Christmas 2016 Haul

I won't lie, Christmas kind of blew this year. I haven't been sick all year until the day before Christmas Eve where I contracted some kind of plague and I was sick for exactly the amount of time I was off for Christmas. But I still had fun with my family even though I couldn't taste any of my mom's delicious cooking :( She made lobster lasagna and I couldn't taste it, it was a crime.

PS of Sweden High Jump
Since the prince loves ergonomic nonsense I asked for one of these for Christmas. I wanted it to jump in; I like doing my flatwork in the Micklem but when he gets a little keen and excited about life (say, on cross country) I can't really tighten the nose band enough for my taste. Plus I love bridles and I only have two. Wait, that's not even remotely true, I have four now.

The PS Bridle isn't him, obvi.
Cause I suck at taking pictures why do I even blog send help.

Dammit. Oh well.

In true princely fashion he loves this thing. He's about the same in it as the Micklem, I actually might like him a bit better because he's a little more through his right shoulder in it. I've only used it a couple times so I'm still figuring out how he feels in it as he settles down. Last night I jumped him in it (WE JUMPED! IN A LESSON! 2ft max BUT STILL) and I really liked how he felt in it. He was really nice and up in front with his nose poked out.

Provent 3.0 Racesafe Vest
I had an Aeroware Outlyne that I bought for my very first cross country vest. I got it in early 2012 and it has served me well, but I have lost quite a bit of weight over the past year so it's gotten more and more difficult to wear. I have it tightened farther than it really should be, and it's still not quite tight enough.

When I was at the Best. Event. Ever. I stopped at the Soteria Safety booth and tried on the Racesafe vests and fell in love. They're so light and comfortable, and still BETA 3 certified. They also come in so many sizes you can get a custom fit. I love the bungees on the side to tighten it. I got an adult small long (jeez, I can't believe I fit in a small...) and it fits perfectly.

Looks especially dashing in work clothes.
In my messy room.

I actually used it this weekend. I couldn't get out to the barn for two days because the weather ruined my weekend and then the horses were in for a day because the weather ruined my weekend. By the time I got to Runkle on Sunday he was wound up like only a baby rehabbing Thoroughbred can be. I put my new vest on to give me a little extra bravery before I swung a leg over.

It's awesome.

Back On Track Splint Boots

I have purple hidey boots that I flat Runkle in but I'd like another pair because they do hold some heat. It's fine for the winter but I'm assuming come spring/summer I won't want to use them anymore. Since Godzilla exists he needs to wear splint boots forever.

They're really super cute though.

Last week I was perusing the Back On Track website. I love my BOT polos, and I saw they have splint boots. I was bugging out to my barn buddy about how I needed them in my life, and lamented the fact that I'm on a spending freeze for the foreseeable future except in case of emergencies (like purple dressage coats).

SHHHH THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED IT'S OKAY.

But since she is my barn buddy and is thereby inherently awesome, she listened to me freak out knowing she was my Secret Santa for the barn polyanna and had already bought them.

Her horse is injured right now too, so I dabble in more hand walkies.
He's way better than Runkle.

People know me too well.

Buckets
My sister got me buckets for my ~*new trailer*~ that I still need to post about and they are purple. She also got me a portable bridle rack. Then she filled the buckets with about forty bajillion mints for Runkle, it really made me laugh when I opened it.

My sister's dog wearing a Christmas crown.
She does not exactly have the Christmas joie de vivre.

You know you're a horse person when: you get excited about buckets.

The best tree we've ever had!

So I hope all of you had a lovely holiday, and Santa was good to you, or at the very least good to your ponies :)