Editor’s Note: Since this article was published, the ColiCare program has been upgraded to provide up to $10,000 in colic surgery reimbursement. Click here to learn more.
Fall is here in New England, and winter is close behind it! The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and the ponies are frisky. Fall in Massachusetts is my favorite time of the year, but this year it’s been difficult to pack away my beloved flip flops and think about transitioning into the new season. Luckily, pulling out my favorite fall gear for myself and my horse really helps make the packing away of fly masks, sun shirts, and summer breeches a little less glum!
In hopes of cheering my fellow riders up about the arrival of cooler weather, I’ve put together a list of my favorite transitional gear for myself and my horse, because there’s nothing more fun than doing a little fall shopping!
Top Transitional Gear for You:
1. Asmar Rider Jacket
Fall means layering for me! A typical Massachusetts fall day may be freezing in the morning, but warm up in the afternoon. This means that both humans and horses need to be cozy and warm in the morning, but may need to shed a layer around 1pm! My favorite jacket to ward off the frosty morning chill is the Asmar Rider Jacket. The beautifully tailored silhouette is flattering on all body types, so it’s a great option for any rider. It has a removable hood, plus inside ribbed sleeve cuffs to keep hay and nasty weather from entering the sleeve! The jacket is also perfect for riding due to its two-way zipper in the front, as well as the rear zipped gusset which allows the jacket to lay smoothly and beautifully in the saddle while giving you the freedom of movement you need to ride.
2. Mountain Horse Tech Baselayer Top
When I shed my Asmar Riding Jacket in the afternoon, you’ll find me sporting a base layer top. My favorite transitional fall base layer is the Mountain Horse Heat Tech Baselayer Top. This perfect layering piece will provide an extra bit of coziness on cooler days under a jacket, and the high neck collar will keep the chills at bay! On milder days, the moisture-wicking fabric will keep you comfortable and cool!
3. Roeckl Mendon Stretch Gloves
One of the hardest fall transitions for me to get used to is chilly hands and fingers! Brrrrr! It is not yet quite cold enough for winter gloves, but it is cold enough for me to need a bit more than what my summer gloves provide! I’ve found that the Roeckl Mendon Stretch Gloves are the perfect transition gloves for fall.
Roeckls are my all-time favorite gloves, and the Roeckl Mendon Stretch Gloves certainly do not disappoint! Superior fit, comfort, and functionality along with the tried and tested ROECK-GRIP® all make this a wonderful fall glove. Perfect for schooling, they offer the fabulous Roeckl natural feel, which I love! And finally, to complete this already amazing glove, it is touchscreen compatible, so it’s easy to operate your smart phone without taking them off!
Top Transitional Gear for Your Horse:
1. SavvyMash with Speedi-Beet® Cinnamon
Frost has replaced the mild, warm summer mornings, so I may be found at the barn with a steaming mug of coffee to keep myself warm. I love that I have found a way to share this feeling of delicious warmth with my horse by making up a nice warm batch of the SavvyMash with Speedi-Beet® Cinnamon. This mash is the perfect treat for my girl because it’s fiber-based and has no corn or bran, so it won’t upset her regular feeding program like traditional bran mash would. Additionally, the mash is made with Speedi-Beet, which allows it to absorb more than to three to five times its size in water. I love this feature because horses often drink less water when the temperatures plummet, but I can rest assured that Janie is getting extra water just by enjoying her scrumptious mash. Plus, she’s over-the-moon ecstatic when I give it to her because she loves the taste!
2. Rambo Newmarket Fleece Quarter Sheet
As the temperature will no longer being a balmy seventy degrees, I need to make sure that Janie’s hind end and back stay warm and comfortable during work. The Rambo Newmarket Fleece Quarter Sheet is an anti-pilling, double bonded fleece that offers superior warmth while also remaining highly breathable and moisture-wicking from Janie. The traditional Newmarket Stripe is a fun way to give a refined, classic look to any horse!
3. Shires Tempest Patterned Rain Sheet
During the milder fall days, I like to dress Janie in what I like to call her “Lighter Turnout Sheet.” This is neither an industry nor technical term, this is a totally made up phrase by yours truly to describe Janie’s purely whimsical and wonderful 600 denier Shires Tempest Patterned Rain Sheet!
I adore this sheet because it’s durable, dependable, and an excellent value! Fully waterproof with taped seams, it keeps Janie protected in case rain does appear. The Ripstop fabric complete with ShireTex will draw moisture away from Janie’s skin and coat to the surface of the sheet for evaporation to ensure that she stays dry and comfortable. And, let’s not forget how cute it is – the whimsical pattern on this sheet looks beyond adorable on my fresh little pony!
4. SmartCalm Ultra Paste
Janie stands only 14.3hh, but is naturally a fire-breathing dragon! When you add the crisp mornings of fall and winter, she certainly has a bit more sass and spunk than she does during the warmer months. SmartCalm Ultra Paste is our best friend and salvation on extra chilly days because it provides extra support to help Janie stay cool and collected.
5. SmartDigest Ultra Pellets and SmartDigest Ultra Paste
I want to ensure that Janie’s hindgut is healthy and happy no matter the weather, so she gets SmartDigest Ultra Pellets in her SmartPaks year-round. Thanks to this formula’s clinically studied ingredients, I know that Janie’s hindgut is getting the support it needs to stay balanced. Including this wonderful hindgut supplement in her SmartPaks has also provided me the benefit of being able to enroll Janie in ColiCare, SmartPak’s $7,500 colic surgery reimbursement program. Since Janie has a sensitive digestive tract to begin with, I also give her a tube of SmartDigest Ultra Paste for extra support during times of stress.
Leave a Reply