Bloggers Row

I read a lot online and take things with a grain of salt.  Many times I don't like reading about people's lives because I either can't relate or I end up wanting to go LIVE LIFE!  rather than sit in an office all day.  Lately though, I've discovered the small group of Texas bloggers that write about their journeys with their horses.  Some I can relate to, some I can't read more than a page or two and shut down, and some make me feel like I might possibly not be the only crazy person doing ALL THE THINGS at times.

The other thing I've REALLY enjoyed is learning about other people's tack and clothing.   Buying these items hasn't ever been a reality for me nor a desire, so I'm a bit behind the curve on these things.  Sure I KNOW of Devoucoux and I've probably ridden in one (I have), but that doesn't mean I want one.  Not that I know of.  With the revelation that a saddle can "cure" my aging ails and "make" my body suddenly "get it" I'm much more into the whole idea that the right gear can make a HUGE difference. 

Especially when you already have skills.

So first up was finding a bridle for Jade.  Normally I scrounge up a Dover sale bridle and that's worked fine for me.  When I was a teenager I saved obsessively for a Courbette USDF stamped dressage bridle and it was... fine but never worth what I paid for it when my Libertyville bridle worked perfectly fine everyday.  I worked for a dressage trainer too and rode in LOTS of nice tack but nothing caught my eye.  With this new "found" money though, I know I need to make smart purchases that will last a while so I'm poking around to see what's out there.  I decided to take a chance on a forum find, and ordered a nice bridle from Flexible Fit.  The bridle arrived within 14 days (from Australian) and was super nice with medical grade gel in all the pressure point areas.  The leather was strong but much more supple than I was used to so I'd consider that worth it.  It also look fabulous on Jade.

le browband

Basically the bridle I got (I HAVE to get better about taking pics of my junk. Maybe.)

The Flexible Fit thing was off the COTH forums so I don't really count it as a blogger thing per say.  Jeanette has a blog and posts it on Facebook regularly so I was like ok, I'll read that.  Once I saw her thing, I dug a little more and found The $900 Facebook Pony.  This girl can shop.  She has taste, likes things that last, and is frugal when it makes sense and not when it doesn't.  Sure she has a penchant for French things, but I've never faulted anyone for that before.

So far I've bought socks from Sock It To Me, belts from Mango Bay, and I really want something from PS of Sweden but can't decide what nor have a need.  Boo.  Also watching her bring her horse from "nothing" to a fun eventer is a wonderful transformation.  I like that she's tackled broken horses in her past and dabbles/d in various sports along the way.

There are many other blogs and again, I like watching the people over time but some of the people I'd gut punch if I met them I think.  Also, many of them are hunter/jumper types and its sooo hard for me to relate to their issues most the time.  I know this is one of the reasons I'm always liking eventers and come back like a moth to the flame.

My rockin' fox socks THAT STAY UP!