higher standards leather care review

A miracle happened the other day.

I didn't think it could have happened, but it did. I bought this old leather harness for cheap off Facebook. I was warned that it needed cleaning. I just didn't expect this. . .

Ewwww

So the harness sat in a box in a spare room for about a year. In the meantime, I had ordered some Higher Standards Leather Care for a friend for Christmas, then they donated some soap and conditioner to our Harry Hughes Youth Equestrian Center fundraiser, then I ordered my very own set. I used the set on my Ariats and now they look really nice. 

But I really didn't think the soap and conditioner could hold up to the dried up moldy mess that was this harness. 

Just ewww. I didn't even want to touch it.

Terry agreed to help me tackle this harness since she loves to clean tack. She recently cleaned her saddle with the soap (Fox's Vanilla Lavender) and conditioner I got her and she loved the smell and how nice and supple it made her saddle.

Some parts, after soap

We each started working on different parts of the harness. It was beyond dirty. There was probably 30 years of sweat, grime, poop, and grossness on this harness. I thought we would go through the whole can of soap, but we didn't. A little went a long way. And the smell made the dirty task bearable. The soap cleaned the harness right up and really worked its way into the leather. Terry commented that is seemed to condition as it cleaned. The stiff harness started bending and softening as we worked the soap into it. 

Then we used the conditioner. It smelled like chocolate, which was nice. The leather ate the conditioner right up. We used our fingers and worked the leather with the conditioner. A little bit of the conditioner was all that was needed to really soften the leather. It was a beautiful thing. I was in such awe of how amazing this product is! Like I said, I did not think this harness could be saved. 

All cleaned!

bridle

Breast collar. This was the stiffest piece and the piece that was white in the first photo!

Saddle

The leather on the harness is actually very nice and responded incredibly well to the soap and conditioner. I think at one time it may have been a good quality harness. It even has some really nice stitching details on the bridle, lines, and breast collar. 

Higher Standards Leather Care is great and did an awesome job of bringing this harness back to life. Lots of other blogs are raving about it and I am so happy I tried it for myself. Not only does the soap come in some great smelling scents, but it is a very effective product. Shyloh and I give Higher Standards two hooves up!

If anyone wants a harness, this one is for sale! I am going to test it on the two sizes of minions at the barn to see what size harness this is for sure. 

sweety pie shy gets to work

Shyloh was incredibly affectionate today. Being all snuggly is not her M.O., but I'll take it when she gives it out. I was grooming her and she  put her head on my shoulder and just held it there for a while. It was definitely an "awwww" moment. Especially since after I pet her head or rub her neck, she always shakes it off afterwards. 

I went out to the barn with a plan. I had been re-reading a book sent to me by Dreaming on training a horse to drive. I know Shy can drive, she (we) just need to get some confidence in ourselves. So, I thought to take a few steps back and really drill in her commands, mostly whoa and stand. We always have trouble with stand.

I tacked her up in the barn, it is getting cold outside! And Shy promptly tried to get into Clutch's food. 

Her head almost fits through. .  .

Which brings us to another problem. . .Shy's ever expanding girth. Seriously, I could not buckle her harness girth! I think Shy may have to live permanently with the minions because she clearly has not demonstrated that she can handle herself with the round bale. And, as if she does not have access to the round bale all day, when she comes inside, she tries to steal Isaac's food! Jaime even had to change out her buckets so she stops getting to Isaac's and dumping his. How she does this, we have no idea. 

No self control

Anyway, Shy got her harness on and we stopped for a quick photo shoot. . .

Go Blue!!

Then I took her to the round pen. I lunged her and worked on her commands. I was pleasantly surprised that Shy was spot on. My only issue was that her trot to whoa was more of a slow down shift to a stop than a quick stop. However, I think that may be okay because I don't want a sudden and jolty stop. And then we she did stop she turned into me and started to walk towards me. 

Ready to work!

While we were lunging, I was dragging the whip behind her, through the leaves on the ground. Shy was fine with that until she heard it coming up next to and in front of her. That made her stop. I clicked her on and she would walk until the sound came up next to her again. But hey, a stop is better than a bolt forward. Shy eventually got over this. 

See the hay baby?

Then I line drove her around the round pen. This is were we worked on stay. Shy was a rockstar with stay! We made this short and sweet since she was doing so well. Why is it that going back into work after time off, Shy is always so good? It is after she has been in work that she starts being a butthead. I think a couple more sessions of this then we can work on hooking the plastic sled again. Then maybe Shy can shed these extra pounds. . .

And another shout out to the Horze college jacket contest! Click here to enter now!

back in action

The weather has finally cooled down! I hope it stays that way . . .we are ready for winter! Shyloh has been preparing for winter for quite a while now. . . 

This was just the beginning. . .

And with winter brings sledding! We did a lot of sledding last year and really got some good training in. I am not sure why I am so much more comfortable in a sled than in a cart. Shy seems much more comfortable with it, too. 

It has been cool enough to go out back and not get swarmed by various species of hateful, flying bugs. I had walked Shy back there a couple times, but never all the way around. She seemed totally fine with being out there, plus she was totally surrounded by soy beans. 

I put the harness on Shy for the first time in a couple weeks. I grabbed her purple sled and loaded it up with bags of sawdust pellets, probably 80-100 lbs. I took it real slow with her and led her at her head so she could get used to the weight. Shy was perfectly fine with it. I led her out back and over the creek, then took the lines and asked Shy to walk on. 

In perfect Shy fashion, we had a little argument and Shy somehow ended up all tangled in the traces with the sled in front of her. Grrr. Good thing I kept the lead rope with us! I was able to tie her to something in the back and fix her. Then we tried again. This time was better, but Shy did manage to step over the trace and spent half the time around the field with the trace between her hind legs. She didn't care, so I didn't care. 

Shy was fabulous! I think this is what she needs. Harder work. More weight. Open field. Maybe she needs to plow? Maybe she needs more of a purpose? I don't know. . .but I am going to look into getting s sled or stone boat for us to use. I think Shy will do good with something like that. . . That is how I plan to spend our winter and hopefully it will prepare us for next spring and we will be ready for some wheels!

I had wrote this a week or so ago (I am trying to save some stories while I am not able to make it to the barn cause of my internship). Today's trip out back proved very different from this one. . .stay tuned!

pre show prep

Our first show is Saturday!! I can't wait for show season to start and I took my time with Shyloh today to start prepping her for the show. And since I won't be able to get out to the barn until Friday, I had to start today.

The first thing I discovered when I went to get Shy out of her pasture is that she is in raging heat. Raging. Like she doesn't even bother to put her tail down because in a few seconds it will be back up for her to squirt. Nasty. And she does this crazy walk with her back legs spread apart. Such a weird horse. 

The lucky horse of Shy's affection is ironically, Traveller, the horse she refused to let get past the fallen tree when he first joined the herd.  Oh yeah, she really likes him now. 

  

A new love

But, good thing for me, Shy seems to contain her moments of heat to the geldings. When she is with me, she is the same as always. I started to groom her today and I noticed this sticky tar-like substance on her tail, butt, and rear legs. Weird. I was pretty positive that it was not poop. It was black and sticky. Very odd. Since I was convinced it was not poop, I was touching it and pulling at it. Later, I discovered it might be poop and I was totally grossed out. But after I put her back with the herd (and after I sprayed her with fly spray), I went back to her and she seemed to have this substance on her again. Any ideas what it could be? I did not get any photos of it.

I worked as much of it off as I could and I am giving her a bath Friday, so I wasn't too worried about it today. The more I checked her out, the stranger Shy got. She had these blood splatters on her under carriage and little bumps as well.

See the blood splatters and bumps? Had to censor her lady parts.

See it here? I am guessing bugs are doing this since Dancer had it too. 

I sprayed underneath her with water and washed the area off. Apparently it did not seem to hurt or bother Shy because she never swatted me with her tail or even lifted a leg. Anyone know what this is?

I also cleaned the dust out of her new harness. I put it on Shy and wiped it all down. Gotta love biothane! So easy to clean! Then I stored it in a plastic container to keep it clean and keep the dust off. Now I just have to wash the pad. 

I had Shy wear the harness while I cleaned. She needs to take an active part in  pre show prep.

The last pre show prep for today included a shave. I sadly said goodbye to all of Shy's cute whiskers and trimmed up her long beard hairs. She still would not let me clip the outside of her ears. I can hold the clippers to the side of her face, right below her ears, touching her, but the second they come within a millimeter of ear hair, Shy says NO! I also trimmed up her hairs along her coronet band. I am not touching her feathers, I like them too much. And her bridle path got a touch up. I know I will have to clean everything up on Friday, but I wanted to get a head start since I have not trimmed her since last summer. 

Smooth as a baby's bottom.

I am so excited for show season and all the crazy, fun, and busy-ness that comes with it!

new-ness

I got a few new things I wanted to share. Thanks to the creativity of others and the awesomeness of the internet, blogging, and Facebook, I have received some very cool tings recently.

The first is from Josie's Curiosities, who makes custom, hand stamped jewelry and other stuff. I discovered her on the American Haflinger Registry group page through Facebook. I ordered Shyloh a cute bridle tag. 

I also got some for Jaime and Kyle's big guys, and Kathy's horse. I think they are real cute! I just need to get a bigger circle thing to attach it to Shy's bridle or halter. 

The next thing is my prize watercolor of Shy from Kate over at The Adventures of Lucy. We won the horse shaming contest as the random winner. I could have chosen an amazing English saddle pad with a hand painted design on it, but we don't ride English. So, this is what we got instead:

I love it! I just need to find a really nice frame for it.

Another thing that Jaime and I got for a friend whose filly had to be put down was a sketch by Emily of The Art of Emily Dieleman. She is another person I met through the Haflinger group on Facebook. She did a beautiful sketch of the Gypsy Vanner,  Eibhleann. 

I love how Emily was able to capture all her fuzziness! 

Up next is my new tack. Shy got her farm harness. We had to make a bunch of adjustments for my off shaped horse, but we got it to fit. I got a great deal on this harness. I might need to get a new saddle piece, but what she has works for now. She is looking good!

And we got a saddle! 

I need to punch some holes to shorten the stirrups, but aside from that this saddle will do the job. Jaime's aunt found this saddle for a steal. 

I also got myself a new helmet that fits my head. My other helmet was a tad big. And I think that is it for new things going on in my world. Anyone else get anything new?

big clinic day

Holy farmer's tan! Whew are my arms red. But it was well worth it. I think a lot got accomplished today. Jaime's aunt let me borrow her trailer and I got up super early to pick up Shyloh and head to the clinic with Terry, Jaime, and Kyle.

Peeking out the window

First up was braiding manes and tails. For draft manes, a special ribbon is used to make a type of braid called a mane roll. The draft tail gets a braid and a bun. Shy got a tail cut because her tail was as long as it has ever been and was hanging on the ground. I knew I would have to cut it at some point, so no better day than today. Becky used Shy as the demonstration pony, which was good for me since I have been incapable of doing it on my own. Lesson one: It really does require two people. Lesson two: my attempts at the mane roll had me using sections of hair that was too thick. Lesson three: Shyloh can really clamp those butt muscles! Wow. She showed some of her best clamping during the tail bun demonstration. Lesson four: Becky can do some tight braids! But when all was done, the results were very pretty. Becky did a fantastic job.

Pretty tail!

After that, we had showmanship and halter practice. What I learned in this part of the clinic is that you are not supposed to let your horse fall asleep while waiting for your turn. Shy always falls asleep.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

She must find it boring. . .I also learned a little bit more about showing showmanship and halter, so I will be able to put that to use come showtime. . .if I can keep my horse awake in the line up.

Our lunch break included a discussion on Scotch bottom shoes. While I will never put those shoes on Shy, it was interesting to learn about them. I did not stay for the whole discussion, about halfway through I went to check on Shy. As I was petting her neck I found a tick! I am not looking forward to starting this whole tick thing again. Yuck.

Up next was safe harnessing and hooking to the cart. Beth was awesome and helped me fit the new harness to Shy, which included many confusing buckles and punching new holes. I may have to get a new saddle piece, but this one will work for now. Good thing for Beth, because she knew all these tips and tricks to get the harness to fit Shy just right. 

New harness!

Next she hooked Shy up to her cart and took her driving. This horse messes with me so bad because she was damn near perfect for Beth. They had a great start and Shy was doing very well. Then I got in the cart. I don't know why I am such a bundle of nerves with her. It is frustrating to me, but there is not much I can do about it, except keep on practicing. There was a point today where I was questioning myself and Shy because I have no confidence when it comes to riding or driving her. While I still don't, I think now that maybe me and Shy can make it work,

Cruisin'

When Beth was driving her, we discovered that the ball bearings on my wheels are shot. My new wheels. The wheels I have never used until today. What the hell? So I got out of the cart and Beth drove her back to unhook her. When Shy saw she was near her trailer spot, she started acting up. She would not back up for Beth and was giving her a hard time. I would have had a meltdown myself, but Beth handled it like it was no big deal. After Beth got Shy to do what she wanted, we unhooked her and  Beth went to hook Art.

I think Skylar liked it!

Beth also took her new puppy, Skylar for his first cart ride on Art. How cute are all of them?  Art took a couple kids around for some cart rides and I watched Curly. . .or Moe. He has two names. I have mane envy when looking at him.

Look at all that on Moe/Curly!

Art!

By now, most people had left and it was just a bunch of us Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit people still at the clinic. Jaime's aunt had found a saddle and she brought it for me to try on Shy. So I did and it seemed to fit pretty well. Haley was volunteered to get up on Shy and try it out. Shy was actually very good for Haley, quick, but good. Haley had Shy super trotting and turning and said she would be good at barrels, haha!

Then, I got on Shy! I haven't really been on this horse since October. . .well no one has aside from me sitting on her bareback a few times. As usual, I was a bit nervous (just because I know what she can be capable of), so I asked Haley to walk next to me. Shy was actually very good for me. We walked a bit, then I just sat on her and chatted for a while. It felt good to sit on my horse!

When I got off of her, this little boy asked to ride Shy. I said yes, but that I would walk with him. Shy was perfect for him. Absolutely perfect. *Proud pony moment*

Shy and her new buddy. She really liked him!

By now, we all were sunburned and tired, so we packed up and headed home. Shy seemed so happy to be home, she nickered when she stepped off the trailer and wanted to trot to her pasture. Once in there with the halter off, she took off towards the back where the rest of her herd was. 

On the way home after dropping Shy off, I drove the truck with the trailer. . .first time ever towing anything! And I did awesome. Now I am about to fall asleep dreaming happy pony dreams. Shy was a good pony today!

new harness!

A friend who knew I was tentatively searching for a work harness sent me over a Craiglist ad last week. It showed a never used work harness that looked really cute. And had an unbelievable price. After emailing back and forth all week, I headed out to this place to pick up my new harness and collar. 

Hurrr. . . new stuff!!

Turns out that this was Pretty Pony Pastures, a therapeutic riding barn that uses all Haflingers! And a place that I had volunteered at once, way back when I first got Shyloh. 

But before I headed out there, I had to run to the barn for a farrier appointment for Shy. Of course, since I was rushing the clock, Shy was way out back and had no intention of taking one step in my direction to give me a break. I was so rushed, I forgot her halter and lead rope and I had to borrow one on the fly from someone who had their horse in a grass pasture on my way out there. Once I got Shy, I ran us both back just in time for the farrier to have just pulled up. 

Shy got her trim and I asked my million questions, as usual. Her feet look real good, as usual. He assures me of this every time, but I am still a worry wart about her feet. 

Jaime went with me to this far away location to pick up the harness, a collar for Shy, and a collar for my friend. Driving through rush hour traffic in a particular densely populated area does not make me a happy person. But when we got off the freeway, we went through some really cool small towns and country area. And finally, we made it.

I picked up my harness and the collars when Jaime asked about the stand the harness was on. After measuring the stand and my car, then totally emptying out my car and rearranging it to fit the stand, we got everything crammed in. Jaime kept hitting her head on the collar rack that was practically in the front seat. And I couldn't see out the back of my car. Leave it to Jaime to get an awesome deal on something. She is the best at that. When we repacked the car, I almost left out the harness I came all the way out to  get. . .oops! I was also offered a free practice cart, which I might actually go back and pick up. We did contemplate somehow attaching it to the roof of my car, but that never happened. 

Fully packed Mariner

The reason I needed (wanted) a new harness was that the different harness show in different classes. Shy's first harness was a breastcollar harness, which means that she would have to show in the pleasure classes. I don't know much about pleasure driving, but I do know it involved a variety of gaits that I have no idea how to get Shy to do. I am sure that there are other rules that I have no idea about, too. With the work or farm harness, which is the collar type, Shy can show in the draft class. There is only walk and trot in that class. No passing is allowed. It is so much simpler. 

Bridle and hames (not my pic)

Harness and harness rack that Jaime bought (not my pic)

Collars (not my pic)

I am going to take it down on Sunday to our clinic because I really do not know how to put on or fit this type of harness. That's why all I have are these Craigslist photos of the new harness. Have I mentioned that I am super excited for the clinic? On the way home, we stopped at Bass Pro Shops to look around. Can't pass that place without stopping!

shafted

I have completed homework assignment #4. I stopped at the Home Depot and got some PVC pipes to make shafts. I think the guy thought I was nuts when I asked for two 70 inch pieces and one 32 inch piece. Then he thought I was more nuts when he asked what I was building and I told him shafts for a horse. He was puzzled and I did not feel like explaining. 

I got to the barn, put my shafts together, and let Shyloh play around with them. I had to use the clicker to get her to touch them, but after a few clicks and treats, Shy was walking in and out of them and biting them. She was totally fine. 

Jaime and Kyle came up to the barn to help me head Shy. I out her harness on and started line driving. I had Jaime at the head and Kyle behind us, just dragging the tire. After I felt Shy was comfortable, we hooked the tire up and got to work.

After a few rough starts, Shy was awesome! After really analyzing her step offs, I realized they are the same when she is being ridden. . .they are scoots! She tucks her butt and scoots forward. We worked on stopping and walking on, until we got zero reaction from Shy. I think it took about four times for her to get comfortable and step off without issue. Even when we changed from sand to gravel to grass, there was no issue. I kept Becky's words in my mind the whole time and praised Shy a ton to let her know she was doing good. Kyle even stepped on branches and made other noises, which startled Shy, but she regained her composure quickly and just kept walking. 

We decided to put on the shafts. The point of the shafts is to get Shy used to cart shafts and not have her bend when turning. I let Shy know what we were doing and she had no problem with us putting the shafts through the tugs, duct taking the corners, and using bungee cord to hold the back end up. Hey. . .only the best for Shy! Haha!

The best part of the day. . .after attaching the shafts and asking Shy to step off, it was perfect! No scooting, no freaking out, just a nice smooth step off. Yay! We worked on sharp turns, having Shy turn by stepping her legs over each other instead of bending. She did good! We parked her having ended on good note. No, a great note! Jaime gave Shy some tasty treats called Stud Muffins. Shy loved them!

Kyle said "No texting and driving!"

I think my next step will be having the header stand away from Shy because I think she gets comfort from that person right next to her head. Kyle says we should attach a radio to her that plays that spooky, creaky Halloween music. . .I am not sure about that!

Next, we went to Jaime's barn to introduce her newly gelded 2 year old Percheron to Clutch. I guess Notch looks too much like a Percheron the Isaac (the baby) mated with. 

Aside from some squealing and striking, a few kicks, and a couple rears, the first meeting went really well.

Clutch striking out with both feet. He is the boss!

Isaac doing some sort of defensive rear.

It feels good to be making progress all around!