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!** 

Riding as Exercise - It's POSSIBLE!

Hi, Hi. I'm here and alive and well.

So it's time for my bi-annual update! I kid, I'm just horrible at updating regularly.  We know this by now because I think I introduce each entry the same way.

Recently, my riding buddies and I have been on the subject of riding as exercise.  I know most all of us have come across some non-horse person that says, "What?? You just sit up there...You can't tell me that riding is a sport/exercise!"  Once I'm over my feelings of 'I-wanna-reach-over-and-choke-you', I usually defend myself by saying something unintelligible about "posting the trot, or hanging on for dear life, or you try it! You try it!" Pishaaw.

Lately on our rides, we've been tracking our distance, MPH (So fun), riding time etc. through an app called Runtastic.  There's either a free version, or you can pay for the full "Pro" app for $4.99. (Read: I am a sucker) Although mostly difficult for us to remember to turn on at the beginning of our ride (#FAIL), this app is super handy for tracking ALL sorts of data as you ride, but more importantly, is set up for HORSE RIDING. Yes. How cool. Go download it! (Sponsor me?)  At the end of your ride, it also tells you how many calories you burned during your ride.  Calories...wait - me, or the horse???

A recent ride of mine. Yes, 26mph, my horse is fast! :)

After a major brain fart, we deduced that this must be OUR calories, because a horse is much larger and therefore would burn MUCH more than 400 or so calories during a strenuous mountain trail ride (that would surely kill me if I attempted to do it sans horse).  Does that make sense, anyone with an education?  Of course, because we're big blabbers, us girls, we got on the topic of how many calories do we burn each day we come to the barn?  This of course, the question, because it determines how crappy we'll be able to eat & drink - guilt free - following a trip to the barn. Hey, I didn't say I was training for the Olympics, here.

So this app tells us one thing, but how about the interwebs? ...Since everything on the internet is true.

Google and The Ultimate Horse Site tells me the following:

Calories Burned in Horse Activities

Whoever thinks horse riding and care isn't excercise never owned a horse! Between the shoveling and the grooming and the training, you're burning up a lot of calories-- for example, riding at a trot burns more calories than a brisk walk!

Horse Activities - Calories burned per hour:

ACTIVITY:	For 130 lb person:	For 155 lb person:	For 190 lb person:
Shoveling	354 cal/hr	422 cal/hr	518 cal/hr
General Horse Riding:	236 cal/hr	281 cal/hr	345 cal/hr
Riding horse at the walk:	148 cal/hr	176 cal/hr	216 cal/hr
Riding horse at the trot:	384 cal/hr	457 cal/hr	561 cal/hr
Riding horse at a gallop:	472 cal/hr	563 cal/hr	690 cal/hr
Horse Grooming	354 cal/hr	422 cal/hr	518 cal/hr
Baling hay/cleaning barn:	472 cal/hr	563 cal/hr	690 cal/hr
Shoveling Grain	325 cal/hr	387 cal/hr	474 cal/hr
Fencing	354 cal/hr	422 cal/hr	518 cal/hr
Polo	472 cal/hr	563 cal/hr	690 cal/hr
Hiking, cross country (if your horse is hard to catch...)	354 cal/hr	422 cal/hr	518 cal/hr
Brisk walking 4 MPH	236 cal/hr	281 cal/hr	345 cal/hr
Walking, carrying 15 lb load:	207 cal/hr	246 cal/hr	302 cal/hr

Burns more calories than a brisk walk??? NOW we're talking - says the girl who hates exercising, and loves her ponies.  Now, granted, you have to use your noggin, because you WON'T be trotting or galloping for an entire hour straight, but this IS a good ballpark for gauging your ride overall. Which is handy, because it's about how I calculate my calorie intake.  You know, "Well, I didn't LICK the bag after I ate all the chips, so that saved me 100 calories or so." It works, try it! Best diet ever - take that, Dr. OZ!

So I guess, if you have a dinosaur flip phone still, or don't usually bring your phone along on rides (UMM, you should), you can always go home and use your stone tablet and chisel to calculate your approximate calories burned on your ride. How COOL, Brianne! Thanks for sharing. AND, as an added bonus, next time someone tries to talk smack about riding not being a "SPORT," pull this up on your phone, hand it to them, say BOOYAH!, and walk away. But don't forget to come back and get your phone. You'll need it for Runtastic, afterall.  Am I bitter?

Let me know if you end up downloading and using the app (two very different things, I've found). I think it's worth a try!

Happy Trails!
The Horse Junkie

REVIEW: Custom Stall Signs

Picture me, BORED one day (I know, difficult to imagine), and I'm cruisin' Facebook...

Then I see this one tiny photo on my feed that someone random "liked"...it's this ridiculously cute sign with a horse's name on it, and a cartoon horse off to the side.

*Click*...*Scroll*...and BAM! That's all it took - I had to order one! How convenient that my BFF's birthday is right around the corner - perfect excuse to make her the guinea pig! (Sorry, Erin). **Evil Laugh**

Anywho, creepiness aside, the Facebook page that I quite literally stumbled upon is simply called "Custom Stall Signs"

What, you didn't believe me??
Source: https://www.facebook.com/CustomStallSigns

FIRST OF ALL...Look how insanely adorable that caricature is. Do I even have to say that?? If you think the computerized/Photoshop version is cute, check out the HAND PAINTED versions!

Just a few examples, you know.

I think there's such a charm and uniqueness to all of her designs - TRUST ME, this is just a super small sample of what she's done, and what she's capable of!

So, this amazing "One-Man-Show" girl, Bryn, can either do a super cute cartoon version of your horse...fairly exactly down to the markings, or she can do crazy-realistic painted versions of your horse's face...or BOTH! As you can see, really easy to go nuts, here.  She works with you directly through email, (and might I add, is GREAT with customer service) to make sure the sign is everything you want, including the background, border, whether you want to add glitter, and overall design of the sign! Guys, let's be real. I know we have all these specific images of our horses in our minds, etc. etc. AND on top of that, we're already crazy horse ladies, so believe me when I say, this woman has the patience of an angel, and take criticism super well!

Beyond that, it looks like she is trying to expand her business some (which, she should!!) to include car & refrigerator magnets, exhibit A:

...and some keychains, which appear to still be in the works.

Either way - WELL DONE, BRYN!

The sign I worked with Bryn to create came about like this...

STAGE 1: Nailing down the main design, and colors.

STAGE 2: Borderrrrr

Stage 3: Fine-tuning the details. Asked her to add more feathers, and perfect the border! 

(Which, by the way, matches the brads on her custom bridle!)

AND...(Drumroll, please)....

THE FINISHED PRODUCT! :)

I think it's safe to say, Bea likes it :)

So, you say...Cost? Lead time? How to order? Of course you do! I don't just write shining reviews for nothin'!

Cost: Varies some, dependent on what you want on the sign (As far as if you want a realistic painting vs. a caricature, or both)

Lead time: If I'm not mistaken, she's out about a month or two, or maybe three, but she does offer RUSH processing for an additional fee, if that's something that you're interested in.

How to order: Very simple, contact Bryn at stallsigns@gmail.com to place an order or to ask a question!  If you're looking to place an order right away, and why wouldn't you, be sure to include reference photos! The more, the better!

Of course, you can always check out her website - here it is again: https://www.facebook.com/CustomStallSigns

Believe it or not, this blog post/review was NOT sponsored, and I paid full price for my sign. Will be ordering two more soon!

Apples & Carrots, 

Breezy 

Top 10 Horse Finds on Etsy

Ok so, recently, I think it's fair to say that I've been obsessed with Etsy. Who wouldn't be??

If you're as craft-retarded as I am, of COURSE you're gonna want to pay other people to make you cool homemade things...right? And what better handcrafted things would us Equestrians want to purchase blindly than Horse-related items?!?

That being said (It's OK to be in denial, but I know you're going to read on...), I have put together a list of the top 10 coolest horse-related items I've found on the site. In no particular order, here goes!

1. Horse Pattern Infinity Scarf

Umm...way cool infinity scarf. You can be trendy and nerdy, all at the same time! Go horses!

2. Wall Decals

If you're like me, your horses keep you broke enough that you have to live in an apartment.  Can't paint those walls!  Next step, wall decals! Genius.  Granted, this one is an entire paragraph (And a little showy), but there are plenty of decal shops on Etsy that have cute (and maybe more subtle) designs like this one.

3. Surprise Mug

OK, really?? Too cute. I have one like this with a zebra in the bottom that a friend of mine gave me, but you can't have it. Get your own.

4. Faux Taxidermy Wall Head

I know this errs on the side of creepy, but I like it.  Don't judge, just order one. I think they can make it any color you like too!

5. Horse Hair Jewelry

There are several shops on Etsy that do this, but here's an example. I once got a keychain made from Tail Spin Bracelets, and it was gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but it cost me...oh, it cost me. Whyyy didn't I think of Etsy??

6. Custom Browbands

Again, there are SO many shops that do so many cool things with browbands, so be sure to shop around before you land on one, but here's one shop.  Beautiful work, and even better that someone took the time to hand make them!

7. Personalized Bridle Charms

I went NUTS last year, and bought these for each of my barn friends, for EACH of their horses. Yeah, I know, get on MY list. :D This shop is by FAR my favorite. Great customer service, shipped quick, and the quality was fantastic for the price.  They also sell halter plaques, etc.

8. Wire Wrapped Horseshoes

Best gift EVER for your horsie friends...also, super cheap and HANDMADE. Love, love, love. Did I mention I loved Etsy? Have also purchased from her, and her quality is great, and shipping is quick!

9. Horseshoe Bowls, etc.

Once more, there are several shops who make things out of horseshoes, but my favorite as far as keeping the original shoe intact is this shop...CUTE STUFF.

10. Custom Painted Breyer Horse

Probably the COOLEST thing that I have not yet bit the bullet and purchased yet, are these custom hand painted Breyer Horses. This lady called Breyer and got Holy Permission before she started, and now she can custom paint (And well done too...) a Breyer Horse to look just like your baby! She does beautiful work, seriously, check it out. A bit pricey, but you understand why!

Ta Da! There you go. Go nuts! Thank me later.

Also, I promise I'll be better about posting...and what happened to MY Etsy shop? Who knows. I made a few shirts and then stopped, as I do with everything. I'll get on it!

Love & Carrots!


**This entry is NOT sponsored by anyone on here!! Blah blah blah...**