A Few Of My Favorite Things

“Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up string, these are a few of my favorite things.” I definitely sang that first sentence as I typed it and I am pretty sure you did too. It is one of my favorite songs and fitting for this last post of 2022 where I recap some of my favorite products (for horse and human) that I used this year.

I love trying new products and sharing what I learn along the way which, is how this blog was born. It was a way to combine and catalog my love of horses, writing and trying new things. I tried and used so many things that I love this year but this is my top ten list. Five products for horses and five products for me that I instantly fell in love with, exceeded my expectations and can’t imagine not having.

Hopefully you will find some new favorite things.

Let’s start with my top 5 favorite horse products for 2022.

1. Tangle Teezer: This brush is the ultimate detangler and features 325 two-tiered teeth that flex over tangles and knots. It easily detangles without pulling out any hair and is a must-have when you have horses with long manes. You can also use it to help evenly distribute conditioner throughout a thick mane and tail. I use this every single day and love how it detangles without damaging any hair. I even use it on my dogs to remove tangles and shedding hair.

2. Weaver Smart Cinch: Dreamer is girthy (has been since we bought him and no he doesn’t have ulcers) and this girth has really helped him. He seems to like it better than any others we have tried. This fleece lined girth features an innovative double roller system that rolls your latigo straight and smooth. It gently and easily tightens the girth without putting any crooked, undue pressure. It keeps the cinch tight and in place thru all my rides. It is the only girth I ride in now.

3. Sport Horse Essentials Hoof Oil: I am on my 4th bottle and I love it. It is the only hoof oil I have used that I (and my farrier) noticed what a difference it makes. My horses’ hooves are shinier, healthier, cleaner, smoother and all around better. They get less cracks and chips and their feet look amazing. It is made from natural and non-toxic oils and bacteria-fighting essential oils to improve hooves and fight thrush. It has a permanent place in my wash rack and groom tote.

4. Professional’s Choice Ice Boots: I have tried all the ice boots (from cheap to expensive) and I am not sure why it took me so long to try these. From the moment I velcroed them on I was hooked. They go on easily and fit amazingly, fitting up against the leg perfectly. The ice-cold gel pockets are thick enough to stay very cold yet mold to the leg perfectly without being bulky or slipping down. They have a similar shape, fit and velcro configuration as their popular Sports Medicine Boots. We use these almost every week and ignore all the other brands in the freezer.

5. Absorbine Silver Honey Rapid Wound Repair Ointment: I blogged about the healing benefits of Manuka Honey (you can read it here) and included this product in my post. It is an amazing powerhouse of healing. It combines silver and honey to create a revolutionary product that moisturizes, heals, prevents bacteria and is gentle on the skin. It treats everything from cuts to burns to abrasions to fungus. I use it all my horses’ cuts, scratches and booboos and have even used it to heal hot spots on one of our dogs. Shooter got a nasty puncture wound on his chin and I initially treated it with SSD cream but then switched to this and was shocked at how quickly it began to heal after just a few days of using it. I now keep a full tube at the ready.

I had the hardest time narrowing down this list to just 5 items, beauty products alone could fill all of my top ten favorite items. I love trying new products and have found so many great ones this year, many of which I have posted about. But these 4 beauty items are ones that really blew me away and that I re-purchased as soon as I ran out.

1. Spanx Air Essentials Half Zip: I fell in love with this half-zip way before it was one of Oprah’s favorite things and I can say she has great taste. This light as air half zip is beyond cozy and comfortable. It feels like clouds were woven into fabric. I swore when I bought it, I wouldn’t wear it to the barn but it was too perfect not to wear everyday. It is the perfect layer because it is so soft and light. Do yourself a favor and order one right now!

2. Tower 28 Make Waves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara: This mascara seriously lives up to the hype and I was hooked at first swipe. It makes my thin lashes look long and lush and lasts thru an entire day at the barn with budging or smudging. It washes off easily with soap and water leaving no residue and is also non-toxic.

3. Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lipstick: I am a lipstick aficionado and have a huge collection and these are just way too good to be believed. These luxurious matte lipsticks have a revolutionary saturated technicolor formulation and a rich, velvety, creamy texture. They deliver intense beautiful color that is long-lasting and non-drying. They are exactly everything a lipstick should be. They are so gorgeous to wear that they make me feel like an old-time, glamorous Hollywood starlet. And quite frankly shouldn’t all makeup make you feel that good. Oh and they are horse show approved, staying put through an entire day of showing.

4. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream: I have dry skin and spend a fair amount of time outside and am always on the hunt for the perfect moisturizer. I bought the sample size of this on a whim and was shocked at how soft it made my skin feel. After a few weeks my skin felt and looked amazing, it was dewy, plump and all dryness was gone. It hydrates and plumps with a special blend of Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid, protects against pollution and stress with Japanese purple rice and imparts a dewy glow with botanical extracts.

5. Supergoop Mineral Matte Screen: Daily sunscreen is a must and this one makes it easy. This 100% mineral sunscreen smooths your skin's appearance and minimizes the look of pores, all with broad spectrum SPF 40. It’s creamy, tinted texture goes on super smooth and instantly blends in leaving behind protected, smooth, matte, never greasy or sticky skin. It honestly feels like you aren’t wearing sunscreen and is perfect for long, hot days at the barn. Because it isn’t greasy, dirt and horse hair don’t stick to it and you skin still feels like it can breathe even when sweating. I keep one in my makeup drawer, the barn and my car for touchups.
   

Can’t believe another year has come and gone! Thank You so much for reading One Fine Bay, I can’t believe how much it has grown and I appreciate all of you! Happy New Year!