Colleen works with clients to custom design each EquiCouture™ sheet expressly for them. “I made a sheet for Lendon Grey’s dressage pony that was fantastic—it was an iridescent maroon/black with gold Napoleonic bees on it. It suited the pony’s personality perfectly—he had a big neck and a big attitude, and looked like a horse until you got next to him,” Colleen laughs.

For clients who prefer a more subtle profile than the shimmer of silk, EquiCouture™ can make cotton dress sheets. “One of my most popular sheets is a simple cotton check. Another client ordered some plain gray cotton sheets with a lovely plaid lining for a bit of added zing and color,” Colleen explains. All sheets can be finished with plain binding, decorative cording, even ribbons—EquiCouture™ makes a seersucker sheet for ponies with an eye-catching contrasting ribbon trim that has a lot of personality. Pony sheets are also available in madras plaid cotton.

For those who really want a coordinated look for their pets, EquiCouture™ can arrange to have a dog coat made to match the dress sheet. “I have a friend who is an incredible seamstress—she makes the dog coats to match. They are too much—really cute.”

Kevin Babington with Dr. Jennifer Platt's Diago

“I notice in the catalogs that some of the commercial blanket makers are now offering stable sheets and even fly turnouts in a more daring selection of colors and patterns, so maybe the tide of equine fashion is turning,” Colleen notes. “But I like to think that maybe I’m starting a trend, at least in the show world.”

For more information and additional pictures, visit www.equicouture.com. If you’re interested in inquiring about sheets, you can reach Colleen at 203-731-7822.

Dakota Grifith, AQHA National High Point Champion,
proudly sponsored by Eqyss Grooming Products

In sampling the Eqyss products, we had a difficult time deciding what products should be the focus of this feature. Every product is all natural, dramatically effective, and they smell delicious. The Eqyss Mega-Tek was the product that really caught my attention. Eqyss lists this product as a mane and tail strenthener, as well as a product that will accelerate hoof growth and improve shelly feet. In their typical modest fashion, Eqyss does not even scratch the surface of what this product is capable of.

The effect of the Mega-Tek on hair growth is astounding. One customer’s sixteen year old Quarter Horse mare severed an extensor tendon and had a 7" long, 2 to 3" wide gash on her leg. The cut was to the bone. With regular applications of Mega-Tek on the injury, the scar is undetectable. With so many similar testimonials available from customers all over the world, I knew this was the product to try on my young Thoroughbred.

My horse had one long scar on his left hind from an accident out in the field that I thought would be there forever. When he was body clipped, the scar was even more noticeable. I decided to apply the wonderfully coconut scented Mega-Tek to the scar to test the result. I saw the hair growing on that scar within one day. The scar is now gone, and I use Mega-Tek on every bump or scrape I see on my horse to ensure the hair will grow back quickly.

It seems the products horse owners are the most familiar with are the Eqyss Marigold Fly Spray and the Micro-Tek Shampoo and Gel. The fly spray is so gentle, you can spray your horse’s face with it and it will not burn their eyes. Various trials from publications across the country list the Eqyss Marigold Fly Spray as the most effective all natural fly spray available on the market.

The Micro-Tek products are also phenomenal. Most fungal issues can be easily treated by a good wash in the Micro-Tek Shampoo and regular applications of the gel or spray. Dimitria Arneson from Naples, Florida writes, "I have been using your anti-fungal Micro-Tek Shampoo and Spray for the last 2 summers with much success. Here in southwest Florida, horses suffer with summer itch, a black fungus that grows on their skin and is so terribly itchy that they rub the infected areas raw, creating open sores and resulting in infections if not attended. Summer itch has already started its evil cycle on Easter, a white Quarter Horse which I am leasing.

I can attest to the validity of your claims because of the results I have seen in just three days of using Micro-Tek Shampoo & followed by the Micro-Tek Spray. Easter's open sores are almost completely healed where she had rubbed the fungus-infected areas raw. The most exciting part is that this morning, the third day of treatment, she calmly allowed me to shampoo and treat her face, poll, and ears! An exciting breakthrough, as the first two days were a real struggle, with her shying away and throwing her head up in the air. I can't help but think that the two prior days soothed her skin irritations so much that it enticed her to cooperate."

Visit www.eqyss.com to learn more about the vast inventory of amazing products available from Eqyss that are fit for us to use as well.

I had the privilege of a personal introduction to Moxie's revolutionary products by Tammy Barber.  My first meeting with Tammy can be most appropriately described as passionate.  It is clear that every detail of every product is painstakingly analyzed to ensure that everything Moxie offers is of the highest quality.  Because they are riders, Tammy and Wilhelmina are able to anticipate what is needed by both horse and rider to create products that actually do the job for which they were intended. According to Wilhelmina, they were simply tired of items that broke too soon, wore out too easily, or were too difficult to clean and care for. So, not finding what they wanted on the market, they decided to offer these products to the equestrian industry themselves.

And what a success straight out of the gate! It simply takes one feel of the luxurious Cavalero Techno-Suede™ to know you’re dealing with products that are truly sensational. This is a fabric that looks and feels like Grade A suede, yet is washable, breathable, and won’t attract shavings like regular fleece.  When I first saw the Cavalero Techno-Sheet TM in person and was able to feel the quality of the fabric, my first thought was that it was simply too nice to be used on a daily basis.  As excited as I was to get it out to the barn and try it on my horse, I felt the fabric of the sheet couldn't possibly withstand the test of being used on a horse.  I was thrilled with both the fit of the sheet and the fact that although my horse rolled in a freshly bedded stall only minutes after I put the sheet on him, the shavings truly do brush right off.  I use my Cavalero Techno-Sheet TM daily, and it is just as beautiful now as the day I received it.  The wonderfully technical fabric used for the Techno-Sheet works on everything - sheets, pads, jackets, and polos - to wrap the horse and rider in complete functional luxury.

Their passion for the products they offer is evident in the endless attention to detail. A perfect example is the Cavalero “Hanging Around the Stable” Jacket. It fits the female form to make every body type look simply sensational and the jacket not only looks great on, it is very functional. The two-way zipper opens from the bottom to be functional when riding. There are vents on the side to give a little extra room for total comfort. Sleeves are adjustable to allow for the perfect fit no matter what your arm length. A little extra room through the shoulders allows for ease when riding or working. Three zippered pockets and two side pockets finish the amazing number of details on this lightweight, breathable, washable Cavalero Techno-Suede jacket. It is one of the many “must see” items in this line.

The innovation does not end with the Cavalero line.  The Moxie brand, while being both trendy and fun, also boasts functionality and clever design. The light as air “Air-Puff” half chaps and gloves are stylish, comfortable, and durable. Tammy Barber swears, “You’ll forget you have on the chaps, they are so lightweight and comfortable.  You can work all day in the gloves, and your hands will stay nice and dry because of the way the mesh fabric allows air to circulate.”

Moxie takes great pride in their Guardian Boots, which are a fantastic addition to today's market.  Their revolutionary Guardian systems, with detachable fleece inserts or separate Grade A sheepskin inserts, both of which are machine washable, allow the boots to work perfectly in different weather conditions, and also allows for easy care and effortless cleaning.  The Moxie Euro Plast Open Front Boots are really two boots in one package.  Sloppy footing in the ring?  Simply remove the sheepskin inserts and you can ride without fear of ruining your boots.  From flexible PVC boots to Neoprene boots that guard against fraying, splitting or tearing for longer wear, this line of boots perform and give you more for the money.

Betsy Tetterton, a renowned hunter/jumper trainer from R&S Stables in Camden, SC has been road testing Moxie products from the beginning.  "Moxie products have been a wonderful experience," says Betsy.  "The Moxie family wants to put out affordable, innovative, cutting edge products for the everyday horseperson.  These products are workable, easy maintenance, top of the line material, and all about the comfort of horse and rider.  Moxie Equestrian is a breath of fresh air.  Thanks, Moxie."

If you are looking for luxury, comfort, and performance in every item you wear or use, visit www.moxieequestrian.com to find out more details on the full line of Cavalero and Moxie brands.

Equine Comfort also specializes in remodeling antique New England barns, paying special attention to detail work when replicating old Dutch doors and windows to keep the same charm of the original pieces. Equine Comfort is also a great resource for stable products, including hardware, grillwork, and wash stall coverings.

Equine Comfort is available for barn restorations and green projects throughout New England and the Tri-State area, and quality flooring is available for the entire East Coast. They are truly your one stop resource for any and all barn
projects. With their exemplary reputation for personal attention and customer service, the decision to use Equine Comfort will be one you can rest easy with, allowing you to spend more time focusing on why you have that barn in the first place – your horses!

The cold air, busy malls, and colorful lights remind us of that Christmas list we’ve been working on for months. You still need to head to all the usual retailers, but for those of us in the horse industry, we have to add a tack shop to our journey. Yup! We still need to buy gifts for our loved ones in the equine world. Whether it’s your child, spouse, friend or student, it can be the most time consuming and difficult purchase of the season. And you know this year, those little Christmas grooming kits just aren’t going to cut it. That is similar to always getting dad a tie for Father’s Day.