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Review: Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine

6/2/2015

1 Comment

 
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How we've been reviewing products for almost a year and have omitted Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine, I don't know. This product has been one of my favorites for almost 20 years now. My friend first introduced me to Cowboy Magic's Detangler & Shine when we wanted to pamper the school horses we were riding. Now, this Detangler & Shine is my go-to mane and tail detangler and conditioner. 

The Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine works, well, magic on Whisper's tail. Though I work on it daily, Whisper's tail is prone to dreadlocks and snarls, and its overall texture is rough and coarser than a typical horse's tail. Not pretty. With this awesome product, though, it just takes a little bit - maybe a teaspoon or a little more - rubbed into the top of Whisper's tail to completely change its texture. I work the product in with my hands and then start brushing from the top down, and the snarls and knots just disappear. Whisper's tail is left with a soft, sleek feel - no more of that coarse and brittle texture - and it looks healthier overall. I use this product every 3 or 4 days to keep Whisper's tail soft and smooth. 

I really like the Detangler & Shine because it doesn't contain silicone, which can dry out your horse's tail even more. Instead, this product conditions your horse's tail in a way that you can both see and feel. At the same time, it doesn't leave manes or tails as sticky dirt magnets, like some other products do. Your horse's mane and tail are silky and soft, and the shine that this product brings out makes your horse look truly impressive. 

If you're planning to use the Detangler & Shine, don't do so right before a horse show; your horse's hair will be so slick that braiding will not go well. However, I'd definitely use it a few days before, since its effect lasts and makes detangling manes and tails a breeze. 

Lastly, you really can't beat the price. Available in 4 ounce, 16 ounce, and 32 ounce bottles, you can purchase just what you need. The 16-ounce bottle starts at $7.99 at Dover Saddlery; you'll have a hard time finding a quality grooming product for less. 

1 Comment

Review: Mare Magic

5/28/2015

2 Comments

 
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Mare owners, rejoice - Mare Magic truly does work magic on cranky mares. Or at least on my cranky mare. Don't get me wrong - Whisper's sweet demeanor is what attracted me to her originally. But last year Whisper's crankiness grew worse and worse. I tried a whole slew of approaches, including treating her for Lyme and ulcers, having a chiropractor out, doing regular full-body massages, and carefully checking the fit of her tack. But still, she persisted in just being....grouchy. She was grumpy on the ground, constantly pinning her ears at me and at other horses, and just wasn't happy. Where had my sweet mare gone?

Enter Mare Magic. After being on Mare Magic for less than two weeks, Whisper's gentle nature began to emerge again. After a month, she was back to the kind mare that I love. While she certainly still has her attitude, she's not constantly cranky and is much more willing to allow other horses and humans in her space bubble. She's happy, relaxed, and content - I couldn't ask for more.

Suffice it to say, I'm thrilled Mare Magic all around. Made of dried raspberry leaves, this supplement is palatable and my picky mare readily eats it up. It's provided excellent results in Whisper's case. Best of all, Mare Magic is super affordable - it costs about $15 a month.

I'm sharing this review as evidence of what Mare Magic has done for Whisper. In her case, it worked, but every horse is different so you might not see the same results. I'd also encourage you to do a medical workup to make sure that your mare's moodiness isn't originating from a physical issue like ulcers, Lyme, or pain somewhere in the body.

2 Comments

Review: Real Women Ride No Knot Hair Net

5/27/2015

2 Comments

 
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Once you use the Real Women Ride No Knot Hair Net, you'll never go back to traditional hair nets again. I promise. Now, I hate hair nets. Absolutely detest them. But I also know that they're a necessity, so I decided to give the No Knot Hair Net a try.

Let me tell you, this thing is amazing. The No Knot Hair Net features a unique design with an open top - you actually pull the whole hair net down around your neck. Then, you pull the net so that it's in position around your hairline, before you flip the top of the net up, bringing your loose hair up to the top of your head. Pop it into your helmet and you're done. No ponytails, no twisting the base of the net and flipping it up - nothing. It's that easy.

The No Knot Hair Net is super durable, featuring a wide mesh. It has a strong elastic which keeps it securely in place, but because there are no knots, it's also super comfortable. The net is washable and comes with its own little pullstring bag for safe keeping.

Even I, who hate hairnets, appreciate the No Knot Hair Net. It took me seconds to put it on, and my hair stayed positioned for the entire ride. I recently used the hair net for a show and it worked beautifully. I have shoulder-length hair and the hair net handled it fine - I can see this net easily working with longer hair, too.

This hair net retails for $9.95, and it's worth the cost. Easy to use, comfortable, durable - you can't beat it. Whether for showing or for schooling, the Real Women Ride No Knot Hair Net will surely become a part of your riding wardrobe.

2 Comments

Review: Applezz N' Oats Treats

5/26/2015

2 Comments

 
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Looking for a low-cost, convenient horse treat? Here it is - Applezz N' Oats Treats are crunchy treats made with natural ingredients.

Whisper Says: I gobbled these up. They make a satisfying crunch as I eat them, and they taste great, since I constantly asked my mom for more. My buddies liked them, too - in fact, there wasn't a single horse who didn't like these. I wish the treats were bigger, but my mom says that they're "convenient."

Paige Says: These treats are an excellent value. They're hard, so they don't crumble in your pocket, but they're not so hard that you can't break them by hand. I like the size, which is small enough to avoid choking. The size also means that you can give your horse just a bit of a treat, making these treats great if you use treats for training.

I also appreciate that the Applezz N' Oats treats are made with natural ingredients. There is no sugar added - a definite bonus - but these treats clearly taste great, judging by the horses' reactions to them. And you can't beat the price, being able to buy a smaller bag of treats for just a few dollars. And, of course, the savings only go up if you buy treats in the larger three-pound container.

All in all, the Applezz N' Oats treats are a definite success, and we'll be buying these again.

2 Comments

Review: SmartPak Bradley Soft Shell Knee Patch Breeches

4/15/2015

2 Comments

 
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The SmartPak Bradley Soft Shell Knee Patch Breeches are a pair of winter breeches designed to keep you warm with their windproof material. Despite the material being windproof, I found it very comfortable - I actually love the fabric these breeches are made from, and it isn't loud at all. This soft shell fabric, despite its somewhat slick appearance, still has great grip in the saddle. I've ridden in three different saddles with these breeches and didn't find the fabric being slick an issue at all.

These breeches have a nice design, and I love the sock calf opening which is comfortable, stretchy, and is so much easier to deal with than the Velcro closures. The waistband is wide, which makes it comfortable, and means that you can use any number of different belts with these breeches.

One major advantage of these breeches is that they are warm, but they don't add bulk. The windproof material gives these breeches a major advantage over other winter fleece-lined breeches without wind blocking properties. If you ride outside in the winter, these breeches are a great choice.

The only issue I had with these breeches is a minor issue with their fit - even when paired with a belt, I felt like the breeches want to pull down as I ride or walk. This may be an issue with my individual body's dimensions just not being a match for the breech's design.

The SmartPak Bradley Soft Shell Knee Patch Breeches are great for winter rides and you're sure to appreciate their windproof soft shell material.

2 Comments

Review: Carhartt Quick Flex Glove

4/8/2015

2 Comments

 
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If you're looking for a quality barn work glove for colder weather, the Carhartt Quick Flex Glove may be the perfect solution. I have used this pair of gloves for most of the winter, and they've quickly become a favorite.

What I love the most about these gloves is the fact that they fit so well. They sit close to your hands without having that extra 1/2" of material coming off the ends of your fingers, making buckles and snaps difficult. These gloves are thin enough so that you can still feel what you're doing, but they still offer a good amount of warmth.

If you're looking for gloves for working in sub-zero temperatures, these aren't the pair for you. However, they are lined with a wonderfully soft material and I've found them perfectly fine when working around the barn throughout most of the New England winter. If temperatures are truly bitter, then I do opt for a pair of gloves that provides more warmth.

Whenever you think about a Carhartt product, durability and quality come to mind. The Quick Flex Glove is no exception. The glove features a reinforced thumb area, and the palm and fingers are all lined with a leather or suede which is highly durable and provides excellent grip. The spandex material which makes up the back of the glove is tough enough for barn chores, and it has not torn or frayed since I've been using these gloves.

Affordable and offering an excellent fit, the Carhartt Quick Flex Glove is an excellent choice for winter barn work.

2 Comments

Review: Horze Rovigo Tall Boots

3/23/2015

7 Comments

 
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The Horze Rovigo Tall Boots offer style and warmth in a saddle-ready winter tall boot. These boots are warm, featuring a synthetic wool lining that runs throughout the entire boot, including around the top of the foot area. This lining definitely kept my legs warm, though I would have liked a little extra lining in the foot area.

These boots are wonderfully stylish, and I have received countless compliments on them from both horse people and non-horse people. They look great paired with breeches, but are also loose fitting enough that I've worn them with jeans without a problem. These boots could easily double as a standard pair of winter boots for someone who doesn't ride.

The grip on the sole is good, and these boots are intended for riding use. However, the foot is somewhat bulky, and I found myself feeling a little stuck in the stirrups. Because of the thickness of both the footbed and the ankle area, it was difficult to tell just where my leg was pressing against my horse. Because of this I don't favor these boots for riding, but they've become my go-to pair of winter barn boots.

The two elastic straps along the sides are adjustable with Velcro, allowing you to tailor the fit of the boots to the outfit that you're wearing. These boots themselves are made of nubuck leather, which has held up well; I've used these boots for an entire season now.

I did have one major problem with these boots, in that the back of the heel area is made of a plastic or metal cup which irritated the back of my ankle and tendon. While breaking in these boots helped, I am still irritated by this area if I walk any real distance - hand walking my horse in these boots is out, unless I wear two pairs of socks. The double-sock method is effective in solving the issue, but it's not ideal.

All in all, these boots are great for working around the barn, and if you're not bothered by their bulk, then you can also ride in them. I'm impressed by their quality, and enjoy the warmth that they provide. The Rovigo Tall Boots are available from Horze.com.

7 Comments

Review: The Water Bucket Cozy

3/22/2015

3 Comments

 
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It seems almost too good to be true: A water bucket insulator that, when wrapped around a bucket, can help to keep the water from freezing during the winter without any need for electricity.

I was skeptical at first, but in testing The Water Bucket Cozy out in New England winters, though, I quickly became a believer in this product. The Water Bucket Cozy wraps easily around your standard 20-quart bucket, and large Velcro tabs allow you to adjust the Cozy so that it fits snugly. The top of the Cozy then fits over the top of the bucket, and secures to the bottom of the Cozy with more Velcro. The whole process takes just a few seconds, and your horse is left with a decent sized hole through which he can drink.

I have now used The Water Bucket Cozy for three winters in a row, and it has made dealing with water buckets SO much easier. I used the Cozy in an unheated barn, and not once did my horse's water freeze overnight or throughout the day. Additionally, I used the Cozy to help keep a bucket placed out in the pasture from freezing, which it did successfully. All of the horses (five of them) drank from the Cozy without hesitation.

The Cozy's length of effectiveness in preventing or slowing the development of ice partially depends on the temperatures that you're dealing with. Even in negative temperatures the Cozy kept water buckets from freezing overnight, though I did replace and refresh the water each morning. The Cozy presents an excellent solution to breaking open thick ice on water buckets, and it makes winter horse care much easier in this respect.

One potential issue you might encounter with the Cozy is that some of the more playful horses might see it as a toy, as was the case in my barn. The horses never did much damage to the Cozy, a testament to the product's durability, but some did play with their water buckets and made a bit of a mess in their stalls.

The Cozy held up remarkably well, especially considering the wear and tear it sustained. I managed to get between two and three seasons of use out of the Cozy before it was really time to replace it due to warn-out Velcro and hard-playing horses.

I would highly recommend The Water Bucket Cozy to any horse owner who is sick of breaking open iced-over water buckets. The Cozy eliminates the need for a heated bucket or a hammer, and it does so impressively successfully even in bitter temperatures.

The Water Bucket Cozy is made by Wild Angel Cozy.

3 Comments

Review: Corona Detangler & Shine

9/4/2014

2 Comments

 
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Detangling knotted and matted horse tails has to be one of the most trying jobs ever. Especially in the summer - it seems like every time you're just about ready to get a knot out, a fly comes along and your horse just HAS to have his tail back, and there goes all your work.

Whisper's quite talented in turning her tail into dreadlocks, so she was the perfect horse to try out Corona's Detangler & Shine. This one-quart bottle came ready to go to work, and I figured it had more than enough product in it to get the job done a dozen times over.

Well, not quite. While the Detangler & Shine definitely worked, I found that I had to use far more product than I'd guessed. During our first tail detangling session, I used about 1/5 of the bottle. Since most of the time I only rely on products if Whisper's tail gets REALLY bad, this isn't such a big deal, but if you have a dozen horses to groom, you'll probably need multiple bottles of this spray.

I did really like the design of this bottle. It sits very easily in your hand, is easy to grip even if your hands are slippery, and the spray nozzle provides a strong and continuous spray. It will take up more room in your grooming kit than other products, but for the convenience factor I'd say it's worth it.

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Whisper's tail - before and after
While the Corona Detangler & Shine did work and was effective in detangling Whisper's tail, I had to use a lot of it to do so. The spray has a very artificial sweet "Blooming Meadow Scent" to it, which I could have done without, especially given the flies that are so abundant right now. According to the label, this spray helps to prevent sun-bleaching, and also repels dust, dirt, and stains. I don't know that I'd agree with it repelling dust, dirt, or stains - the product left both my hands and Whisper's tail sticky.

All in all, this product isn't my first choice as a detangler, as I've used other products that seemed to work better and that didn't have the stickiness or sweet scent of this product.

You can learn more about Corona's Detangler & Shine on the Manna Pro website.
2 Comments

Review: Upland Basic Turnout Fly Sheet

8/19/2014

2 Comments

 
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The flies are bad here - really bad. They're so bad that it was time to put a fly sheet on Whisper to help reduce the welts that she was so frequently coming in with. The Upland Basic Turnout Fly Sheet seemed like an affordable yet not too cheap option. So we gave it a try.

All in all, I've been very pleased with this fly sheet. It's now held up the entire season, which is a true testament to its durability. Sure, it will never again be the brilliant white that it was when I first removed it from the package (Whisper saw to that within about ten minutes of my having put it on her), but it still does the job.

The fly sheet features belly surcingles which fasten tightly and securely. They're also easily adjustable, and the surcingles themselves are soft. The front closure has two buckles so that you can adjust it for the best fit, and the metal hardware has held up well.

I particularly like the fleece padding up by the withers, since Whisper has been rubbed there by other blankets before. The fly sheet is cut in a way that it does put some pressure on the withers, but the padding helps to lift and shift that pressure, and Whisper wasn't ever rubbed by it.

I had a bit of difficulty with the neck closure - something about the cut just didn't fit Whisper right and the neck kept sliding down and back. Once I'd adjusted it to the smallest setting, the sliding was reduced, but I still needed to go shift the sheet around at least a few times a day. It's not a sheet I'd recommend to use if you can't be there to take it off or reposition it at least once a day, unless the sheet fits your horse better than it did Whisper.

Lightweight and soft, this sheet helped to lessen the amount of flies that bothered Whisper. It's an affordable option and is one that I'd consider buying again. You can order the Upland Basic Turnout Fly Sheet from Dover Saddlery.

2 Comments
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    The Equine Insider receives no compensation for product reviews. Our experiences with the products and with the companies may not be the same as your experiences. All product reviews are opinion and are based on our personal use. We are not responsible for any experience or interaction you may have with these companies or products, and we make no guarantee or warranty that the products will perform in the same or similar manner for your intended use.
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