Dressing up Your Horse

Holy Cow!

2008-02-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

OK ... so Sheila and I were out riding our horses (Dash and Ellie) all relaxed and talking about life (we can figure almost anything out on the trail) when we came around the corner headed toward the spooky shady part when I see it. Big and brown just staring at us with its huge eyes and then Dash sees it and immediately goes into his imitation of a Giraffe Statue at which time I go against the advice of the wise Sheila (who from looking at our profile has obviously read more in the last month than I have in my life time) who once told me when we were facing the inappropriate fox (that's a totally different story) that she had read somewhere that we should make our horses face the perpetrator instead of turning which will put them in "flight mode". So ... I promptly put Dash into "flight mode" and decided that this was not the day to face the Cow. Dash broke his Giraffe Statue stance and was happy to turn around. This made me happy because I had forgotten my crop this particular day and anytime Dash complies immediately when he is in full out Giraffe Statue mode is a good thing. After thinking about it I wonder if Dash would have kept going towards the Cow - I think he might have but it is the "might" that makes me feel OK about not pushing forward. Maybe I will make an intention charm that says "face the cow" or just "Holy Cow". Hey - I'm serious, these intention charms really work, if I had just remembered that I had the "Sit Deep" on my saddle, I would have reached down and touched it like I do when I realize that I am about six inches off the saddle in some sort of jockey position when I am stressed or afraid (which is more often than I would want to admit .... no really - the "sit deep" is going to eventually disappear). I am thankful that Dash had his Mane Bling on - Turquoise with a red feather, I believe that the jingle of the bell and rhythm of the stones tapping against his neck is what kept him calm. My plan is to clip on the "Holy Cow" intention charm and head back out to the trail, take Sheila's advice, face the perpetrator, sit deep and see what happens!

Why The Heck Would You Dress Up Your Horse?

2008-02-16T08:35:00.000-08:00

In the past, “Accessorizing your horse”meant buying a saddle, bridle or halter. Not anymore! Riders everywhere are searching for a unique way to enhance their riding experience, stand out and just have more fun.

Austin, Texas, February 13, 2008 – Riders are well aware of the issues that present themselves at various times on their journey with horses. These challenges can be as simple as just getting to know a new horse, to a paralyzing fear of mounting. Advice on what to do to handle these problems is easy to come by, but two Austin women who worked and rode together, decided to provide a unique solution that would not only help riders improve their riding or relationship, but would be fun and glamorous too – jewelry for horses. Yes horses!

“Kate Austin, “The Queen of Bling” has too much style for one person,” says Sheila Armitage, COO. “She started to dress up her horse, Dash, on the trail, and received many an admiring comment. So we decided to spread the love and make Bling for others.”

So what exactly is Bling? Envisage strands of turquoise, glass, silver or any other type of beads, finished with bells, feathers or rider word charms. These can be clipped into horses’ manes and forelocks. Imagine key rings beaded with letters, Swarovski crystal, and charms – in many colors, materials and styles.

These can be clipped onto a horse’s bridle, saddle, halter, or onto the rider’s zipper, boots or belts. Rider Intention Charmsä are designed and can be customized for any style of riding, from “5 seconds” for rodeo riding, to “sit deep” or “center” for English or trail riding. Riders can concentrate on the symbolism of the color or the semi-precious stone as part of their training or bonding experience too. For example, turquoise is renowned for its protective qualities. The color blue has a calming quality.

Horse Bling has a serious side too. “Being riders, we want to improve our horsemanship and riding. The rider words really do serve as a literal reminder, c lipped onto our tack. Our riding has improved,” says Sheila.

“We ride spirited horses, and you will often hear us say, “I am so glad I have my ‘Sit Deep’ charm on today,” adds Kate. Recently, while trail riding, both riders were swarmed by aggressive bees that coated their horses’ heads and bellies. The horses started bucking to free themselves of the stinging insects. Sheila’s Intention charm said “center” and Kate’s “sit deep.” They were both able to stay on and then dismount safely. They credit their good fortune in this scary riding situation to their charms, since their riding practice had been focused on their riding words for several weeks prior to the bee incident.

How do the horses like Bling? They love it. In fact, Dash, gets irritated if he is not dressed-up. When he rides with sound chimes or bells, he spooks less on the trail. So the bells calm him, giving him something to think about other than phantom killers pursuing him. The Bling stays in too. Even after the bee incident, the horses’ Mane Bling and Intention Charms stayed in after their frantic gallop back to the barn. Their bridles snapped, but the Bling stayed on.

Customers love it too: “Magnificent. I found myself smiling the whole time I was going through the website. I think the whole thing looks great. Beautiful concept!! Creative, fun, meaningful products, reasonable prices too,” wrote one customer. “Received the order. Loved it. Looks great on my horse,” reported another.

Interviewed by “The Sunday Times” of London, “The Hill Country Sun” and “At Your Leisure,” Horse Bling is getting interest and positive feedback. It is the newest rage at the barn, on the trail and in the ring. It is unique, fun and functional. In addition to the Intention Charmsä and Mane Blingä, Horse Bling is a place to find unique gifts, hard to find colorful tack, t-shirts, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, horse-mad greetings cards, and whimsical one of kind horsey items.

If you are looking for a way to spice up your ride or take care of a riding challenge, visit www.horsebling.net or call 1 877 96 25464 (BLING).

Introduction to Horse Bling

2008-02-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

When you just have too much creativity what do you do? You dress up your horse of course!

We started clipping jewelry into our horse's manes, forelocks, and onto our tack. Other riders laughed, paid us compliments and asked where to get Bling from. Then the addiction began. Once we started experimenting with different colors, materials, and riding words, we discovered there is much more to Horse Bling than just clipping beads onto our horses. For example, we ride spirited horses who often spook on the trail. We found that bells and chimes calm our horses, giving them something to think about.

To learn how Bling helped us get through a bee attack on our horses and more, visit us next week. Visit www.horsebling.net