Products That Work and...... Products That Don't

[barngirl]

What a great thread…
Things I like:
Showsheen… super shiny white tail on my dapple/flea bitten gray

Quic Color… really whitens his white and pops out the black!!!

Ariat boots… the only thing i hated was thier plastic zippers… but they are using metal now… they are so comfy and I have only had trouble when I negelected to clear and care for them

Orvus… goes a long way… cleans in hot or cold water and leaves their coat soft …a lso great for cleaning sheaths…

Chick’s Saddlery’s Triple stitched leather halters with chin and crwon adjustments… brass hardware for I think $22… for $24 you can get a brass name plate added!!! it isn’t fancy and they do need to be oiled, but they look great and last. I can’t justify spending more than $25 on a halter as they can so easily get broken.

Those cream colored thick straw fiber hard brushes… if your horse is not a muddy monster you can skip the curry brush and goes a long way in that elbow grease shine department.

I love my Schleese saddle and so does my horse!!

I love my myler bits… My horse went from going in a pelham to a No-pinch dee ring and no martigale… he loves it and is soft and happy when working!!

Anything by Buckeye feed company… I love their feeds and their horse treats are cheap and don’t make a big messy in my grooming tote. Horses love them.

JOinted stirrups… helps me with my knee and back pain and still healing ankle sprain!!!

the Neck Stretcher… bungee thingy that encourages a horse to use its backand neck… my horse has a super topline and it really helps him relax his back and use his hind end… way better than draw reins or anything else.

Dislikes
Any saddle with a deep seat!!!
Draw reins
TS’s … I don’t mind the color, but I can’t stand the fit… and I can’t ride with a seam in my inner thigh or I get horrrible rubs.

[Robby_Johnson]

I can’t think of any that I can add, and some of you have given me some good ideas.

You can get English wool-felt pads through Stateline Tack, actually. Look at their big catalog. Also, Stubben makes them too.

Robby

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

[elnachick]

too fun! it’s great that the very thing on one person’s “love it” list, is on another person’s “hate it” list

My likes:
duct tape, baling twine, and double ended snaps
excalibur
glycerin saddle soap and lexol
vetrap (not the knock offs)
polar fleece coolers, they work great
weather beeta horse clothing, esp. the old school turnout
tea tree oil, citronella oil, and peppermint oil for various things
vetrolin shine for tails
bigeloil and/or vetrolin
good old murphy’s oil soap for tack
grooma curries, especially the soft one
witch hazel
round cotton leadropes of ample length with a knot tied in the end
nevr-dull metal polish
the old-fashioned crocheted (sp?) ear nets - the ones that have fabric covered “ears” and a little croched bonned with fringes

dislikes:
super ultra lasts two weeks fly sprays.
bungee crossties - hate those things!
nylon lead ropes
lead ropes that don’t have knots at the ends!
rambo blankets. I have always found them to be a bunchy pain in the neck to deal with (being the gal who had to put them on someone else’s boarded horse, etc.)
those “Thermalux” blankets that were so popular about 6-8 years ago - horrific fitting and total shavings magnets
furacin. Once you stick your finger in the jar, the whole lot is contaminated, it always drives me nuts to see someone taking a glop out of a tub of furacin (with hair and dirt in it…) to put on a fresh wound. Plus it melts and generally gets gross.
Farrier’s Formula. I swear, you can tell by the smell in the stall that a horse is on this stuff, I just hate the smell and I’ve never known anyone to comment that it made a big difference (I like other products better)
those farnum mesh fly bonnet things with elastic edges, that when the horse rolls end up with dirt crusted exactly over their eyes, that shift and cause rubs near eyes, etc. They work for some but I’ve never had luck.
peace,
jen

[This message was edited by elnachick on Jul. 16, 2002 at 04:17 PM.]

[FlowerPower]

At my barn they make everything… fly spray, hoof oil, saddle soap…

I like the Bronco fly spray for short term too, like during your lesson etc. Since none of it really works, I skip it, except for the lessons and I wash that off afterwards - why leave chemicals that don’t work on the pony? The fly spray Phyllis makes smells like salad dressing gone bad and I KNOW it doesn’t work! I faithfully put it on her horses before their dressage tests but see the flys on them anyway.

The hoof oil she makes is fantastic. So is the saddle soap… she just melts down a glyscerin bar, adds a big splash of Lexol (sp?) conditioner and puts it in the fridge to reharden… clean and condition in one step saving (me) TONS of time! I love it, make it for myself as well!

---

~Arkie clique~

“Do, or do not, there is no try.” – Yoda

[JRG]

Things I like:

Hammanol for leather conditioner

Solitude- I don’t want to be around my horse with this fly spray. Note: Shouldn’t be used daily.

Buccas blankets. Rambo’s too.

Grooma curry’s, the one with all the little rubber nubbies. Works wonderfully on my sensitive TB.

Vetroline shine

Feibrings- For hooves, it is the only one that has an anti-bacteriant in it.

Lemattes wool pad. Just awsome, have 3 of them.

Big Waste of money:

Micro tek, didn’t do squat for my boys fungus

Thrush buster too darn expensive…period.

Repel “What”…anything at all

Argentinian strap goods, once you touch it you can’t get that smell out.

[Lord_Helpus]

Geeze, guys, this is great. I am keeping a list. Only one problem: some of these things I have only vaguely heard of before and i don’t know where to look for them. Junior Jumper was great to post all those links to her girth. Maybe some of you could edit your posts to include what tack shops you buy these products at??? Cuz if it ain’t in Dover or SLT, I probably don’t have a clue where to look for it… Like fly masks with ears. What do you all do for your horses who get ears trimmed for shows? Around here no one carried masks with ears…

I will add that both Ariats and Horseman’s one Step are on my “Can’t live with it, Can’t live without it” lists. I have a Love/Hate relationship with both products… but I will keep on buying them until something better comes along.

[JuniorJumper01]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lord Helpus:
Geeze, guys, this is great. I am keeping a list. Only one problem: some of these things I have only vaguely heard of before and i don’t know where to look for them. Junior Jumper was great to post all those links to her girth. Maybe some of you could edit your posts to include what tack shops you buy these products at??? Cuz if it ain’t in Dover or SLT, I probably don’t have a clue where to look for it… Like fly masks with ears. What do you all do for your horses who get ears trimmed for shows? Around here no one carried masks with ears…

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I feel honored.

For fly masks with ears the Crusader mask looks awesome (although I haven’t had any personal experience with them. Maybe some owners of them could help out here.) I was going to buy one while my horse was at our old barn because flies were pretty bad, but we moved, and flies now are pretty minimal and she doesn’t need one.

ANYWAY, Dover and (I think) SLT carry the Crusader fly mask. They come in “long” sizes which cover the nose and with ears. And there is a nifty hole between the ears for the forelock to pop through.

Here’s some links:
Fly Mask with Ears
When you get on that page, there are links to many other Crusader masks. (long, long with ears, and standard.)

Dover also carries the popular Farnam Supermask with Ears ($19.70), a short hood fly mask ($15.70), Riders fly mask with ears ($11.99), and the Absorbine bonnet with ears ($15.70) which looks like the horse would keep it on for approximately 5 minutes. The Crusaders by far seem the best.

Check out Dover’s 2002 Catalog on pages 128-129 or their sale catalog on pages 58-59 where all of the above fly masks are on sale! (Or if you want just ear protection, you could use the fly bonnets that all the jumpers are wearing these days!) There was also a great H&R article on this subject (fly protection for horses with clipped ears) that I will have to dig up for you.

E-mail me if you need product numbers or anything if you don’t have the sale catalog.

If you need help finding other products people have mentioned, e-mail me and I bet I can find it for you.

~One tequilla, two tequilla, three tequilla, FLOOR!~

~If you can’t Dodge it, Ram it~

~Amanda~

www.pbec.net

[Pony_Jumper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ghazzu:
Derma-Gel wound ointment.
Actually works.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Where do you get Derma-Gel? I got from some my vet when my horse had a cut that wouldn’t heal on his leg and this stuff was so great for it! I would like to get some more, as I have almost finished the bottle, but I don’t know if I should get it from my vet or if there is another place to get it.

[Ghazzu]

I believe Derma-Gel is only available throught the vet.

I second the flex stirrups (I have the Sprenger knock-offs) for those of us with bad knees.

For sole toughening, Durasole.
Available online through Alvin Farrier supply, IIRC.

[Sleepy]

Well, this thread has taken a turn for the weird, discussing formaldehyde and dairy cow udders. I don’t think I want milk from a show cow either.

DMK, to remove Elastikon residue or anything else sticky like that, use something with acetone in it such as Absorbine. Also useful for removing labels from places they should have put labels in the first place. Anyone that has nail polish or fake nails, be careful doing this as it will destroy your nails.

[daytimedrama]

Tri Tech 14 is the stuff in the silver bottlem it’s expensive but it’s the only thing that works!!

~Christina~
“I don’t patronize bunny rabbits!” -Heathers
Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool.

[deltawave]

There are easily as many opinions out there as there are people and horses, but here’s a few more…

LIKE:
–Repel-X, it works as well (poorly) as the others and is cheap and the smell reminds me of being a kid!

–FLY PREDATORS! Honest to God, there are like NO flies at our barn this season; the owner puts out a new batch every 2 weeks, and they seem to be working great.

–that new Orange Bottle (some southwestern name) sunscreen/coat conditioner stuff. Got a sample pack at a charity auction and it’s keeping my girls nice and clean and slick. If it keeps dark bay Kelly from turning bronze, so much the better…stay tuned.

–cheap-o brand yellow mouthwash is the BEST liniment, and usually around $2.00 a quart.

–Quic Braid

–Formaldehyde or Turpentine for tender bare feet. Turpentine is easier to use and less risky to the horse.

–Legend. Have tried EVERY oral joint supplement known to man, with ho-hum results. After 2 shots of Legend, Kelly is sound as a ROCK again (was ouchy in the hocks) and feeling like a million bucks. I figure 2 shots a year is about the same cost as all those daily supplements…

DON’T LIKE:
–herbs 'n spices, homeopathic remedies, and “natural” products in general. NO data, NO proof, NO well-done controlled studies and NO regulation. That’s enough for me!

–those “leather polish” products that leave an icky film on your tack. Plain old castile or glycerine soap and Lexol conditioner for me.

–Vetrolin for MY horse—makes her break out!

http://www.deltawave.homestead.com
http://www.seeliecourt.homestead.com

[Sleepy]

Am I the only one who doesn’t like Leather Therapy?

Favorites
Fredelka leather conditioner
Schreiner’s Herbal Solution
(really does get rid of summer sores and proud flesh)
Ivory Liquid
Any thing with tea tree oil
The hoof oil in the white jar with the horse shoe - has the same ingredients as what I used to custom blend

Don’t waste your money
Excalibur
Orvus

[Jo]

Off the top of my head…

LIKES:

• Infusium 23 leave-in conditioner. If I had a scanner, I could show some before and after shots of my horse’s tail.
• Corona as a hoof ointment
• Fleece schooling square from Dover
• Lifesavers as a cheap, individually wrapped treat (note: not good in Texas summers)
• Mrs. Pasture’s horse cookies
• My Ariat boots (both paddock and field)
• My hand-me-down spurs that I got from an old barn mate
• ORVUS! I love love love this shampoo.
• Roll-on deodorant (hee hee) fly spray for the pon-pon’s eyes and ears
• Absorbine liniment gel stuff
• MSM
• Chiropractic work

DISLIKES:

• SHOWSHEEN, get it away from my horse! I’ve got a barely used bottle if anybody wants it.
• Mane N Tail (ick ick ick)
• One of the Equinyl products (GL? maybe?) - didn’t do squat for the mare, so she’s back on MSM

Geez, I’m drawing a big blank here. It’s easier to go through the likes because I can just think about what is in my tack trunk, but I’ve gone through so much stuff that I don’t like, I don’t buy it and then I don’t think about it anymore.

All I want for my birthday is a COTH khaki hat. Or for mine to come home. That would work too.

[hitchinmygetalong]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HelenD:
Stuff that Works;

Grazing Muzzle that attatches to the halter (NOT the all in one version - that has thinner rubber and a too large hole and the halter part falls apart.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Second that! I had the “all in one” and after four repairs tossed it and got a turn-out halter and the muzzle that attaches to the halter. Much better.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship.”
-Louisa May Alcott

[twotempi]

vetrolin - wonder of all wonders, and it smells SO good!

tea tree hoof oil (with green label) - great for white / striped hooves.

Listerine - the best bit/spur/metal wash, takes out stains, disinfects…

Loreal Kids Tangle Tamer - non-drying and smells wonderful (pear scent especially)

epona bar in a jar saddle soap - puts a great,longlasting luster on tack.

Sore No More - works better than prescription muscle relaxant on my back spasms!

Absorbine Superpoo shampoo - smells nice, cleans well, leaves coats really shiny.

First Ice ice boots - better than ice cells, mold to leg and stay cold forever.

[Louise]

SLW may very well be right when she says they work best on quiet, well behaved horses. I bought some for my Polish Warmblood, the one with the big spook and the sense of humor.

He jumped around so much, and pulled at them so that they wouldn’t stay in place, and by the fourth or fifth time he had them on, he had them destroyed.

---

"We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotle

[Ms_Anthrope]

I have yet to find a fly spray that works. They’re water-based so as soon as your horse sweats it’s pretty much gone. What i did find to be effective was to spray tails heavily with whatever brand is cheapest. That helped. For thrush, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, mist lightly. Way cheaper and more effective then anything else. Bareback pads in general are a waste of money. I also agree that ariat paddock boots aren’t worth it, mine lasted six months while the original pair I got (I think they were devon-aires) lasted 9 years. I had them resoled once and replaced the heels twice on them but that’s only because I destroy shoes since my feet are bad.

[lilblackhorse]

ok, I will jump in with my limited memory:

Likes:

Passier Lederbalsam
Hydrophane
Kirk’s Castile
Showsheen
Turnout rugs with warranties (TAKA-tho the buckles sucked)
Schreiner’s
my 25 year old Stuebben body brush
Sterlite or Rubbermaid containers
Roma Equalizer gel girths
Roma galloping boots
the Absorbine green fly spray stuff
Saratoga Oasis fly sheet
Aanstadt Daas full seats
Mane master
Myler bits
Coolmax shirts & microfibre underwear
fleece instead of wool for some coolers
Wellington boots for rainy weather
kerrit’s vests
rubber reins with handstops
Jolly balls
Body protectors (Tipperary)

Dislikes:
Cowboy magic (it isn’t water soluble, and is a mess to clean up if it spills, take my word for it)
heavy gel pads
Nylon halters and leads
dressage pads which are too long
Ariat paddock boots
Orvis shampoo
Sleazy sleepwear

Wow, I am sure I am leaving out something on the dislike list, but I am such a tackaholic, I can get excited about any product!LOLOL The cowboy Magic when it was ripped open by the barn packrat was my most frustrating moment. I liked the stuff too until I tried to clean it up. I htink my more frustrating ongoing product are the Ariat boots. I even recently called them and told them that they stink, and for $185 for Hexcel Pro’s they should last a lot longer than a year of mild to moderate use. . I am pleased to see I am not the only one annoyed with Ariat.

aimee

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

[mmaurer]

I love all the healthy hair products. Their shampoo’s are awesome and the critus makes my grungy grey shine,and keeps him clean until he gets home to the dirt hole he loves to roll in.

I hate hay bags and hay nets. Why can’t they make bags that stand up to wear and don’t rip and horses can chew holes in them.grrr.

Leslie Maurer
Jump The Moon Sporthorses
Home of Echo Shea (arab sporthorse) and Outrageous Fortune(overo Pinto RPSI)