How I Clean & Condition My Tack

Alright. Let's talk about it...

Remember in my post HERE, I promised to start taking better care of my tack? Well, it's happening. Seriously. Do you believe me?

A week or so ago, I was at The Horse Expo here in Pomona, CA, and I came across a booth called Rodeo Drive Conchos in their vendor buildings. (Which are VERY dangerous, might I add)

The booth looked like this:

Blurry photo courtesy of their Facebook Page

So, it's hard to see from the photo above, but basically it's a booth with a back wall full of blank tack - headstalls, breast collars, etc. (Some tooled, some not, but all very different styles to choose from) As well as spur leathers, stirrups, keychains, necklaces, dog collars - you name it.

Here's how it works. You pick out your tack, then bring it to the front where they have trays and trays of different color combinations of conchos, all different sizes, shapes, and finishes.  Here, you can play with and design your very own custom tack...yeah, like Build-a-Bear...SO FUN!  My friend and I sat there for what seemed like an hour, switching different conchos out, playing with different buckles, etc. If you're worried about pricing, the girl who was helping us stayed right with us, and updated my order totals every time I added or removed a concho - very nice.

Once I settled on 2 headstalls and a breast collar, she immediately went to work attaching all the conchos - punching holes, tightening them up, she remembered everything I wanted, exactly where I wanted it.  Here's how they all came out:

I shouldn't quit my day job.

OOOHHH AAAHHH!

Oh, that misty morning light! LOL

Nothing too crazy blingy, but bits here and there. Yes, their items were a bit on the higher side ($$), but it has been literally FOREVER since I bought myself some higher quality tack. Something I really fell in love with. NOW, to take care of it. (Ugh)

A few days ago on my Facebook, I asked you all what your favorite leather cleaner/conditioner was...well, here's mine.

Simple, to the point, Effax Leder-Balsam. Available HERE from Amazon, if you're interested. It has consistently great reviews across the board, and contains ingredients like Lanolin, Beeswax, and Avocado Oil (OH WOW! Things I can pronounce!) to help protect and restore your leather.  Funny, the only thing you can't pronounce is the name of the product! HA! I joke, I love you Leder-BLAAAH.

Alright, now that all the players are introduced, let's get into it...here's my cleaning & conditioning routine, step by step!

Step 1: Get all your stuff!  Not shown, but optional - Q-tips & a brown paper grocery bag. I'll tell you later.

Effax Leder-Balsam, rags/towels, tack sponges, and a flathead screwdriver.

Step 2: OK, if this was NOT brand new tack, here's where I'd wipe everything down with a good amount of water, to clean out all the dust out of all of the nooks and crannies so that we have a good starting point, BUT, since this is brand new, I didn't do it today...no pictures. You can handle it. (Let it dry.)

I'd then use a leather CLEANER, to remove any other sweat, hair, dirt, etc that has found its way onto your tack. Wipe off thoroughly, theeeeen....

Step 3: Today I'll start off on this tack by removing all the metal pieces that I can...That means any and all conchos, brackets, etc. This tack is all put together by chicago screws, so easy peasy. Set them all aside, ain't nobody got time to clean oil out of those conchos, if it accidentally gets in there!

Yeah I'm in my pajamas, sue me!

All the purdy conchos...

Step 4: Goop up your tack sponges! This leather didn't bleed, so for this entire job, I was able to use only one sponge - good deal!

Mmmm gooooop.

Whenever I have new tack, I condition it twice before it ever sees a horse. (Well, ok, after fitting it of course) New leather tends to be thirsty, as it has never been oil before, so I seriously apply this stuff. Sometimes leaving a bit of residue left on there, in hopes it will soak it up eventually!

Something I definitely wanted to mention about the conditioner I was raving about...it WILL darken leather a bit. Not a lot, but a bit. I like darker leather anyways, so this has never bothered me, but here's an example of the shade darker that it gets...

Top - Before
Bottom - After
1 application

See? Not bad, but I don't need death threats that I didn't mention this. Anyways...continue with this process of applying the conditioner EVERYWHERE. The good thing is, if you buy actual TACK sponges, they compress to very small, making it easy to cram them everywhere to make sure the conditioner is spread throughout everything.

Step 5: Once everything is coated, I stick it all in a brown paper grocery bag, and shove it in my closet for a couple days. This allows all the goop to be absorbed, and not affected too much by environment, being in that bag. Once it has sat, I pull everything out, and do all the steps over again...one more coat. I know! But your tack will thank me.

As if you didn't know what leather in a bag looked like.

As you work through each piece, I GENTLY bend and flex my leather, working it into the cracks. This will help soften that leather over time too. Hooray!

Back in the bag it goes for another couple days.

Step 6: After what seems like months of waiting, I pull everything out of the bags, and use Q-tips to get any leftover goop out of the punched holes, big cracks, and crevices of the tooling. Handy! Here's a classy picture:

DUH.

If your tack is still a bit goopy, because you went overboard, you can always wipe it all down with the cloths or rags you have....also good for shining and polishing the leather afterwards too. Buff it with the cloth to get these results.

AAAAND you're done! Just go ahead and reassemble everything and haul it to the barn, praying it never gets dirty again.

Just beautiful.

Interested in further information about Rodeo Drive Conchos? Visit their website, where you can see all of their tack, or contact them here, and they can send you a full color, actual size, catalog! Super handy - I grabbed one from their booth when I was there, and will definitely hang onto it.

Happy Cleaning!

The Horse Junkie

**NOT SPONSORED. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN, AND ALL TACK & CONCHOS WERE PURCHASED WITH MY OWN MONEY.**

REVIEW: Hairy Back Ranch's "Solo-Ride™"

If you know me at all, you know this white girl can't jump. Even a little.  Lately, AKA the past YEAR, I have been too lazy to use a saddle when riding on trail, or teaching a lesson, etc. so I have been putting some good use into my Best Friend Bareback Pad (Which I love and am obsessed with).  But here's the dilemma...once you're on, you're on. Unless you're off, then you're REALLY off. Picture me finding a hill, wall, rock, log, or whatever is in near proximity to my horse to use to try to get back on - NOT pretty (or graceful).  Let's just say, I have been know to run up a wall, in order to bank off of it and onto my horse. Thank goodness my horses stand still, (lol) but you see my problem?

I think the bareback gods (what?) must have been smiling down on me this month, because recently I was sent a very interesting, but totally genius contraption for ground mounting your horse.

Hairy Back Ranch in BC, Canada, was gracious to send over what they call their "Solo-Ride™". What's that you say? WELLLLL, only the most original and neatest thing to hit the equestrian scene in a LONG time. Seriously.

Such a cute logo!

(All stock images/videos in this review
are pulled from www.hairybackranch.com
with permission)

Their tagline, which describes it perfectly, is "No rock? No fence? No problem! Get back on your horse anywhere, anytime - Solo-Ride™." Umm, YES PLEASE!

Before we do ANYTHING, let's watch an educational video. This girl reads instructions before she does things to avoid making a fool of herself!

OK, that seems reasonable enough, but just in case, here's a visual that stays put. It's even in French, so we can't go wrong:

First of all, here's what you get in the package:

You get the Solo-Ride™ stirrup, strap, and a fanny pack carrying case.  By the way, it comes in a totally cool printed box, too. I'm a sucker for packaging.

Rio looks THRILLED! Lol

Now let's take it to the streets, and see if we can actually do it! 

Step 1: DRAPE

Step 2: ADJUST

BOOTY SHOT!!

Make sure that padded piece is on the withers.
(What, no joke here??)

Step 3: MOUNT

Lightweight, aluminum stirrup. 

"Umm...what are you doing?"

I told you - style, beauty, and grace!

And with a flick of the tail, I'm on!

Step 4: UNDO

TA DA!

Man, I'm good. I guess!

TRUTH: The only thing I found that bothered me about this, (and it's TOTALLY more of a vanity thing) is that fanny packs are soooo OUT.  But seriously, get over it, Brianne. I just swung it around behind me, kinda like a backwards baseball cap for my booty, and rode on out. SWEET! It's even got reflective printing on it, so I can't complain too much. Safety first!!

Yes, his tail is still multi-colored.

TRUTH: The only thing that bothered my horse model, Rio, is that it was under his armpit, basically.  He danced around the first time I tried it, as it is a totally unfamiliar feeling for him.  I would suggest trying it out in an arena or safe, familiar place, before trusting your horse and taking this waaaay out on trail with you your very first time (I feel like I needed to say that). Also, I looked SO SILLY the first time I tried it. It's something new to get used to, but I picked it up quickly, and so did several ladies in my barn who wanted to try it out. :)  Another note I would like to reiterate, is to make sure the pad is on their withers, making this as comfortable as possible for them!

Convinced you need one yet?? Here are some details.

Where can I buy it?

You can purchase this here: http://www.hairybackranch.com/products/solo-ride

How much does it cost?

$124.99 for the whole package, ships from Canada.

More details please!!

Ooooh...visual.

• Solo-Ride® is made in Canada
• Made with 100% heavy duty nylon webbing
• Hardware is 100% stainless steel
• Stirrup is polished lightweight aluminum
• Waist pack is made of durable 600 denier polyester
• Handle included
• Wither / under leg comfort pad included
• Waist pack adjusts to 55 inches
• Three zippered pockets for extra storage (cellphone and keys fit perfectly - done!)
• Key ring in pocket
• Waist pack is embroidered with safety thread

And there you have it!  Overall, I think this product will come in very handy for me, especially. I'm addicted to bareback riding, and this just gave me the last little bit of support I needed! I foresee myself using this a LOT this coming Summer. Thanks, Randell!

Be sure to "Like" Hairy Back Ranch on Facebook to keep up with any news, new products, or sales she will be offering in the future!



Now quick, go shopping!!
The Horse Junkie

**Disclaimer - All products shown here were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are my OWN!** 

PHOTO CREDIT: ERIN SKOLD

REVIEW: Complete EquiFUSE Body Package

Recently on Horse Junkie's Facebook Page, I asked you guys what products you wanted me to review next on here.  One of you said EquiFUSE products...and since I'm such a nice gal...TA DA!

Professional Photography.

I contacted Amber Dunmire over at EquiFuse, and she generously sent me a sample of their Complete Body Package, with instructions on how to use each component.  As I was looking through everything, I loved to see that the ingredients include a ton of natural stuff, some of which I use on my own hair!   Very cool.  Lucky for me, it's still 85 degrees mid-October here in Southern California (don't be jealous), so I was still able to test these products to their full capacity!

Here are the full instructions, and each component of the care kit as I received it:

FOOL-PROOF. Love it.

Step 1: Shampoo

Awww...what a cute grey!

Step 2: Conditioner

Wait a minute...leave in? Brianne, tell me MORE!

Step 3: Shine Serum

The secret weapon, for sure.

OK, already I'm going to tell you, this is going to be a photo heavy review. I guess I figured you'd need to see me bathing my horse, yes? I knew it. Before we jump into that exciting stuff, I figured I'd post a "Before" picture of Hatchet, our handsome model for today - also known as the Breyer Horse. :)

BEFORE

MORE BEFORE: Look back at it.

So, he's already pretty shiny, due to an awesome supplement I give him regularly, so this stuff has it's work cut out for it to impress me!  BUT, I guarantee you he is unwashed for a couple weeks at this point (LAAAZYYY), and I let him roll around in the arena before we started. Something that makes him happy, right before I torture him (Read: he has bath time).  I do notice though, that he is a duller color than usual for this time of year, and he is duuuusty. Remember that I said it's still 85 degrees here? Well yeah, it's also super dry right now, which means EVERYTHING has a nice healthy coat of dirt on it, even Hatchet's butt.

OK let's dive in, because this will already be the longest shampoo review known to man.

First instructions say to open the (SMALL) packet of shampoo, and dilute it in a gallon or two of water.  I have to say, I was a little worried here because the packet didn't look like much. It was about how much shampoo I usually use out of a bottle for MY hair.  I'm used to using a TON more of the Mane & Tail Shampoo that I use now, just for one horse wash. There was no way that I could get a whole horse washed with what I had been given as sample!

BUT, low and behold, I squeezed the packet into the bottom of a small bucket, filled it with water, and went to work! Now, you'd think with all these pictures, I'd have ONE of a soapy bucket, but I don't. Imagine it in your head.

Soapy

As you can see, the shampoo lathered nicely - much nicer than what I was expecting. Hatchet is a 15.2HH Quarter Horse, and I was able to do his whole body with a little over half of the bucket. Then I felt like I did something wrong, so I went over him twice.  You can never be too sure.

I LOVE BATHING HORSES!

Action Shot.

Bargaining with Hatchet. Also: Our wash racks look like the ghetto.

Yeah, this is how I wash tails. Judge me.

Then I rinsed him off, and went to work with the conditioner. Similar instructions on that, to dilute it in a bucket of water...BUT WAIT, YOU LEAVE IT IN. I'm usually not a fan of conditioners on horses. I think that just stems from my innate laziness, though. But it's one extra step, and they'll get dirty anyways, right?? Baths are just a formality. I have to say, though, I was attracted to this conditioner because of the mere fact that I didn't have to do another rinse cycle.

So, I filled my bucket and went to work. One standout thing that you'll notice is that the conditioner was not lathery. Not to say that conditioner is USUALLY lathery, but you can usually feel it when you're putting it on them, or in your own hair, right?  Well, this just looked like water - but smelled lovely!

I know how to work a sponge!

Again, 1 one-gallon bucket was PLENTY to do his whole body, mane, and tail. I even sponged some onto his face - go me!  It was hard to fight my natural instincts to rinse him off, but somehow I was able to avoid it.

Sorry for the unwarranted boob shot - I'm not responsible!

After you apply the conditioner, you straight-up sweat scrape. COOL, almost done. For some reason, he was already looking shinier than usual, and smelled fresh-to-death. I don't really have anything else to say about this step.

The final step - the shine serum - can be applied either wet or dry. I figured, what the heck, he's already wet, let's do it NOW! :D Again, no pictures. Just imagine me putting the clear goo in my hands, and applying it evenly to both his mane and tail.

This shine serum, I gotta say, might just be the pretty little bow on top of this awesome package.  It smelled GREAT, is made of all-natural ingredients like macadamia nut oil and vitamin E (So it will make your horse's hair grow, LADIESSS!!) and a little bit goes a long way. I got excited and used the whole sample, but I bet I could have used that amount for a couple applications.  Hindsight is 20/20, isn't it?

So now we wait, and wait, and wait.

Hatchet doesn't mind waiting...

Still doesn't mind waiting.

And here's how it looks when he finally dried!

Umm...GORGEOUS! 

Shiny face

Even his crack was shiny!!

End result: LOVE this stuff! His coat was so soft, you could barely even feel it! (Is that weird?)

WAIT - let me do one of those cool before and after things...It's a blog, after all!

A few notes: Of course, the sun was at a romantical setting phase when we took the "After" photos, so I'm pretty sure it would have made even his dirty butt look decent, BUT I will tell you, the Body Package did bring out his coloration and his shine much more than before.  It made his colors brighter, and his whites whiter!  He smelled SO GOOD, and Amber let me know that his shine will last 4-5 days from now!

Now, where can you purchase this magical stuff, you say?

Well, you can always go to your nearest tack shop and see if they have it in stock (a lot of them DO!), or you can contact Amber here and purchase it from her! They've also got a very user-friendly website you can shop right off of. They also sell the sampler package that I was sent, so you can try it out for yourself before you take the dive! Perfecto.

She was definitely kind enough to send me some of this great product, so I'm sure she'd LOVE to help you discover this great brand too! Of course, you can always follow them on Facebook, or message her through there!  Tell her I sent you, for sure.

Special thanks to Amber Dunmire, for introducing me to this brand - we'll be in touch! ;-)

Also to my photographer and BFF, Erin. Thanks for all the ATTRACTIVE photos of me!

Happy Bathing!
The Horse Junkie

**Disclaimer - All products shown here were sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are my OWN!**