Short and sweet this week, which has not been the easiest of my life.

Reminder: you can sign up for these links + more in a newsletter that goes out (usually) on Friday afternoons.

Training Progression Of Bast: Part 2, The Early Rides from Guinness on Tap
Pictures! Commentary! Loads to think about!

Quarantine Nightmare! An Excerpt From ‘World-Class Grooming for Horses’ from Eventing Nation
EEEEEEEEEEP. Reading about this is one of those prime opportunities to consider what you would do. I’d like to think I would have been as resourceful and firm.

Power Trimming and Learning to Slow Down (and Reaping Rewards) from In Omnia Paratus
Liz gets double links this week because she knocked it out of the park with two posts that I devoured from top to bottom in happy fascination.

Honoring and Grieving the Past from Clover Ledge Farm
❤ ❤ ❤

HORSE INSURANCE: BUYING from Go Big or Go Home
Suuuuuuuper important and useful.

usea convention notes: level creep from Zen and the Art of Baby Horse Management
This is something I’ve thought about for some time and it’s good to see it in the spotlight at the USEA convention.

Here’s this week’s product feature from my Etsy shop. If you want a gift by Christmas, you should order by Monday if you don’t want to pay rush shipping!

Also a reminder: if you want these blog links plus more content on Friday afternoon, sign up for the email list here!

Adults on Ponies/Honies from The $900 Facebook Pony
Tristan is 15 hands, so I have a vested interest in this conversation!

LOVE, LOSS AND A BAKER BLANKET from Saddle Seeks Horse
I cried really hard while reading this. Just as a warning. But it’s a lovely story. The fires in California are just so gut-wrenching.

LET’S TALK PRE-PURCHASE EXAMS from The Printable Pony
Really crucial part of the horse-buying process that I…totally did not do when getting Tristan. Next horse, I promise!

Candy goes to Opening Hunt from Hand Gallo
Please just assume that every time I read a post about fox hunting, my jealousy meter advances another notch. Siiiiiiiigh.

Product Review: Mango Bay belts from Clover Ledge Farm
These are SO CUTE and I haven’t yet been able to bring myself to buy one because something else always comes first. But this is a great review with some feedback after consistent, long-term usage.

A Profile of the Leading Horses Chasing the 2018 Pegasus World Cup from The Plaid Horse
I always wish I knew more about horse racing; this is a good primer!

Farm Talk: Hay Feeders from The Feral Red Horse
A perennially useful topic of conversation.

Deja Poo from Project Gingersnap
This is both a) an awesome post title and b) a really useful conversation about the things that keep haunting us.

Ariat Two24 Serena Boots from Horses & Heels
These boots look SO CUTE.

I added a bunch of new bags to the Etsy store this week, so go check them out! Here’s this week’s featured product.

Adventures in Riding Racehorses from A Collection of Madcap Escapades
This was a) awesome and b) informative, with lots of background about position and training while galloping racehorses. No way do I have the guts for this but man, it looks like fun.

Product Review: SmartWool Women’s Merino Midweight Pattern 1/4 Zip Top from Cob Jockey
I am ALL ABOUT the merino quarter zips this winter, and already had this on my Christmas list. Now I’m twice as excited for it.

DIY How to Make an Equestrian Surcingle Belt from DIY Horse Ownership
I might try this soon, that came out super cute!

Day 2 of a Forward Pony from Pony Express
JINGLE BELL CHALLENGE PLEASE CAN WE MAKE THIS A THING PLEASE?

What to wear foxhunting from Hand Gallop
Foxhunting is where the show ring got a lot of its specific rules, so it makes sense that there are careful rules about what to wear when!

Viva Carlos Book Review: On Horsemanship from Viva Carlos
I love this book, and this is a great review.

Mind your Manners from Poor Woman Showing
Good manners in young horses is exceptionally important.

The Most Wonderful Time of Year from Clover Ledge Farm
I do have a soft spot for barn Christmas decorations.

On Rejection and Moving Pig from Guinness on Tap
I’m struck by how thoughtful and honest this post is about the process of retiring a horse.

Feed Review: Crypto Aero Wholefood Horse Feed from Journey to 100 Miles
My barn is feeding this now to some horses, and while it’s not an option for Tristan (he of the Cushings diet) I was interested to read this.

As promised, an extra long blog roundup this week to make up for skipping last week to focus on small businesses!

First, though, this week’s shop highlight is this awesome donut saddle cover. Click on the picture to see the listings, or head to the shop to see all the listings.

 

Saddle Fitting Basics from Hand Gallop
Always useful information, and this is clearly explained.

Trail Pony Deluxe from Pony Express
So. Freaking. Cool.

A discipline you would like to do that you’ve never done before from Clover Ledge Farm
I an genuinely agog at how many different types of riding are showcased here.

Take this Waltz from Peace & Carrots
This is an absolutely lovely rumination on the “right” horse.

Paying a Trainer from Not So Speedy Dressage
I am a huge advocate for having honest, straightforward conversations with trainers about your expectations and goals.

Rider’s To Do List from The Printable Pony
LOVE THIS. Free downloadable planning form!

Viva Carlos Product Review: Herbal Horse Quick Heal from Viva Carlos
This stuff looks amazing.

The Trailering Debacle from A Collection of Madcap Escapades
Don’t read this if you are faint of heart about trailering, but if you do want a well-told story with a good ending and some valuable lessons learned, I highly recommend it.

The Story of My C2 Rating (or How I Knocked an Examiner Down) from A Enter Spooking
I laughed really, really hard. We’ve all been there.

Tour of Hagyard from Contact
SO COOL. A tour of Hagyard has definitely gone on my visit-Lexington list!

STIRRUP COVERS PATTERN + A GIVEAWAY! from The Printable Pony
These look great, and there’s a giveaway too!

Clinic/Lesson Organizing from Project Gingersnap
Anyone have advice to share?

Always (Nameplate Debate) from Peace & Carrots
Do you like nameplates? If so, how do you use them?

Rider Review: Lund Saddlery Stirrup Leathers from Equestrian at Hart
These look droolworthy!

thoughts on the new eventing dressage tests from ‘Fraidy Cat Eventing
Really good detailed analysis.

Horse Hubby (or HSO) Basics aka Farm Life Hacks from the Jumping Percheron
Take note, horse husbands of the world!

Introducing Taiga from In Omnia Paratus
PUPPPPYYYYYYYY

Attempted Artist from Riding to B
As someone who cannot draw anything, I love these simple line drawings.

The Challenge: 3 Year Plan from A Gift Horse
This lines up so perfectly with my life right now and is just lovely and thoughtful.

HORSE INSURANCE: COVERAGES from Go Big or Go Home
This is so, so, so important to know about.

This week’s featured product from my Etsy shop!

And as a reminder, you can sign up to get these blog links in your email on Friday afternoon.

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HOW YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A HEART HORSE from Three Day Adventures with Horses
❤

LandSafe Clinic – Day 1 & LandSafe Clinic – Day 2 from DIY Horse Ownership
I loooooooove these clinics and these are terrific recaps.

THE UNICORN LIST V2 from The Printable Pony
Horse shopping is so hard.

Lund Saddlery Calfskin Stirrup Leathers Review from Patently Bay
Lund is getting a lot of attention right now, and these leathers look gorgeous.

THINGS I BOUGHT AND DIDN’T NEED | 2017 EQUINE AFFAIRE HAUL from Breeches and Boat Shoes
I need to do my own version of this…

Equestrian gifts for under $20 from Hand Gallop
A really great list, and I’m not just saying that because my own things are on there.

Dante and the vacuum from Viva Carlos
Horse vacuum = living the dream.

Best of HN: This OTTB’s Second Career in Horseback Hawking is #Goals from Eventing Nation
THIS IS SO AWESOME I CANNOT EVEN.

Horse Hunters Episode 1 & Episode 2 from DIY Horse Ownership
Goooooorgeous farms. I covet.

Product Review: Dublin Performance Tights from Journey with a Dancing Horse
Color me intrigued. I was sold at “fleece lined,” tbh.

58 Equestrian Gifts under $25 from The Printable Pony
Awesome list!

Grids and Gymnastics from In Omnia Paratus
Pole grids are my jam, especially in winter.

Half Halts and Forward from Not So Speedy Dressage
I struggle with half halts and keeping forward, so this was good to think about.