[Product Review] Aztec Diamond Breeches

I bought these breeches last autumn/winter in one of Aztec Diamond's sales and this summer I have well and truly fallen in love with them! They are ideal for summer as I think they are my only pair where I don't feel like I've put my legs in an oven whilst trying to ride in the recent heatwave we've been having!

They are also super comfy and I can quite happily wear them all day. They have a stretch Lycra sock at the bottom of each leg which eliminates any bulky fastenings so no Velcro rubs on your ankle like some breeches. They have four pockets and the back two are a great depth that my phone fits in well and I don't worry that it will slide out whilst riding as well as hiding treats well ;)

I love the bird design on these as it's something different from them being yet another navy pair of breeches in my collection! Unfortunately, Aztec Diamond no longer do these but I am thinking of buying their aubergine coloured breeches.

Considering I bought these in the sale, delivery was really good as I received them 7-10 days after purchasing with an email saying that due to the sale it would take longer to dispatch than usual.

If you're after a new pair of breeches then I definitely recommend you check out their site. I'm also lusting after their baselayers!

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Canter Coat Shine by Carr & Day & Martin

This product is fast becoming my new favourite in my drawer of many sprays! I actually bought it on a whim (really didn't need any more sprays, we now have a bit of a collection) but I had ran out of mane and tail spray so thought this might be a substitute for a few days until I could get to a tack shop. When I first bought it, I rarely used it and could not get on with the new style 'equimist 360'. Needless to say it lived in my drawer and got forgotten about until a month or two ago. Now it's used nearly every day!

The product claims to help repel grass stains and mud whilst leaving the coat non-greasy and with an oil-free shine. I have to agree that it helps repel grass and mud as Pea does seem to be a bit cleaner when he comes in if he's had the spray applied which is always a bonus if you have a grey. The company also say that the spray can be applied to the chest and shoulders to help prevent rubbing from rugs. Pea wears a fly rug where possible during the summer and it does tend to rub at the front, however I have noticed that there are fewer rubs at the front after the spray has been applied. 

I also love how soft and silky Pea's coat is afterwards! It lasts for a few days despite him being out 24/7 at the moment and not always having the spray applied every day. It's not slippy so there's no issue with applying it before tacking up (although the same can't be said with his lightweight which slides off rather easily due to it's material). 

The Canter Coat Shine is a great product in my book and works a treat as either a last minute addition before a competition or for general every day use. 

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Rambo Dog Coat

A slightly different post as it's reviewing something to do with the dog rather than Pea! However, seeing as a lot of equestrians probably have dogs, I thought I'd share my review of the Horseware Rambo dog coat. I have a collie x who we rescued last year, and whilst she loves launching into the stream at the yard and running through puddles, trying to take her for a walk in the rain is something she really doesn't like! So, at Burghley, me and mum set out on a mission to find her a nice waterproof coat that suits her nicely and is easy to put on/take off as she can be a bit funny about things going over her head! 

As I am sure many of you are aware, Horseware is an iconic brand, especially with regards to rugs. Therefore, it's no surprise that they also come up trumps with their dog coats! Poppy has a lovely navy coat with red trim that fastens by Velcro at the front and also via a belly flap. The coat is waterproof and has a small filling so it's perfect for chilly days. Poppy has worn her coat out in the heaviest of rain and come back nice and dry (though she now needs a hood and leg warmers but Dad's not quite so keen (; ). 

Whilst the coat does have a bit of a filling, Poppy has worn it on milder days and not come back too hot at all so it's idea for those April showers! The waterproof outer material means it's easy to wipe clean and the reflective back stripes are perfect for winter walks in the dark. 

If you have a dog that's a bit of a diva about walks in the rain, then it's definitely worth having a peak at the Horseware collection! 

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Feedmark Activet

Around Burghley time last year, I was chatting to someone from my yard about supplements (funnily enough, she also owns a Paddy!) as I was thinking about maybe swapping Pea's as I wasn't sure that his current one was really helping. She suggested I have a word with Feedmark as she had done that the year before and was getting on really well with them. 

So, whilst shopping round Burghley with mum, I dragged her over to their stand saying 'it'll only be a quick word!'. Mum has very little knowledge about horses and her main contribution is to ensure that I don't put pink anywhere near him so whilst I was on the stand browsing supplements and asking her opinion, I didn't get much of an answer! Luckily, one of the team soon came over and asked exactly what it was that I was looking for, what kind of horse I had, etc. 

As this was still the time where Pea was misbehaving but we weren't getting much luck as to the reason behind it, I gave the woman the basics. I explained that he's always had a history of being naughty but that he had recently been quite stiff behind resulting in back shoes being worn and ensuring that we didn't pick his back legs up too high. I mentioned that he's only 14 but that I was after something to help his joints and also potentially muscle as we weren't sure as to whether the problem stemmed from. 

She recommended that we could either try their 'ExtraFlex HA with rosehip' or their 'ActiVet' and leaned more towards the 'ActiVet'. After reading the ingredients and hearing the benefits from them, I decided to give it a try. She suggested we get a 1.7kg tub which lasts about 30 days as it would take two weeks for it to be introduced to the feed and then we had two weeks to see how effective it was. 

ActiVet includes the below:

• Boswellia: a herbal component which soothes older joints
• Glucosamine HCl: a building block of cartilage
• MSM: a source of sulphur, necessary for production of collagen and connective tissues.
• Magnesium: to aid muscle relaxation
• Linseed: a source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Helps to maintain condition.
• Soya: a source of quality protein important for muscle tissue
• Vitamin E and Selenium: antioxidants to maintain muscle health

It's suitable for horses in work and at rest helping to maintain flexibility and free movement as well as supporting joint structions and muscle functions. Pea has been on it since and I feel that it does really help him. I ran out of it for a few days and he did seem to decline a bit by not being on it as he became quite stiff. There is also a lot of great reviews on the product from people with elderly horses as well as younger ones so it's definitely worth a try if you have a horse that's a bit stiff!

I also have to recommend Feedmark as a company because they offer super speedy delivery. I'm absolutely useless at remembering to order more of the supplement when it starts to run out, often leaving it to the last minute when he only has a few days left. I placed an order last Monday for another month of the ActiVet, choosing the renewable bag (which I'm sure is way more than the original tub!), as well as ordering a large tub of garlic after continuously running out of that also. 20 minutes after placing my order, I received an email from one of their team to say that there was a delay in getting the orders out but that it should be with me on Wednesday. Considering that I wasn't expecting it until then anyway, I was quite surprised! Sure enough, when I got home from work Wednesday evening there was a lovely large box waiting for me :) (They also have free UK delivery!). 

I would definitely recommend giving Feedmark a look if you're thinking of a new supplement as they have lots of products on offer for all sorts of different things. 

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] HyShine Miracle Brush

Each winter sees Pea decide that rolling is a a daily ritual and that there cannot possibly be a day that he comes in clean. Therefore, having a pretty good collection of brushes seems to be a bit of a must have for me including a drawer full of various sprays! 

I originally picked up the HyShine miracle brush from my local tack store as a hope of trying to remove some of the carpet and sand surface that we have from Pea's boots. However, after Pea came in virtually brown one day, I decided to test it out on him and now it's a new staple for grooming. It's very similar to the Magic brushes that are floating around and I can safely say that I truly get the hype with them now! 

I love my little miracle brush that much that I might need to grab a few
more. They're quite cheap and do a great job at getting rid of the large amounts of dried mud that Pea seems to keep getting covered with (can I also add that it's always the same side and spot!!). They're not too rough on his clipped areas but work equally as well on his rather fluffy legs and hind quarters. 

If you have a horse who likes to take regular mud baths then I would definitely recommend you look into getting either a HyShine Miracle brush or one of the magic brushes as they are definitely worth the hype! It's currently the only reason I can get Pea going from the picture one the left to the one on the right!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] Euro-Star Priya Shirt

I saw this shirt a few months ago before it actually came out and thought it looked pretty good. Unfortunately, the first site I saw it on was advertising it for something like £60-£70 which I didn't really want to spend! I then saw a promo code for Topline Equestrian offering 10% so I figured I'd have a look at what they had. When I saw they had the Euro-Star Priya Shirt for only £40 I decided to hop at the chance of using the discount code and order myself one. 

The Priya shirt is quite literally amazing in my opinion! It features a mobile pocket on the upper arm which is ideal on slightly warmer days when you have no jacket/pockets to put your phone as well as a slit for your watch. It also features thumb holes meaning you can pull it over your palms to provide extra warmth. The inside of the shirt is fleece whilst the outside is made from fast-drying material. Having worn this in the rain I can safely say that it keeps you dry and does dry quite well without clinging to you like other materials. It can be worn on it's own or layered for the colder weather making it great almost all year round (not quite suitable for warm weather as you will probably melt!). It also has a kind of turtle neck with a zip making it easier and more comfy to wear. There is a bit of material behind the zip as well so it's not exposed and you don't get that horrible feeling of the zip rubbing against your skin. Initially I hated the idea of the material, but after wearing my shirt nearly constantly, I realise it's actually a great addition!

As mentioned, I ordered my shirt from Topline Equestrian. They had it in either navy or 'beaujolais' (red) & I had a rather tough decision trying to pick one. In the end I went for the red as the majority of my breeches and other riding wear are navy so thought it would go well with them. I am quite impatient when it comes to deliveries but then realise it's only been a few days despite thinking it's been weeks! However, after about a week or two I received a call from Oliver who runs Topline Equestrian. He called to explain that unfortunately he'd been involved in a riding accident resulting in a short hospital stay and as he is the only person behind the company, there was a bit of a delay in getting my parcel out to me. From this alone I would definitely recommend the company as very few would take time to give you a call to explain the delay! He also offered a free gift as an apology which was ridiculously nice of him, and again very rare & unexpected. After another week/week and a half, I received another call from Oliver asking if my parcel had actually been delivered as he'd used another company. Unfortunately it hadn't so he chased it up and sent me a text the next day to let me know it would be arriving within a day or two. True to his word it did and I was shocked to open it and find two shirts in each colour! Seriously top service!! 

I would definitely recommend this top to anyone as it fits nicely and is perfect for riding in, especially at the moment when it can be mild one day and freezing the next!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] Horseware Brianna Riding Jacket

I bought this jacket from Burghley after deciding that I couldn't keep wearing my uni riding jacket (turns out, I still will!). I spotted this one and thought it would be great for keeping me warm in winter and the peaked hood is the ideal attachment. Initially I wanted a coat similar to my uni one which is a softshell type of jacket but many of them aren't really waterproof which isn't ideal with our weather!

After wearing this in the worst weather, ie when it was absolutely hammering it down with rain and rather windy, I felt that I simply had to write a review about it as it proved to be amazing! Unlike previous coats, this one kept me nice and dry as well as the items in my pockets which has proved to be a let-down in other coats. The peaked hood means that it keeps the rain away from your face but it is also detachable so can be easily removed if not needed. It also features quite a high neck which keeps the wind away whilst providing you with extra warmth in case the 100g fill wasn't enough! It's not too bulky either which I have found with other winter riding jackets so it's easy to move and ride in. I think I only paid something like £70 or £80 for this so it's definitely worth it!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] LeMieux Wrapround Lambskin over-reach boots

After Pea had hind shoes put on earlier this year, I began to notice that he was clipping himself quite a bit. Before, it wasn't majorly noticeable as he didn't have hind shoes on so there was no noise nor was he cutting himself or anything. However, with shoes on you could hear him over-reaching and he also developed a small over-reach cut. I decided, therefore, to search into getting him some over-reach boots and when I saw the LeMieux lambskin ones, I couldn't resist! 

I ordered mine from VioVet and they arrived within two days - super speedy delivery! I was a bit worried at first because when I opened the packaging, the lambskin came away from the boot quite easily so I was slightly concerned that it wouldn't last. However, I'm glad to say that I've had these for a few months now and they're still in a very similar condition to when I got them and that the lambskin hasn't come off!

I've had these boots for around 4 months now and they've been worn quite regularly when schooling and lunging as well as for the odd hack. They've also been through the stream and worn in warm weather as well as the rain which has caused  puddles and a soft arena surface. I've never had any issues with these boots coming undone, slipping or interfering in any way. This is great for me as Pea can be funny about having boots on so I was worried when I first got them that Pea wouldn't take to them but luckily he's had no issues wearing them. 

Pea is a 15hh connemara x so normally wears a medium, but after consulting the sizing guides for these and seeing one or two other posts about these boots, it was decided that the Large is a better fit. I would therefore, definitely recommend that you look at the sizing guide before purchasing these to ensure you get the right fit! The large does fit Pea really well; they're not too long but being adjustable mean that they fit round well and give a secure fit. 

As I mentioned, these have been worn through the stream as well as having been hosed off after a ride and they've not lost shape/lost lambskin/damaged in any way! I leave them to dry wrapped round the stable bars and they always dry well and are fine to use the next day. 

I would definitely recommend these boots as they look smart and last well. 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] NAF Citronella Wash

I have been using this product for a few months now and it's a perfect way to cool your horse off after exercise and also helps to keep the flies at bay. Having a grey means that when Pea sweats, all the muck embedded in the coat comes to the surface, and so this is a great product that helps wash that off without him needing a full bath. 

I just add one capful of this to a bucket of water and apply with a sponge before using a sweat scraper to remove excess water. This is such a quick and easy product to use because you don't need to rinse it off or hose before hand, saving lots of time! It's also great because Pea can sometimes be iffy about a hose going up his neck and as that's where he gets really sweaty, using this product causes less stress! (And it also means, I don't get as drenched!). 

I'm not entirely sure how effective it is at keeping flies at bay or how long it lasts. I tend to leave Pea in during the day to keep him off the grass and he does seem to have a few flies on him when I go to turn him out, but he hasn't had any more fly bites so...

Along with the NAF tags (reviewed here), I would recommend this product for others as it's a great way to cool your horse off after a ride and does reduce the amount of flies around - at least for a couple of hours after use! 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Laura Loves] H&M Loose Tee's

Jersey Top - £7.99

A slightly odd post I guess but these tops are perfect for riding in! They are loose fitting so perfect during the warmer weather as it means they don't cling to you so give you a bit more air to breathe! I picked up a couple a few months ago as, although I love polo shirts, I just find that when we do have some warm weather, polo's are just a bit thick and not too suited for warm weather!

The tops are £8 and come in a wide range of colours. They are great to wear at the yard or out shopping and are easy to pair with any breeches or jeans in any pattern! I am definitely planning on picking up a couple of more as I love mine! 

So, like I mentioned, slightly unusual as you normally see 'equestrian' products featured on here but these tops are more affordable than many 'riding' tops and as I mentioned, they can be worn anywhere and not just at the yard but still look stylish!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] Nettex Tack Conditioner

Riders are always told that they should regularly clean their tack, suggesting that it should be done after every ride in order to keep it in top condition. However, many of us don't. It's time consuming and a slight pain. I'm awful at cleaning my tack, I can leave it for weeks before cleaning it but then I came across this product! 

Net-tex Traditional Tack Cleaner is a "simple to use spray on and wipe off formula which provides efficient tack cleaning that removes dirt, sweat and grease whilst also waterproofing the leather." This means that you don't have to faff around with wiping the leather down with water first, and then applying the soap, etc etc. Instead, you simply spray on and wipe off with a clean sponge or cloth. I use this once a week on my tack (keeping the bridle together) and then I don't have to worry about it being neglected! I will also strip my bridle once a month or before a competition and give it a 'deep clean' with saddle soap, but at least with this I can give my bridle a quick go over with no hassle!

As you can probably see, I paid £4.50 for this little bottle which has lasted me a few months as you don't need to use endless amounts - a small squirt goes a long way! On viovet they have a 200ml spray for £3.99 and 500ml for £5.99. I would highly recommend this product if, like me, you aren't quite a tack cleaning fan and need something that's quick and easy whilst still being highly effective! 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] NAF Off Citronella Tags

NAF off citronella fly tags are a must have product for me during the summer. I find them highly effective and pick them up each summer (this is my third year of using them I think). They are easy to use and I attach them onto the bridle (you can just about see it in the photo above). As I am going on holiday Saturday, I am planning on plaiting one into Pea's mane for the week as he suffers badly with the flies and often ends up with a few bumps from fly bites. I find that when Pea is wearing one of these when being ridden, he is very rarely bothered by flies - especially round his head. 

According to the NAF website, the tag contains citronella oil which is "contained within a special compartment of the tag which makes it durable, waterproof and convenient to use." I have trialled with various fly sprays over the years but never found them truly effective and Pea would still get a bit bothered, especially out hacking, however with the tags he's perfectly happy. They do have a strong scent (when you first take them out the packet and place them where you want you will smell it for the rest of the day) and they last for about 4-6 weeks. 

They rrp at around £9-£10 and you get two to a pack. I normally only use them on the bridle but as I mentioned above, I will be plaiting one into Pea's mane for whilst I am away and I know some people from my yard have used them this way and got on well with them. They take up no space at all and can be attached on the bridle, headcollar, plaited into the mane or tail or I suppose you could even hang them in the stable. Being waterproof means you can happily plait one into the mane and turn your horse out with them without worrying that they will lose effectiveness as unlike fly sprays, the rain won't wash it away! 

Do you have any fly products you recommend? As mentioned, Pea suffers quite badly so I'd love to hear about any products you love!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Product Review] Bespoke Browbands

So I'm 90% sure that Pea really didn't need a third browband but how could I seriously resist when the lovely Mark from Bespoke Browbands contacted me with this b-e-a-utiful green beaded browband?! It provides a lovely splash of colour (I'm all about colour) and looks so nice on him! 

I would definitely recommend anyone to look into Bespoke Browbands if you're after a new one because:

• they are super friendly! They put up with my forgetfulness at replying, my indecisions, my difficulty in which size I needed, etc!
• they have a whole range of different bead collars and bead types and I think you can also custom make your own! (perfect for cross-country colour co-ordination/team colours)
• they are so reasonably priced! They vary between about £15 and £25 for a browband and all prices include p&p unless they state otherwise :)
• they don't just do browbands! They also do dog collars and stirrup leathers so you can match ;)
• the leather feels really nice and good quality
• super speedy delivery! I ordered & paid for it late Thursday night and it arrived the following Monday morning :)

I'm not even kidding when I say I am in love with Pea's new browband (sad, I know) so if you want to add a bit of colour to your bridle, why not check them out and let me see any photos!

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Roma Lycra Hood

Last night on Twitter, I was having a discussion with a few people about how to keep greys clean and I realised that I hadn't done a product review of Pea's hood. It also coincides with a post done by Jess (GeeGee & Me) who featured a headless hood that I had been thinking of trying in an attempt to stop Pea's mane being rubbed. I have actually owned this hood for a few years now as I bought it in an attempt to keep Pea clean before competitions when he was living out full time.

I know that there is a bit of speculation around the use of hoods with many owners being understandably nervous due to the possibility of them causing harm. I have also heard some horror stories of them, however luckily for me I have never had any issues with mine! Before I purchased this one, I did look around a bit and I can understand how some can cause issues as there were ones for sale which you had to cut your own eye/ear holes out off and the sizing can be a bit off.

I think what makes the Roma one work so well is that it is a zip fastening and also there is an elasticated strap with buckle that does up where the girth sits. This means that the hood fits really well and I have never once had any issues with it slipping, nor is it too tight. The hood can be used in the stable and in the field - although one downside is that if there's a long period of heavy rainfall it does slightly rub but nothing major! Pea's not ever overheated in it either (obviously it is mainly used in Winter).

Another good point of this hood is that it's great value for money. I believe mine cost around £35 from a local tack store, where as the snuggy hood ones are twice the price! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone as I've had mine for years and use it to keep him clean before competitions or if the weather's meant to be a bit drizzly and I need to keep him dry and clean in order to ride after work.

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] MacWet Gloves

Sorry they're mucky! 

This product review is probably really long overdue! I received these gloves from Samantha (Haynet Blogging) to review as she was unable to ride at the time. Unfortunately, I only got to use these properly for a month before going on placement leaving Pea on a 3 month holiday and I don't think I got round to writing the review amid the chaos of finding somewhere to live and sorting things out! 

However, since November, these gloves have been religiously worn each time I ride and when I lunge and I've grown rather fond of them! 

Reasons why I love them:

• they are fitted which means that they fit to hand literally like a glove, no annoying large fingers, and so it makes untacking/tacking up wearing them much easier. 
• they don't slip on the reins when you get caught riding in the rain!
• they keep your hands nice and warm when you're schooling in the winter and don't overheat too much in the summer either.
• because they are fitted I think it makes them look a bit smarter too...maybe that's just me?

Not so good points:

• I don't really have any negatives. The pair I have are black and ideally I'd prefer them brown, which they do do, but for general schooling it really doesn't matter (right....)!

Overall, these are a great pair of gloves and have lasted well. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a pair of good riding gloves that you can also wear doing other yard duties!

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Shires Lunging Roller

Before I start, I would like to apologise for the mucky, fluffy pony! haha!

I have owned this roller for around 3 months now and felt it was time to write a review! I have been meaning to buy a roller for over a year or two as using a saddle to lunge can be such a pain! It's annoying how rollers can be so expensive, however this Shires one was less than £30 and it's sheepskin lined! 

Things I like about the roller:

• the sheepskin lining means that I don't necessarily have to use a saddlecloth
• the price!
• the multiple rings

Things I don't like:

• It may be that I bought one a bit too big but to me it seems slightly long - but as I say that might just be me!
• How to clean it?! This is probably the same with all rollers but as it's sheepskin it's can't necessarily just be wiped!

Overall I would definitely recommend this roller if you're looking for one on a bit of a budget as it's just as good as all the more expensive ones, if not better! 

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] Horslyx Licks

Hello!

I've been a bit quieter on the blog as I've not had many ideas in mind. Luckily, a good hack out on Pea always seems to give me a few ideas! One product that I buy which I often overlook is the Horslyx licks. Pea loves these and definitely prefers them to the likit ones; I think this is because the likit ones work if you have the holder which I don't - plus the swinging one would drive him mad and he'll end up ignoring it! 

Last Saturday (13th Dec) I got Pea clipped and the lick came in great use as a distraction and the small ones are really easy to hold without it becoming too hard for the horse to use. Normally Pea is sedated for clipping but I couldn't get anyone out when the vet was out so I took the risk to not sedate him but grabbed some sedalin instead just in case. Turns out that I didn't need the sedalin as he was actually a perfect saint but the lick came in handy for when he started to get a bit bored and a bit antsy. 

Horslyx are good as they are not completely full of sugar but do also contain a nutritionally balanced formula so I don't feel quite so bad when I forget to take it out his stable at night! (Luckily, Pea won't spend all night having it, I think he just has the odd lick and that's it!). There are four different types - original, mint, respiratory and garlic - so there's a good choice. Pea often has the mint as that's the one that I can normally find but he's also had the original and respiratory once - I am actually planning on grabbing the respiratory one as a bit of a Christmas present! 

There are three sizes - the mini which is perfect for clipping, stretches or taking out to shows as a treat, the 5kg which is a good size tub and lasts a while so is great for leaving in the stable, especially if they're in for a while and the 15kg which is a field type sized so good if they're out in individual or paired turnout and there's not a great deal of grass - I don't think they would go down too great in my field with 10-20 horses out! 

The one downsize is the orange muzzle Pea gets from them which he likes to then pass onto you when he decides to rub his nose over your coat or if you give a treat afterwards! Or, as I once accidentally did in that I forgot to take it out the night before a competition when he'd had a bath so he decided to wipe it all over his legs! Not helpful! 

Overall, I love the horslyx product range and they are the lick company that I will always go back to as I know that Pea gets on with them really well! 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

Ps: apologies for the not so great photos, Pea wasn't being very cooperative! It didn't help that his friends all came galloping to the gate when he was outside the field on his way in so he had a few rears and tantrums!

[Product Review] Hy Diesel Jodhpurs

Hello!

S.Milner & Son - £25

I have owned these jods for around 10 or 11 months now and decided I should do a review on them as I love them. Normally I prefer breeches, but as they can be slightly on the expensive side, these jods are the perfect item for everyday wear. They cost less than £30 and considering how I wear them most often, they are lasting really well! 

One feature that I absolutely adore is the pockets! They feature a front zip pocket which is something I always look for in riding legwear. I hate jods that don't have a zip pocket as I hate the ones inside so like a zip one to put my phone in when I ride. Not only do these jods feature that pocket, but they also have 2 rear pockets and a front slant pocket - absolute bonus! 

The one feature, however, that I'm not so keen on is the leg. They are quite long for me so I have to fold them up at the bottom which makes them slightly bulky which is a bit of a pain under socks and if I wear thicker socks then it's a bit of a hassle with my riding boots. 

Overall I would give these a 4 out of 5 as they are super comfortable - you can easily wear them all day! Also the pockets are so useful and for the price that they are they are good quality and have lasted me a while so far! 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

PS - in case you're not aware, I've been nominated for Haynet's blogger of the year along with some fabulous other bloggers. If you would like to vote you can do so here!

[Product Review] Horse Head Cake Tin

Hello!

Another one of my passions is baking and you will find me most weekends, or even some weekdays, in the kitchen baking mainly cupcakes or brownies. I am forever browsing supermarkets and shops for their baking equipments and have a slight cupcake case addiction! I can't wait for December when it will be more acceptable for me to use either my reindeer cases or snowman ones (I actually bought the reindeer ones in about March...)! My family are often asking me to bake cakes for birthdays/anniversaries/meals/occasions! 

Hobbycraft has recently opened near where I live and I was browsing at some of their stuff when I discovered that they have a baking section. I was so excited when I saw their cake tin selection, especially as there was a horse head shaped one! I was even more excited when it was half price so obviously I just had to have one! 

My cake didn't quite turn out perfect as I found it a bit hard to get the cake out of the tin but overall I'm pretty pleased with it, I just need to maybe grease it a lot more which is hard with all the grooves in the tin! Overall, I think this is a great buy and will be perfect to use for birthday cakes for any horse enthusiast or child! 

Have you made any equestrian themed cakes? I would love to see any photos (you can tweet me at @Lauraaa_CB)! I'm always looking for new ideas! 

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

[Product Review] NAF Silky Mane & Tail D-Tangler

I have tried various different mane and tail sprays and always say that they seem pretty decent, but then I bought this one... It was on offer in my local tack store and it's a pretty large bottle so decided to buy it. I've often thought that mane and tail sprays can be a bit on the pricey side and do not always seem to last that long (or people steal some!), however this, as mentioned, is a larger bottle, and I also found that I don't need to use it that frequently! I have noticed this more over the past month or two, especially, as I only get to see Pea at the weekends. Normally, leaving Pea's tail for a week would result in it being horrendous, however, I have noticed that if I have used this, even a whole week before, although his tail is still a bit tangled, once you brush through it it is still soft from the spray.