earn a discount up to 50%

Henry James Saddlery – 15% off all orders, 20% off orders over 200 GBP, 25% off orders over 250 GBP, 30% off orders over 300 GBP

Millbrook Leathers – 30% off with code blackfriday

Weather or Not Equestrian – 50% off breeches

The Traditional Equestrian – 20% off sitewide through 12/2

Riviera Equisports – up to 40% off select items and get free shipping with code BFS

Mane Event – 30% off sitewide through 12/2

Horsemens Pride – BOGO 50% off sitewide through 12/2

Equus Now – up to 80% off sale items

Haylo Equestrian – 20% off plus free shipping

Fair Hill Saddlery – 20% off sitewide (some exclusions)

Euphoric Equestrian – 25% off with code EE25

Equestrian Fashion Outfitters – up to 80% off sale items through 12/2

SS Equestrian Jumps – $35 off custom dog or custom logo fillers with free shipping, or $200 custom jump on 11/29 only

Manhattan Saddlery – up to 20% off almost everything, including 15% off Kask and DeNiro from 11/29 through 12/2

Equestly – 30% off Elite breeches

Ecogold – 15% off with code code BLACKFRIDAY or get 20% off on orders over $300 with the code BIGSPENDER through 12/2

Farm House Tack – 20% off sitewide through 12/2

Halter Ego – up to 50% off through 12/2

US Rider – 20% off membersip with code BF24 through 12/1

BellEq – 40% off riding tops (discount in cart)

Kathryn Lily – 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY24

Teddy’s Tack Trunk – 10% off with code 2024SALE

Starpoint Horsemanship – use code 10OFF30 for 10% off orders over $30 or code BF30 for 30% off orders over $100+

Grey Horse Candle Co – 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY24 plus free shipping on orders over $75

Equivont – $150 off La Mundial boots, 30% off Brave Pants, 40% off candles

American Equus – 10% off sitewide

Breeches.com – 20% off sitewide and free shipping over $50

HorseWell Massager – 25% off

Islefield – 30% off sitewide with code BESTDEAL30

Bluebonnet Feeds – 25% off all pastes

Bare Equestrian – 25% off storewide

Summit Animal Health – 25% off storewide with code BF25

Flexineb – 10% off all Flexineb E3 systems through 12/2 with code SAVE10

Valentine Equine – sitewide discounts

Happy Horse Tack Shop – 20% off storewide (excluding closeouts and consignment) from 11/3-12/2 with code SBS24

Thinline – 25% off plus free shipping with code BF2024

All About Equestrian – 20% off storewide (some exclusions) with code BLACKFRIDAY20 through 12/2

Equestrian Team Apparel –  20% off all Horze, plus Le Ride & Tailored Sportsman Shirts with code BLACKFRIDAY

My Breeches – various savings up to 50% off starting evening of 11/28 through 12/1

Olson’s Tack – 15% off storewide including custom DeNiro boot orders

MK Custom Equine Creations – 30% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY30

OTTB Mafia – discounts in the Etsy shop

Cavaliere Couture – 25% off through 12/2 with code BLACKFRIDAY

Frank Baines – 25% off accessories with code BFM25 through 12/7

Equine Sleeve – 30% off sitewide 11/28 and 11/29

EnviroEquine – spin the wheel for up to 50% off 11/29 through 12/3

Riders House – extra 20% off at checkout with code Black2024 for items in the Black Friday Sale

Equestrian Collective – 30% off storewide until 11/29

Ride or Die Equestrian – discounts up to 60% off

Tacktical – 30% off with code BF30

Trolle Company – up to 60% off

Arista Equestrian – 10% off automatically at checkout, including sale items

HLH Equestrian – 25% off sitewide (discount at checkout)

Pony Suds – 35% off spray soap and leather conditioner through 12/1 with code BF35

Areion Systems Horsewear – 40% off with code BF40

Nikovian – 20% off sitewide

Vitalize – 15% off through 12/3 with code BLACKFRIDAY15

Glittermarx – 25% off sitewide with code BF25 through 12/1

Stylish in the Saddle – 20% off sitewide through 12/2, discount applied in cart

Tack Solutions Consignment – 10% off storewide on 11/29 plus 5% off saddles

Ride Equisafe – 10% off sitewide including sale and free canister with every air vest purchase

Tried Equestrian – 20% off sitewide, 50% off the markdown collection (20% stacks) with code VIPBFCM20

Dapper Horse – up to 50% off starting 11/29

Equisani – 25% off through 11/29 with code blkfri

Tredstep Ireland – 25% off with code BF2024

Big Dee’s – 10% off sitewide plus various doorbusters up to 75% off

Chick’s Saddlery – various items on sale up to 90% off

11/28 8PM UPDATE

Fleeceworks – 20% off sitewide until 12/2 with code THANKFUL24

Noelle Floyd – 50% off annual memberships with code BLACKFRIDAY50

Hexes and Horses – Clothing buy one get one 25% off through 12/2

Neighborly Tack – 20% off sitewide including sale items

Spiced Equestrian – Free gifts with purchase: scrunchie with every order, hat with $80+, watch with $150+). Secret sale for newsletter subscribers (hint hint).

Three Beat Apparel – 25% off sitewide (discount in cart)

Holistic Animal Studies – 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

2nd Round Equestrian – various discounts applied automatically at checkout through 12/2

Hypostore – 30% off sitewide with code EARLYBIRD

Beval Saddlery – 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Derby Clothing Company – 35% off regular priced breeches with code BF35 and free shipping on orders over $100.

My Riding Boots – 10% off Petrie. 15% of DeNiro, Tricolore, and Ariat. 20% off Samshield 1.0 and KEP Italia 1.0 and 2.0. 70% off Charles Owen.

MagnaWave – buy any MagnaWave PEMF machine and pay only $1000 for the ROC Red Light or the Hoof Plate attachment, plus free shipping through 12/2.

Auven Equestrian – 15% off sitewide (discount applied at checkout) through 12/1

Bridleberry Leather Tack – Free gem-trimmed fly bonnet with orders over $99 on 11/29

Sona Equestrian – 15% off with code BLACKFRIDAY15

Jods – 20% off sitewide with code BF20 through 12/2

Mary’s Tack – up to 20% off top brands plus gifts with purchase through 12/2

Snuggy Hoods – up to 30% off

Spectra Therapy – 25% off sitewide with code FRIDAY through 11/30

High Score Equestrian – 15% off sitewide

MC Performance Equine – 20% off sitewide

Draper Therapies – $20 polos, save $25 on dressage saddle pads, save an extra $5 on body wraps seconds, save $10 on shoulder wraps, and get free shipping with code FREESHIP

Texas Haynet – 15% off with code PBBFCMRLFLHZQ7

Super X Country – 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY24 through 12/1

Mavrik Equine – 30% off through 12/2

11/29 9AM UPDATE

Retired Racehorse Project Store – 20% off plus free tote with $100 purchase

Mardari Equestrian – 20% off plus free shipping with code BlackFriday

Her Riding Habit – 50% off through 12/2

Jack’s Favorites Horse Treats – 30% off sitewide

Devoucoux – 25% off tack

World Equestrian Brands – 20% off sitewide

Butet – 50% off the Outlet through 12/2

Zarasyl – 25% off barrier cream plus free shipping

Konke’s Own – 20% off sitewide

Vision Saddlery – 10% off Antares helmets, 20% off select Struck apparel, Ogilvy, Equifit, Flex-On

Equine Confections – 20% off with code EQCBLACKFRIDAY

Two Horse Tack – free shipping with code BLACKFRI24

Chagrin Saddlery – up to 20% off plus a free backpack with orders over $300

Total Saddle Fit – 20% off plus free shipping

The Tack Trunk Hamptons – 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY24

Renegade Hoof Boots – 15% off core colors with code BLACK15 through 11/30

Horsehoodz – various deals up to 80% off

Struck Apparel – sitewide discounts up to 70%

Ace Equestrian – 20% off sitewide

Omega Fields – 11/29 only get 25% off 9.5lb Omega Horseshine Complete with code BLACKFRIDAY24 and 25% off two or more 3.5lb Nibblers with code BFTREATS

Golden Fox Equestrian – 30% off with code BFCM30

FUN Bonnets – 20% off through 12/2

Espana Silk – 20% off with code BlackFriday24 through 12/2

Platinum Performance – $50 gift card when you spend $200 or more through 12/1

Forage Porridge – 15% off sitewide through 12/2

Sprenger USA – 10% off sitewide through 12/3

Stacked by Samantha – 20% off sitewide

Juremka Equitation – 15% off sitewide on custom orders and in stock items with code BLK15

Alberto Fasciani – 30% off sitewide with code 30MEMBERS through 12/2

Emcee Apparel – 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Mare Modern Goods – 20% off sitewide with code BF2024

Ridely – 40% off PRO annual membership

Gladiator Equine – free pair of PTR bell boots or fetlock wraps with every PTR blanket purchase

FireHorse Rescue – $100 off with code BLACKFRIDAY or CYBERMONDAY through 12/3

Equi-Tape – Education 50% off, Equi-Tape Advantage and Classic 30% off

Huston X Ellany – 20% off sitewide (discount in cart)

Equestrian Outfitters – 15% off Brave Pants breeches and shirts, 20% off Brave Pants jackets, 20% off Ikonic bridles and strap goods, 10% off Ultimate RepairV

Levade Kentucky – 70% off jackets, ponchos, and tights or 40% off any 2 vintage varsity items (discount applied at checkout)

AYR Equestrian – up to 70% off various items

Worldwide Tack – 20% off with code SHOPPINGSPREE through 12/3

Zandona – 20% off sitewide with code 20BLACKFRIDAY through 12/2

CWD – up to 30% off tack

EquiReel – 20% off all videos through 12/4

Flexible Fit – 30% off sitewide on orders over $75 with code friday30

11/30 8AM UPDATE

Novella Equestrian – get the Cody shirt for $49 and free shipping on all $50+ orders

Etalon Equine Genetics – on 12/2 take 15% off Pro Package, Ancestry Package, Pro Package + Ancestry Bundle, Health Panel, Color Panel, and the APHA Pro Package with code Cyber15.

Incrediwear Equine – buy one get the second 70% off

Equine Outfitters LLC – 30% off one regularly priced item with code BLACK30

Equine Essentials – 20% off sitewide with code BF24

Auburn Labs – 25% off with code CYBER24

USEA Shop – 15% off and free shipping on orders over $50 through 12/2 with code BLACKFRI15

Shine Equine – 25% off through 12/2 (discount in cart)

Sporthorse Essentials – 15% off sitewide

EquiSources – 25% off Carry Cool (discount in cart)

KC Equestrian Colours – buy one item get the next item 50% off through 11/30

Back on Track USA – 20% off through 12/2 (discount in cart)

Tack and Tweed – 15% off through 11/30 with code TACKFRIDAY

Monere Equestrian – 10% off one product, 20% off two products, 30% off three products

The Posh Pony Boutique – 20% off regular priced items, up to 70% off clearance with coupon code BF2024 through 12/2

Piaffe – 15-40% off storewide through 12/7

Urgo Beauty – 15% off plus free mystery eyeshadow when you spend $50+ through 12/2

Refined Rider Boutique – Kingsley demo boots sale, up to 40% off

Thiandro Equestrian – 15% off 50+, 20% off $100+, 40% off $200+

Ocala Tack Exchange – save $200 on all CWD saddles with code CWD2024, get free shipping on orders over $150 with code FREESHIP through 12/2

Asmar Equestrian – various discounts

Hunt Club – 25% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY24

12/2 10AM UPDATE

Last update (sorry about yesterday, I’ve had the plague)!

Tip: if any companies had sales that ended before today and you wish you’d bought something, it’s worth checking them again. Some businesses have extended their sales or are offering different discounts today. It might not be too late!

Nupafeed – storewide discounts today only

Annie’s Equestrienne – 30% off sitewide with code nofrenzyfriday

Common Sense Horse Keeping – buy the book and get a free laminated resource guide

hahaWhatever – 15% off with code Amy’sAngel$

Equihook – 20% off bundles

B Gone White Line Treatment – buy 2 get 1 free with code BF2024

MD Tack Exchange – $300 off any in-stock saddle with code CYBER

Silver Lining Herbs – 20% off with code CYBER20

Equine Bodywork Online – 50% off lifetime access

Dapper Darling – 20% off storewide

Equi-Prism – 20% off storewide

Dapple Up – buy any two bottles of shampoo (equine or dog) and get 30% off plus free shipping

Equiline USA – 20% off sitewide through 1pm EST, decreasing discounts throughout the day.

While it’s a holiday week for most, this is always one of the busiest weeks of the year for me. When you work mainly in social media, the holidays are busy. Plus there’s that pesky Black Friday Sales List that I have managed to bring upon myself like a lifelong curse, and yes it will be back this year. It might not be as ridiculously mega as it’s been in years past just because I truly don’t have 6+ hours a day to babysit it, but I’ve already been spending a fair amount of time gathering sales and the drafting process starts today. The first iteration of the list should be up by Thursday morning, so keep an eye out for that.

Since that’ll take up the whole end of the week, lets get caught up on all the other goings-on, shall we?

First and foremost: Mina update!

She has continued to improve day over day since she came home a week ago. Her attitude and demeanor are totally back to normal, she’s been eating great, and as of today she’s down from 5 medications to just one (and just a couple more days of that). She doesn’t have that TBI wobble anymore, and her back legs are getting stronger. The left hind is almost back to moving and holding weight normally… it’s pretty darn close. The right hind has been much slower, although it’s definitely still shown improvement. It was basically a dead fish floppy limb and now she’s able to brace it against the ground some, and she’s trying to move it when she’s walking.

She still can’t get around on her own, we’re utilizing the harness to assist her, but for a week it seems like pretty good improvement. She has a check-up appointment back at UF today, so we’ll see what they think of her progress.

I also got a new addition to my tattoo collection last week.

About a month ago my intrusive thoughts said I needed bangs and a tattoo, so naturally I did both. They were both fabulous ideas. I love the bangs, and I finally got the tattoo I’ve been thinking about for a long time. It’s Throne of Glass inspired – my favorite SJM series and my favorite characters were Manon and her wyvern Abraxos, so I went with Abraxos (and his flowers of course) and 13 stars to represent Manon’s coven, The Thirteen.

My appointment was Wednesday night and we didn’t even start until after 8pm, and ended up going until almost 11. We got a lot done in that session considering how big it is! It’s pretty much the whole front of my left thigh.

I’ll go back in a couple weeks so my artist can finish it… guessing we’ve got another hour or two to finish the bottom and add the rest of the line work detail. I love love love it though, I’m already thinking about what I want next. The only bummer is that I have to stay out of the pool until it’s all done healing, so I’m on hiatus from my 3x a week swims for a while. Genuinely sad about that, but in the grand scheme of things it’s short term.

Of course, like a day after I get a bangin thigh tattoo, Florida decided it’s winter. I have been DISPLEASED. We had a couple nights in the 30’s, which I feel like it’s godawful early to be that cold in Florida. I’m not into it whatsoever.

It’s warmed back up a bit now, but next week is supposed to be cold again, perhaps even with one night getting near or below freezing and the high being in the 50’s. What. The. Actual. Florida. Hardest of passes, my dude. I am an IGUANA, I want to be WARM. Why was summer 6 months long and fall was like a week?

Ya know who loves this weather tho? Our resident PA-bred boy.

He’s continued to really love his new turnout situation, and now that the worst of the bugs have retreated he’s spending less and less time in his stall. It seemed like he was really only coming in to eat his grain and alfalfa, so I moved all that outside (it’s dry season now) and I’m not sure that he’s been back in his stall since. He grazes, he sunbathes, he naps… but he’s suddenly a real outdoorsman, and I’m super pleased. He’s had so little turnout in his life, seeing him settle and relax into just being a happy outside horse gives me some feels.

The extra grass has also really upped his dad bod status.

He’s starting to look downright chonky, such that I’ve been able to cut his grain back and he still looks like he’s gaining. Super pleased about that too! Hopefully now that it seems like his system and metabolism have caught up to the sporthorse lifestyle I’ll be able to keep cutting back the concentrates, and he’s eating more forage.

Last week I also had a jump lesson on Presto, which was heavy on the rideability. There were cloverleafs, there were circles of death, there were tight rollbacks. Thank goodness we’ve finally figured out the flying changes because it was not an easy exercise with all the turning, but it was beneficial for both of us. The overarching theme was “leg”. This leg. That leg. More leg. Leg.

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This week I’ve got another jump lesson on the docket today and then a XC school again on Saturday. I was serious about going out every couple weeks and doing a little bit of XC so that I can get back in my gallopy mojo again. Season is quite literally just around the corner.

Which is maybe why one of the consignment shops I follow in Insta really got me in a weak moment.

The pic doesn’t do it justice but it’s a brilliant bright royal blue Horse Pilot jacket (with elbow patches… I do love a good elbow patch) that somehow fits me like a glove. It was a wicked good deal and I don’t even feel bad. Do I need more jackets? Sure as shit don’t. Does it please me? Absolutely.

I don’t really need anything as we go into Black Friday this year… I’d like to re-up my Farrier’s Formula if I find a good sale, otherwise I’m really just keeping my eye out for gifts. That doesn’t mean I’m marked safe from literally anything, but I’m gonna try my best to resist. Thoughts and Prayers.

It’s been a couple weeks since my last post and that was, truth be told, entirely intentional. I didn’t post anything last week because Mina got hit by a car on Monday and was in the hospital all week, and it was a real roller coaster. I didn’t know what to say… the first several days were very touch and go and we weren’t sure whether or not she was gonna make it.

She took quite the hit (from a Toyota Corolla – we were able to figure that out from the chunks of their car that were left behind) and had broken ribs, some banged up internal organs, and a collapsed lung. She took a hard blow to the head and spine, but luckily a CT revealed that there’s nothing broken there – just super banged up.

She’s had some complications here and there along the way (the latest was a clot near her gallbladder) but she’s really fighting and looks a bit better every day. Currently she doesn’t have use of her hind legs, but the good news is that she can feel her feet and wag her tail and poop/pee on her own with the help of a harness. Since yesterday she’s gotten the ability to prop herself up a bit on the left one… the right one is still a bit of a struggle to get it to do anything. They’re very hopeful that with time to heal she’ll regain use of those legs. Her demeanor looks a lot like a human who’s sustained a TBI, but she’s bright and happy, eating and drinking, and is very aware of everything happening around her. On Saturday she was still pretty out of it and wobbly, but today she’s really close to her normal demeanor again. Improvements day over day.

She’s a tough girl and despite the astronomical vet bill we’re really lucky that she appears to be able to make a pretty decent recovery and escaped the ordeal with no surgeries. We finally got to bring her home yesterday after 9 days at UF (shoutout to the staff there, they were all amazing) and she seems pretty happy.

In the meantime, life continued to tick on. Last week I had a XC lesson with Presto (our first in like 6-7 months) and it was maybe one of the best XC lessons I’ve ever had. Just really simple advice, but technical exercises and Presto and I both left with a big deposit in the confidence bank. I wish I’d had someone with me to video because he was absolutely brilliant at a big table to corner question and then again at a coffin to corner question. He’s always so much better when things are harder.

He was acting like he was tired by the end of the XC lesson (which wasn’t long by any means) so I was thinking I really need to buckle down on his conditioning. Apparently he was just lying to me last week, because yesterday I took him to Sweet Dixie to trot and canter the big hill and he was an absolute psychopath. Like 40 minutes later he wasn’t even breathing hard but my life had flashed before my eyes at least 3 times (especially the time when he tripped cantering down the hill because he was trying to run away with me, and then he got mad about tripping so he started bucking). I was regretting giving him the extra oxygen with his FLAIR strip.

Rubes also had a pretty busy week last week. I had scheduled a PostPE with my vet, now that he’s had a few months of turnout and R&R. I rode him a couple times before she came, actually asking him to do stuff, so that I could have some feedback for her… a lot of times I think feeling things can be a nice additional bit of information aside from what you can see just from jogging them.

He’s definitely a bit of a spicy boy, and the way his body felt to the left vs the right, plus how the different parts wanted to go vs didn’t want to go… it gave me some good insight that I was able to pass along to the vet.

So she came and we did the usual stuff… jogged him, flexed him, took some films of areas of concern. Truth be told there wasn’t anything remarkable about any of it. He was mildly positive to most of the flexions in the hind end but not super positive to anything. None of his xrays showed anything worrisome (his hocks actually look pretty darn good for a 10yo racehorse that raced 100 times, honestly). He was most reactive to anything SI related, which I suspected – he’s been sore in his SI since he got here, which I think is pretty typical of racehorses – and a bit to his stifles, so we opted to start with injecting those areas. She said to keep doing what I’ve been doing with the core exercises and the poles, and that I can even add in more polework.

After a couple days to let the injections settle, Rubes finally got to move to a new turnout.

The barn in the center of the property closest to my house used to be the “stallion barn” back when this was a TB operation. It’s a cinderblock barn with just 2 stalls and the rest is hay and equipment storage, but each stall has an attached turnout. Presto lives down there because it’s got the highest and sturdiest fences, therefore it’s the only place that can really contain him. The other stall has been vacant since last winter because for whatever reason or other, we either haven’t needed it or some other turnout space has just worked out better for whatever horses we were shuffling around.

I personally am a huge huge fan of turnouts with attached stalls, if and when at all possible. I like for them to be able to make the choice whether or not they want to be in or out, and I like that they have their own little comfy place to hang out if they want to. I’ve been wanting to turn Rubes out down there since he got here, but for whatever reason or other (first the mosquitoes were too bad, then it was one hurricane after the other and the turnout Henry would need to go in was flooded, then Presto fucked up his foot and had to spend a month up in the main barn with a tiny turnout, etc etc).

Finally last week the stars aligned and I was able to move everyone. Presto is back in his normal turnout, Rubes is in the stall/turnout across from him, and Henry has the turnout next to Rubes (no attached stall but lots of trees, so Henry approves). I was worried about how Rubes would handle it because he’s been such a little weirdo about turnout, and very insistent that he not be outside too much. But I guess what he really wanted was the option to come and go, because he’s been absolutely LOVING his new spot. The turnout is considerably bigger too, like 5 times bigger than his previous paddock. He comes inside for a couple hours at a time to nap or eat his hay or whatever, but most of the time he’s outside grazing. He’s been having so much fun discovering all the nature that I’ve started calling him Russell the Wilderness Explorer.

So I’m relieved that the transition went well, and that he seems happy. It also means way less stall cleaning for me (thank the lord, I feel like I’ve been cleaning stalls and slinging shavings nonstop since like May) since they’re all inside a lot less. Horses being outside as much as possible makes me happy in more ways than one.

I was about to be like “look at me managing to get a post done by Wednesday”. And then I realized it was Thursday so nevermind. I’m friggin tired y’all. No one has informed my body about the time change and I keep waking up at 3:30am unable to go back to sleep, despite trying to go to bed later to shift my sleep schedule. Really it’s just resulted in me not sleeping more than 5 hours any night. To add insult to injury, our barn worker has just stopped showing up, so now all 25 horses on the property are in my sole care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, plus all the maintenance, general farm stuff, and whatever Problem du Jour pops up. And this week marks the start of retail season, with me picking up some shifts at WEC on top of all my normal jobs. I have no days off in any way, shape, or form, and I’m started to feel exhausted all the way through every single bone I possess.

I have to start very early in the morning in order to have time to ride, and schedule carefully, but I’m not willing to sacrifice my riding time. That’s the whole reason I live here and do any of this, so it stays a priority, no matter what I have to do to make it happen. And I’ve been able to fit a lesson in last week as well as a lesson in this week – our first ones back since Presto’s Footie Incident.

Last week’s was absolutely absurd. I knew it wasn’t going to be great, being our first jump lesson back in like… 5 weeks? But I did not account for how positively WILD my animal would be.

I think my mistake was clipping him the afternoon before my lesson. I felt bad for him, because it’s still quite hot here (like… in the 80’s) and he was getting pretty hairy, so I didn’t want him to have to go back to lessons with all that hair. But then he showed up for his post-clip jump lesson like he was completely possessed, flipped his tail over his back, and proceeded to crow hop his way around the ring for the better part of an hour. Total lunatic.

I found it hilarious. Alex found it hilarious. Ellie, who was trying her best to still actually be helpful and professional and teach a lesson, found it perhaps less hilarious. Bless her. This week’s lesson was much more civilized, and we were actually able to jump around a few courses without being a complete mess. He was still a little bit rude, but not really wild about it anymore.

We worked on keeping him straight to the jumps (he kinda “cheats” a bit to give himself more room in the lines and not have to work harder at the base by drifting right) and keeping him lower in the neck through the corners to encourage him to stay more through to the base rather than wanting to hollow out a bit and drop his hind end out behind him out of the turn. It’s work. For both of us. But it was a very productive lesson I felt like, and when I do manage to keep him straight and keep him softer and lower in his neck, the difference in his jump quality is really obvious, even at a lower height. He actually pushes off his hind end rather than swinging it around.

Last Saturday was the annual charity tack sale that is my favorite local sale of the year. One of the 501c’s in town takes donated items all year long and then sells them at basically garage sale prices, which people go absolutely rabid for and it manages to earn a lot of money for their cause. It’s a superb win/win. A lot of the items are old or not in great condition, but if you get there when they start and are willing to dig through the dozens of various bins and piles, you can sometimes find some gems. And I think this year delivered even more so than last year.

I ended up with:

Hallie Coon’s old La Mundial boots (a bit big in the foot but adding an insole fixed that problem), a hard case grooming box with lots of fun compartments, a pair of Voltaire stirrup leathers (used but def still plenty of life left), a full set of brown leather Gygax jump boots (barely used), a full set of Equilibrium flex boots (a bit dirty but otherwise decent shape), black Thinline reins (in decent shape), a Five Star Tack figure 8 noseband with no sheepskin on the nose disk (never used), a standard black noseband (wanted an extra for my non-monocrown bridle since its original one is pretty dead) also looks pretty new, a pair of Cavallo pastern wraps for under the hoof boots (brand new in the bag), and two pairs of bell boots (one Italian that are new, one used generic brand).

All total I spent $31. That’s it. The most expensive item was the boots, at $10. I love that sale so freakin much. Nothing excites me more than getting a bunch of really good deals, especially on shit I will actually use/need (peep the boots in the above lesson photo from this week). They fit so well too. These things went around a bunch of 4* courses on Celien so maybe some of their juju will rub off and make me ride better. A girl can hope.

Sunday was Presto’s conditioning day, and we made the 10 minute commute over to Sweet Dixie so we could trot and canter their big hill. Presto also got joined by his favorite pony friend, in the form of Holly’s little dude Nacho, aka Nunez WTW. It never stops being funny to see the smallest and the biggest WTW horses side by side. Just a mere 3 hands of difference.

I have work stuff pretty much the whole rest of the week/weekend aside from a tattoo appointment on Saturday afternoon (oh also I decided I needed bangs so I cut myself some… and I love them… who knew bangs were where it’s at, I haven’t had any since I was in like elementary school). I’m hoping I can fit in a XC lesson next week but we’ll see. The schedule Jenga is getting a bit intense, but hopefully I can keep making it work. Who needs sleep anyway?

Normally our podcast stays behind the Patreon paywall, but we felt like this episode should be public!

People are always asking for advice and recommendations for spending time in Ocala with their horses during the winter season, so Hillary and I sat down with our friend Emily (who is also an event organizer and official… and a Patreon member!) to do a detailed episode on the who, what, when, where, and why of the eventing season in Ocala.

We tried to hit every relevant topic we could think of, from shows to restaurants to travel documents to the famous FHP Pinny Policy, so if you’re considering spending some time in Ocala with your horse, hopefully you find this helpful!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breed-ride-event/id1776695800?i=1000675267605