Spring Grooming
Hurray! We have transitioned into warmer weather and the much anticipated season of Spring! Our horses are slowly but surely shedding their winter coats and we are all holding our breath to see if dapples will reappear! This time of year always seems to wreck havoc on Chloe’s coat. Her bay coloring can appear dull and the amount of dander is intensified. A curry comb and elbow grease will work wonders in removing loose hair and I start every groom session with my Epona Shed Flower Curry. However, since about a year ago, my secret weapon has been the dry shampoo from Myst Equine Products. The dry shampoo not only adds shine, but it removes dirt, dust and dander. It comes in a large spray bottle (that will last you about 6 months) and you simply spray the coat directly, using a dry towel or stiff brush to massage the dry shampoo into the coat. There is no need to rinse it off. The dry shampoo is gentle enough to use daily and will noticeably cut down your grooming time. It is without a doubt my must-have grooming product. You can use CHLOESQUAD if you want to try it at 10% off!
SAMSUNG CSC
Spring Clothing
I like to get a new sun shirt each Spring to add to my collection. Sun shirts are fantastic ways to protect your body from the harmful UV rays of the sun, which is something I am sure every equestrian can get behind. The Equiinstyle Cool Shirt offers protection with the equivalent of UPF 50. All sun shirts will typically have a collar and tailored fit, helping you to look polished while you are in the saddle or bumming around the barn. Most all sun shirts come with full mesh inserts that run the length of your under arm, providing you with better air circulation. The Equiinstyle Cool Shirt also has an Icefil cooling factor that is embedded in the fabric and reduces body temperature by 5 degrees, something that comes in handy here in North Carolina around July.
Spring Accessory
A day at the barn or a weekend at a horse show definitely calls for the perfect hat. I have a few that I circulate, such as this one from Betmar. I love it because it has a wide brim and covers my entire face and most of my neck. It also sits deep down on my head comfortably and has a hole for my ponytail to pull through. It easily stores in my luggage or tack trunk and can be machine washed (although I haven’t done so yet). However, if you are feeling fancy and want to treat yourself, I urge you to consider the fabulous sun hats by Manastash Mercantile. I’ve had my eye on one for over a year since I first saw them in person in Wellington, FL. Made of straw and vintage Hermes silk scarves, your inner fashionista cannot go wrong!
Happy Spring Shopping!
**Andrea Wise graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2007, where afterwards she spent 7 years as a commercial real-estate attorney. In 2012, she launched the equestrian company, Pony Glam, which makes and sells the only colored hoof dressing for horses. She is also the voice behind the new equestrian lifestyle blog, Horse Glam. Andrea lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Zach, two young children, cat and horse, Chloe.
