The Horse Diva

Clipping has Commenced, Christmas is Coming!

2011-11-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have had time to post a blog- that's the trouble with horses, you never have enough hours in the day to get everything you want done! Anyway since I last posted on here Barney has taken another serious hair cut and here are the results from his most recent clipping experience...

I normally get him clipped 2-3 times a year but this was the first time in a long while that I had his feathers clipped off. I do love the fully feathered look but I couldn't face another Winter of muddy feathers to clean. Check out those legs- I think he looks quite smart! As you can see from the yard, I think he lost a fair bit of weight with all the hair that came off of him.

So the clipping is completed, the clocks have gone back and I'm struggling to change rugs in the dark - it must be Winter and that means Christmas will soon be upon us (panic!)! At The Horse Diva we have been busy putting together our Christmas Selections and Horsey Stocking Fillers to try and make shopping for your friends at the yard a little easier. Barney will definately be in for a few little extra pressies this Christmas time, what are you going to get your horses and your horsey mates?

Horsey Makeover!

2011-08-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning arrived this Bank Holiday Weekend and as I arrived at the yard I suddenly decided that I couldn't do another winter with full feathers and full on mud! The field had already started to become muddy due to the glorious British Summer Time we have been experiencing (I literally haven't had a week recently when i've not got soaked!) and I just couldnt face another winter of muddy feathers.
So I got Barney in, gave him a big old hay net and three hours later he was transformed! Here are the results.....

And just to prove quite how much hair came off of him, here is the bucket we filled which weighed 4.5kg. He really must be feeling a lot lighter!

Lexi enjoyed her morning at the farm, watching intently what was going on and then making good friends with Barney...

Let me know what you got up to over the Bank Holiday- I love three day weekends! I hope you didn't get caught out in the rain!

Summer Special Offers!

2011-07-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

The summer holidays are here and they are often an expensive time, costing plenty of money to keep the kids entertained. So to celebrate the holidays and to help you out a little we have launched a few summer special offers at The Horse Diva. Here are some of the bargains you can currently get your hands on...but remember when they're gone, they're gone!

Bang on the Door Drawstring Bag- NOW £6.50- great for kiddies swimming stuff, plus a little bag for holidays and days out.

Sponsored by Mum and Dad Horse Riding Shirt- NOW £19.95. Ideal for horse riding lessons, keep children's arms covered whilst they are riding and it will last through to the winter months. Messy Mare Pink Holdall- NOW £24.00 - ideal if you need a handy bag to keep all the kiddies bits and pieces in when you're out and about this summer, or perhaps you need a bag for a surprise weekend away!
For our full range of current special offers, please click here to visit the website!

The Trials and Tribulations of Animal Ownership

2011-07-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

I love owning animals and would never be without them but sometimes they really do cause you a lot of worry. You can go along for years and then boom within a month its one trauma after another. And it seems that this is my month!

It started with the equine in my life getting a mild cough that would come and go as quickly as the sunshine this month! The vet checked everything was okay, putting my mind at rest and significantly lightened my purse with the prescription of ventipulmin. Even on that the cough seems to still occur at weird and wonderful occasions but touch wood it hasn't reappeared it the last few weeks! So one drama over and on to the next...

While family are away on holiday we are looking after their border collie Charlie alongside our 13 week old puppy. However one day in to this stint Charlie came down with a bad stomach bug so we had to keep the dogs seperate, find a willing puppy sitter and live in seperate houses! 10 days later and Charlie is slowly improving.

You'd think that would be enough but this morning I was treated to our puppy Lexi being stung like mad when she jumping into the cut stinging nettles on our walk this morning. Poor thing was beside herself, crying, and inconsolable. I don't think my mum was impressed either when I dropped a manic puppy with her on my way to work. After a fair bit of sobbing and some soothing cream she is back to her normal happy self and we wont be doing that walk for a little while!

So there we have it- My week of animal madness. And to top it off the house bunny Dave has just gone and chewed a hole in the bean bag chair, they are flooding the lounge as I write this....now where's the dustpan?!?!?!

New Arrivals!

2011-07-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

After much contemplation we decided it was time for a new addition to The Horse Diva family. No not another horse but instead a gorgeous cockapoo puppy! She is 11 weeks old today and we've had her 2 weeks. Incase you're wondering "what is a cockapoo?" she's a cross between a cocker spaniel and a miniture poodle. We got her from a wonderful lady about an hour and a half away and puppy's mum was beautiful and very calm. She was one of five puppies that had been handled by children since she was born and she was very placid so we made the decision to get her! After our much anticipated trip to Dublin (to see Take That- how exciting!) we returned home to collect our new bundle of fun. Choosing a name was a bit of a nightmare....one that we could both agree on became a real challenge! After a bit of internet searching we found our name...Lexi. And here she is...

Although she settled in really quickly the trouble really started at nightimes where she cried and cried and after 3 nights I wondered if she (or I) would ever sleep again. However after a few helpful hints from other dog owners we cracked it and on night four it was perfect peace :-)

So after two weeks we are still absolutely loving having little Lexi in our family. We cant imagine ever being without her. She's growing every day and her training exercises are going very well (currently trying to master the stay command!). A week tomorrow we will finally be able to take her out on a walk as her last jab will have taken effect. In the meantime we have been doing lots of practice on the lead in the garden as well as carrying her everywhere so she gets used to different people and surroundings. We've even carried her to the yard over the weekend to introduce her to the horses! So if anyone has any other handy tips for educating puppies please feel free to leave me a comment :-)

Cambridgeshire County Show

2011-06-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I took my first ever visit to Cambridgeshire County Show. This was held at the beautiful Wimpole Home Farm (also worth a visit if you are ever in the area), about 30minutes away from us and an easy drive on a Sunday afternoon. We were expecting a few rain showers so we were pleasantly surprised when a bright and sunny day was upon us. As promised here are a few snaps of the event. However I had another camera disaster! This time the batteries were well and truly charged up, trouble was I left the camera back at home- Whoops! I did manage to get a few of my phone camera so here they are....

The Pony Club were there giving the audience a great display of their skills! The youngest member was only 3 years old and she was sitting on a very gorgeous and well behaved shetland pony!

The Suffolk Punch gave a spectacular display of their strength and beauty...

And who says heavy horses can't do dressage? The below shire is one of the shires from the heavy horses kept at Wimpole Home Farm. This was only his 5th time wearing a saddle but he behaved perfectly. The aim is to use this horse for dressage competitions - I cant wait to meet him at a local show! Looking at the display they put on at the weekend I think he'll do rather well.

Below is a picture of another one of the shires at Wimpole Home Farm...

As you can see from the snaps we weren't the only ones who enjoyed a lovely day out at the show. It was lovely to go to such a busy, fun event and we will certainly be returning next year!

Who doesn't love a Bank Holiday?

2011-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The last couple of months feel like they have been full of bank holidays and I cant say that i'm complaining! This weekend I took advantage of the extra day off work and went along to the fantastic Hertfordshire County Show at the showground in Redbourn. We had a fantastic day (despite a few drops of rain) and I would thoroughly recommend this as a great day out for all. There is plenty to do, see and eat and drink! You can spend hours wandering around the trade stands, watching the show jumping and showing classes and don't forget the amazing Devils Horsemen and Shetland Pony Gold Cup. Don't worry if you're not a horse lover, there is lots to see and do for everyone- wander around the craft tents, shopping marquee, make friends with the farm animals (including the basset hounds) and watch the incredibly fast Flyball Team. Unfortunately my camera battery went dead rather quickly...but I did manage to get few snaps of my lovely day out.

How cute are these lovely shetland pony foals? I am lucky as two foals have been born very close to my house so I love going past them every day watching them have fun in the fields whilst mum watches on in amusement!

One of my favourite heavy horse breeds- The Suffolk Punch. I watched a very impressive display of their skills and power and got to meet them after. Such handsome horses.

So after a great day out at one county show i'm off to another this weekend- The Cambridgeshire County Show at Wimpole Home Farm on Sunday 5th June 2011. I've never attended this one before so i'll let you know how I get on! I may even see some of you there.

Enjoying the Sunshine!

2011-04-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I have been rather lazy with my blog during the past month but instead of sitting at the computer I have been out enjoying the sunshine with my four legged friend! I hope you have all been busy with your horses? Do let me know what you have been up to. Having taken some time off work I set about with my daily horse riding, reschooling my cob, and I have thoroughly enjoyed having much more relaxed time with my horse. It's great to be able to ride so much as work hours and daylight hours tend to clash during the winter! I even tried out a bit of bareback riding...(which didn't come as naturally as it used to let me tell you) but I loved every minute of it.

Having returned to work today it seems like i'm not the only one who's feeling a bit tired after ten days of intense equestrian work. Look who I found having a good old roll around in the sunshine this morning and catching 40 winks in the field. What a cutie.

Now i'm determind to keep up with my new schedule so fingers crossed the nice weather continues. I'm using my new horsey weekly planner to keep track of what we are doing on a daily basis and am looking forward to all the bank holidays this month to enjoy some more time at the yard as well as an Easter weekend trip to Badminton Horse Trials. I might even see some of you there!

Summer Time!

2011-03-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

Summertime is now official here and we are loving the sunshine and lighter evenings. Not only are we brightening up our fashion wardrobes we are also adding a touch more colour to our equestrian fashions! Here are some of our recent additions at The Horse Diva to brighten up your family's horsey wardrobe...

This Purple Rosette Children's Horse Riding Hat Cover is a gorgeous hat cover for any little one who loves a spot of pink and purple. Matching gloves available for your little horse rider.

Or your little one may prefere the Lilac Bows design...

I've certainly been equestrian shopping on more than one occasion and been disappointed at the limited range of adults options in comparison to the fun and funky children's range. But we are thrilled to stock an equally fun range of adults gloves and hat cover options including this Pink Rough Spot design with a fab pom pom on the top of the hat cover! And these funky adults Hoopla Socks are a brilliant addition to our range. Great to wear whilst mucking out, riding, poo picking, grooming, with wellies, riding boots or muckers, (the list goes on!) quite simply these socks look and feel absolutely great!

New Goodies for your Mini Horsey Divas!

2011-03-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

At The Horse Diva we like to provide a fun 'n' funky range goodies for your adult horsey friends as well as your little pony lovers. We love our new additions from Tyrrell Katz and the mini horsey divas in our life love them too!

The horsey beakers and bowls are ideal breakfast sets to encourage your children to sit down and eat up their cereal before school.

Then once they're in the classroom they can impress their friends with the gorgeous horsey pencil case and magnetic notebook.

And if you are rather taken with the range but want something a little bit more grown, why not treat yourself to the NEW Nicky James range. You can kit our your kitchen with the following products.

What have you "bean" doing?!

2011-03-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here at The Horse Diva we search high and low to bring you what we feel are the best horsey gifts on the market! Over the past few weeks we have travelled the country to search for gorgeous new gifts for our girly ranges and we hope you will be pleased with our latest additions. Keep an eye on our NEW products page for new ranges that will be added over the coming weeks. We excitedly received one of our first orders this week and here is a snapshot of the new range....

What have you "bean" doing this week?

My Big Fat Gypsy Cob!

2011-02-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

If you're anything like me you will have been spending your last few Tuesday evenings watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding on Channel 4! If you haven't already seen it i'd really recommend it and you can watch it here. Last night I loved watching the sections about the Appleby Horse Fair- have a look at the website for photos of last years event. Being a heavy horse fan I was rather impressed by the cleanliness of the horses' feather. Having spent the first 5 years of horse ownership clipping the feather of my cob off, a few years back I converted to the full feather look and have stuck with it ever since. I use the favoured pig oil and sulphur to keep them in top nick but they never seem to look glossy and gorgeous! I though i'd share with you a photo of my very own big fat gypsy cob and i'd love to see your own horsey photos if you have any you'd like to share!

Stylish Solutions!

2011-01-31T09:42:00.000-08:00

Well last week I was moaning about the pouring rain and messy mud but since then I have come up with a few fashionable fixes! Although the rain has slowed down a little, the mud seems here to stay and now the heavy rugs are well and truly back out for the freezing temperatures. But not only do we have to worry about keeping our horses warm....what about us? Not only that but when I am dashing down to the yard straight from work I could do with keeping my outfit as clean as possible to prevent a ridiculous amount of weekly washing! This, however, at this time of year, is easier said than done. But this week I treated myself to some fab new socks which have proved not only amazingly warm for my freezing toes but perfect to protect my work trousers. Simply pull them up over your knees and your legs are protected during your chores including mucking out and picking out hooves etc. Now I simply keep them tucked inside my mucker boots in the car, ready to use at short notice. In addition these high vis socks help me keep safe and seen first thing in the morning or last thing at night and are so comfortable to ride in. Put if you're not keen on this design, what about the Hippy Trippy or Just Chillin alternatives?

It's not only my toes that turn to ice at this time of year, it's also my finger tips! But I don't think i've been to the yard once in the past few years without my trusted Showa Nitrile Gloves. I have just purchased some pink ones to match my new socks. These fit so well you can do any chores in them. I literaly never take them off when i'm at the horses. And what's great is not only do they protect your hands from the harsh elements, they are also really good to ride in. And when they get in a right old mess...pop them in the washing machine and they are as good as new!

Yes it may be winter, freezing cold, pouring rain, and the mud is still bad, but a little bit of fashion has put the fun back in to the farm for me! :-)

Mud Mud Not so Glorious Mud!

2011-01-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

The snow has been gone a good few weeks now but the rain has returned and it seems it's here to stay. Back in December we may have all been moaning at smashing the ice buckets, the lack of grazing, the awful driving conditions and the inability to ride our horses but now there is a different problem..MUD! The ongoing rain has taken its toll on the field and i've even lost my wellies a couple of times. Along with that it seems every time i've ridden so far in 2011 i've got totally soaked to the skin. Roll on Summer!

The horses seem to be enjoying the mud, with daily rolls and a few good gallops around the field. Once dry i'm tackling the mud with my faithful grooming brushes. Not sure how I could cope without these....

and i'm keeping them protected from the wind and rain in my weatherproof grooming box....

The weather is uninspiring for taking horsey photos today so I thought i'd post a few slightly more picturesque shots from 2010...at least the snow looked pretty!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

Well fellow Horse Divas it has been a good long while since I wrote a blog but I thought I would start the New Year as I mean to go on :-) . Happy New Year to all of you out there, I hope you celebrated in style. Christmas has now passed and along with it a lot of lovely festivities, and now it seems it is (nearly) time to get back to work. Whilst i'm enjoying a few long country rides during my last few days of holiday I certainly need to wrap up warm! My new Messy Mare Hoodie is certainly doing the trick....

As are my faithful Cool Horse Socks!

So wrap up warm, enjoy the last few days of the holidays, get out there on your horses and have some fun!

The Horse Diva in the Press!

2010-11-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say that here at The Horse Diva we are thrilled to see our gorgeous goodies in this months edition of Horse Magazine! Go out and get your copy and in it you will see some of our hand picked products within Horse Magazine's Christmas Gift Guide. Here is a sneak peak of their recommendations including our Horsey Door Hangers, Pink Lucky Rider goodies and our Horsey Soaps. The magazine is a great read full of horsey chat, news and advice so i'd recommend getting your December copy along with big mug of hot chocolate plus one or two biscuits and enjoy a gorgeous winter evening in front of the fire :-) x

Christmas is coming...!

2010-11-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but occasionally the thought of Christmas can fill me with dread. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the festive period, but the thought of the shopping and general preperations can create a wave of panic inside me! Trying to combine the shopping with a full time job, a horse, a home and holding on to some kind of social life can be a little more than a challenge. And it's not helped by the thousands of people hitting the high street all feeling exactly the same as me. Sometimes you can walk in to a shop and just feel the tension!!! So this year i've decided to try and shop online a lot more, take out the stress and browse the shops from the comfort of my lounge. Of course, an enjoyable shopping experience is what we aim to create at The Horse Diva and we're sure you'll love choosing your favourite pieces as Christmas presents for your horsey mates. If you're looking for a little inspiration, here are a few of our most popular products of the moment!

Pink Lucky Rider Gloves- ideal for pony mad girls!

Paisley Pink Horse Riding Hat Cover- these hat covers are gorgeous and ideal for the fashionable teen or adult

Elico Horse Grooming Box in Purple- great for protecting your brushes through the Winter months.

Pony Wash Bag- the ever popular pony soap range make great stocking fillers for any age

Last Season Air Freshener- a new product that is flying out, innovative and fun (and smells lovely)

We were followers of fashion...Now we're setting the trends!

2010-10-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

As you all know, here at The Horse Diva we firm followers of fashion, both in and out of the saddle. But this week rather than following the fashions, we're setting them! There I was browsing through my latest copy of Heat magazine when I spotted "Trend of the week...Equestrian!". Finally I can wear my jodphurs to the supermarket without my hat on for disguise!!! Both Dior and Hermes catwalk shows have been inspiring the celebs to don the equestrian trend, with Olivia Palermo and Mischa Barton both sporting the look. But the good news is, the look ha hit the high street, making it affordable and accessible! With this look it may only take a few quirky accessories to transform your equestrian wear you've had in the wardrobe (or worn down the farm) for years. Pick up the latest copy of Heat for a bit of inspiration or check out the following links for a few of my personal faves...

Happy Shopping!!

Winter is Arriving...

2010-10-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I certainly feel like Winter is well on it's way. I seem to have gone in to auto hibernation, wrapping up in layers of clothing, hot water bottles at night and enjoying lots of casseroles and cake (any excuse for cake!).

The change in season is also obvious from doing the daily horse routine. When I venture to the yard at 6.15am it's pitch black and it's now a game of hunt the horse! Usually i'll just about work out where he is, walk there and when i'm 2 metres away he'll gallop past me back to the gate to check if i've left him any hay! I'm having a similar problem in the evenings! The horses are also noticing the change in climate. No sooner had I returned from my holiday in Cornwall, that I found a very hairy beast who has thankfully now been smartly clipped.

So the fly fringes have been put away for another year, along with the fly repellant and sun cream and the rugs and winter grooming gear is back out. So here i've put together a few of my winter essentials to ensure we are fully equiped for the cold months ahead:

My lovely pink fleece is great for layering up with a waterproof riding jacket or a padded gilet and I couldn't live without my Equestrian Gloves for the Yard- these gloves protect your finger tips during all your chores on those icy morning.

And my Knightrider Socks are ideal to add to my flourescent gear now the daylight is fading fast.

Plus I don't think i'd ever be able to get my horse fully clean without this equestrian grooming brush- ideal for getting the clumps of dried mud out of various strange places!

A Special Visit

2010-09-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Well I am back from my holidays (hence a break from blogging) and I cant say I am feeling an overwhelming joy at being back! That must be a sign of a great holiday- which it was :-). But before we left, I paid a special visit to the Ada Cole Horse Sanctuary, run by Redwings. I have ridden a few lovely ponies from Ada Cole over the years and I was really pleased to be able to visit the sanctuary to show my support. And what a gorgeous place....I was so impressed. The horses and ponies there are so well looked after, and the grounds and land was amazing. I have to say we did fall in love with a few special ponies, but found it heartbreaking to hear some of their stories. Why not visit the sanctuary yourself and show your support? To find out all about Redwings, and see if there is a sanctuary near to you simply visit their website. In the meantime, here are a few photos I took on my visit...

I'm no expert...

2010-09-14T07:19:00.000-07:00

Having attended Burghley Horse Trials a couple of weeks ago I was feeling a bit deflated that I had not progressed to such a top level or even a competition level within my own riding career! I am more of a happy hacker who loves horses to bits but i''ll fess up now that i'm no expert. I don't come from a horsey family and until I got my own boy I didn't really know many equestrian folk. I wasn't one of those girls out competing on their ponies from a young age...rather I would walk round to the riding school on a weekly basis for my lovely lesson. Having pleaded with my parents for a pony every Christmas and Birthday since I was seven i'm sure they got sick of me but they never gave in. By the time I got to 18 I had saved enough money; the hunt for my own horse began. And what an experience that was...teaching myself the translation of "horse for sale" adverts! Seven years later i've come a long way with my neddy but still have a long way to go. I get a huge sense of pride when he scrubs up nicely and behaves himself...but that's sometimes evened out with the rage I get when he breaks out of the field/ acts like a total rebel.But I shouldn't be deflated. He might not be picture perfect or impecably behaved all the time, but just like me, he's no expert. We're just enjoying learning and improving together. So if you're new to the equestrian field, baffled by the lingo, intimidated by the environment, don't worry. You're not alone and more often than not you really will know as much (if not more) than the person next to you!

Paisley Products!

2010-09-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

We're always looking products with something special about them and this week's new additions do not disappoint! Specially designed for fashionable fillies, these Pink Paisley Products add more than a little style to female riding wear. We love the beautiful detailing in the Pink Paisley Hat Cover and the matching Paisley Gloves complete the gorgeous look. Both products are now available to buy online from our website The Horse Diva .

Burghley Horse Trials 2010

2010-09-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

Every year I look forward to Burghley Horse Trials and this year was no exception. I decided to attend the cross country on Saturday to enjoy the exciting thrills and spills of eventing. Anyone who has attended Burghley Horse Trials will instantly remember the huge amounts of shops there are to peruse! However on arrival we decided to walk the course (there was no way I was going to be able to carry all my shopping around the cross country!). The weather was beautiful and we set off around the course stopping for various food stuffs along the way! If you have never attended, here is a great map of the course to give you an idea of the route. Throughout the day I wanted to get some equestrian action shots but this was a little harder than I first thought! I didn’t have my own camera and the one I borrowed had more than a slight delay...as you can see I did have a little trouble even getting a horse in the shot!
Whoops!Too close!

However my photography skills did start to improve, although it was still safer to try and get a galloping shot!

I really enjoyed being near the start/ finish and seeing the riders ready to go and everyone cooling the horses off once they completed the course.

Here is William Fox-Pitt setting off...

And finishing...And a delighted Mary King completing the course...
After walking the course I moved on to my next favourite past time; shopping! And after a glass or two of Champagne I did get rather carried away. In fact I even had to send my boyfriend back to the car (which he couldn’t find for ages!) with all my bags. Towards the end of the day we saw the very lovely Clare Balding in the Rural Crafts tent and she very kindly signed the wellies my boyfriend bought me for my birthday! I’m not sure if I can wear them now?! Big thanks to Clare for the signature!

I have still yet to find time to watch the television coverage but I have recorded it and I see it is also available on BBC iplayer. If you’ve never attended the event I suggest you watch the footage – it may well inspire you to give it a try next year. Big congratulations to Caroline Powell on her fantastic win! I’m looking forward to watching the winning round this evening. And next year I’ve decided i’m going for two days! There’s just not enough time for me to cram such an amazing event in to one day.

Horses in Fashion

2010-09-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Last week I was sitting working away with GMTV on in the background when I suddenly noticed equestrian fashions in front of my eyes! Feeling a little less than inspired by my current wardrobe I decided to have a little search to see how horses influence the fashion world. At the mo the only equestrian wardrobe influences I can see in my house are a range of hoodies, waterproofs and many warm layers of clothing.

So armed with another excuse to hit the high street, over the bank holiday weekend I kept my eyes open for a few little horse themed treats. Here are a few of my favourites...

Black Horse Cross Body Bag- £25.00 from Miss Selfridge (photo from http://www.misselfridge.com/)

Horse Cameo Ring- £7.50 from Topshop (photo taken from http://www.topshop.com/) All Over Pony Ankle Socks- £3.00 from Topshop (photo taken from http://www.topshop.com/)
Vintage Horse Print Dress-£40.00 from New Look (photo taken from http://www.newlook.com/)

There are plenty more on the high street so why not treat yourself to a little equestrian fashion!

Horsepower

2010-08-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I tuned in to Martin Clunes: Horsepower documentary. I had missed it on Sunday evening due to a night out with the girls but as soon as I sat down Monday I tuned it to my recording to see what I had missed. I was not disappointed; what a great programme. Plus I was thrilled to find out it was a two part documentary...if only it was an ongoing series! It seemed that approximately 4.5million people tuned in and it got me thinking that surely all those people are not equestrian folk?

Today I’ve been reading through the relevant thread on the Horse and Hound forum and like me, many other horse lovers out there absolutely loved Horsepower Part 1 and cannot wait for the next documentary! If you’re part of the Horse and Hound Forum, log in and leave your comments...and if you’re not already a member I’d really recommend you joined the forum- it really is a useful source of knowledge.

So from what I have read, the programme was well received in the equestrian community but what about the rest of the population? Having mooched around the internet for reviews it seems that the programme was fairly well received across the board. This article from the Independent said the programme was “bearable for even the horse indifferent”, suitable for a “general audience” and highlighted my favourite moment featuring Chester (what a gorgeous horse) and Monty Roberts.

Let’s hope next Sunday’s documentary is just as good and these positive reviews encourage broadcasters to increase their equine themed programmes in the future. In the meantime f you’d like some further reading I came across this great Martin Clunes Interview on during my internet travels- enjoy!

What a Weekend!

2010-08-23T00:30:00.001-07:00

Monday morning has arrived, it's back to work and how am I feeling? Exhausted! The sign of a great weekend but probably not the sign of a great week ahead! This weekend I was house and dog sitting for some friends which was fabulous. All weekend the sun was glorious (unlike today) and we spent hours out in the countryside walking the dog, riding the horses and i've even started running again! Being away from home also meant I just left the chores for a weekend and had a mini break- although the overflowing washing basket is haunting me! However all this exercise has clearly caught up with me and this morning I am feeling more than a tad tired, but it seems i'm not the only one...

After a long walk, it's best to take a nap...

While house bunny Dave clearly exhausted himself eating grass outside...

I best try and wake myself up with a cup of coffee a couple of choccy biscuits and wake these two up with well...food should do the trick! Have a great week everyone!

The Horse Diva in the Press...

2010-08-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Before you know it the summer holidays will be over and term term will arrive! Magazines are filling up with the back to school features and we are pleased to see the fabulous Pony Girl Lunch Box and Lunch Bag from The Horse Diva featuring in the "Lunchtime Lovelies" section of the August edition of Cambridgeshire Agenda Magazine.

If you are interested in featuring any of our products in your publication please do contact us info@thehorsediva.co.uk and we will be happy to supply you with high resolution images :-)

Funky Fone Sox at The Horse Diva!

2010-08-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

Well the weekend is nearly here and before I clock off I thought I'd just let you know about my new favourite product...the Funky Fone Sox Horse Silhouette Mobile Phone Sock! It's a little late for my current mobile but this funky fone sock will protect your phone from scratches at the yard! In fact its bright colour will even help you find your phone in the depths of your handbag! A total bargain at £3.95, this makes the perfect treat for yourself or (dare I say it) an ideal stocking filler for Christmas! Grab yours online at The Horse Diva- Available now!

Mini Break!

2010-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Running your own business means its often difficult to take time off but last week we managed to get a mini break to the Lake District (it really was a mini break in my magic mini clubman!). As predicted the weather was typical of The Lakes but it stayed warm through the showers and few rain drops really didn't matter to us!

We stayed in the beautiful town of Ambleside which I would thoroughly recommend to families, couples and all! It was lovely to take a bit of time out and visit some local towns, eat out (a lot), and enjoy some swimming and walking. We were only there for a few days so no time to go for a ride across the fells but we shall definately be returning in the near future! Here's a few snaps of our break away...

Our days away flew by and before I knew it it was time to return to work! However I was thrilled to return to the arrival of some fantastic new equestrian products including the Bentley Lucky Star Grooming Set.

In addition I received some fab new product samples in the post which I am really excited about stocking- i'm keeping it a secret for now but this product is a great stocking filler for all you horse and pony lovers (oh no i'm thinking about Christmas already!!!!).

The Summer Holidays have arrived!

2010-07-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

I think for most of you you'll already be at least two days (if not a week) in to the summer holidays- how is it going? Those of you with children may be wondering how to keep them entertained for the six weeks ahead. Well if you keep horses then you'll know there's always plenty of jobs to do but trying to entertain the children at the same time can be a bit of a challenge. At The Horse Diva we believe in adding a bit of glitter, colour and sparkle to the yard and our younger generation of Horse Divas tend to agree. Brightening up your little one's pony mad wardrobe will perhaps encourage them to head to the yard, meet up with their pony loving friends and take this summer to learn all about horse and pony care in style.

The Beautiful Countryside

2010-07-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

I spend so much time outside at the moment- walking the dog, running from here to there, riding and being with the horses that I sometimes become complacent about the coutryside around me. Well today I had one of those moments when I had to stop, take a breath (yes it was a hot day and I was walking fast but that's not what I mean!) and look at the world around me. I suddenly realised I was walking around the most beautiful countryside, on a glorious sunny afternoon and there was no where else i'd rather be. Luckily with a little technology I was able to capture this moment to share with your all, and I think you'll agree it really is a beautiful spot.

Here's Si with Charlie, full of energy as usual.

Hasn't this horse got a glorious view?!
And another shot of the lavender- you can nearly smell this through the screen!
Well I best dash off, I have the farrier in the morning so I need to cut up some leggings ready to put on B's legs to get the feather out the way and purchase some hoof oil from The Horse Diva ready to apply tomorrow.

Happy Horse Riding!

One of those weeks...

2010-07-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

Is it me or does anyone else have those weeks when you just run out of energy and everything seems a bit too much! In the last few months I had been doing so well schooling my horse, increasing both his and my own fitness and then suddenly I hit a brick wall. Rather than fight it I gave us both a week off to try and recharge the batteries and it seems to have done the trick. After a lazy hack and a good old natter with a friend I was feeling a lot better and B seemed to still be behaving despite his rest. Then this weekend I headed into the field to tackle some schooling thinking everything i'd been working on would have gone out the window. But to my suprise B was excellent and the break seemed to have done him the world of good!

To make up for my recent time out of the saddle I spent nearly all weekend at the yard this weekend (I may as well have camped there)! In addition to horse riding myself I gave my friend a riding lesson. It was great fun and lovely to introduce someone new to the horse world. I did however find it quite difficult to break down all the info as I have never really taught before. For me, riding has become a bit like driving- when you've been doing it long enough it becomes automatic!

As any horse owner will know, there are many other lengthy horsey jobs that come along with owning your own horse. To name but a few I completed the daily field poo pick, topped up the water in the field, groomed the horses, picked out hooves, prepared feeds, applied fly spray and sun cream...need I go on!? For me, some days these chores I seem like a real hassle but I try and brighten daily routines up with my fun and funky equestrian yard products, putting to use my fabulous feeding fit, hoof pick (my fave is the pink and blue) and my Showa equestrian gloves, great for protecting your hands.

With everyone else on the yard away I realised that looking after four horses was pretty much a full time job! In addition I gave B's legs a good old was with the Wahl Tea Tree Horse Shampoo which did a fab job. And was it me or do the flies seem to be getting worse? As well as popping on their fly fringes I have been applying the 2 in 1 Fly Repellent which is great as it works at conditioning their coats as well.

So now another week starts and i'm hoping i'm going to feel a little more energetic...and on that note I best nip off to get a cup of tea and choccy biscuit (or two) to fuel the long day ahead!

Gorgeous Gift Sets!

2010-07-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

It's been so hot on the high street that I for one have not wanted to get out there and browse the shops!! During this heatwave The Horse Diva decided to put together some fabulous gift sets for horse lovers to save you trawling the shops for something a little different. Here are a few of our horsey faves....The Cob Gift Set- £7.00
Great for a heavy horse lover like myself! This is a lovely gift for the horsey home- 100% Cotton Horsey Tea Towel printed on one side with the Corn on the Cob illustrations and the matching Corn on the Cob greetings card. We can send this straight to the recipient, just simply add the message for the greetings card when ordering online!

Groovy Grooming Set- £18.95
Make your horse or pony's daily groom a little more fashionable with this groovy grooming kit featuring the Showa Floreo gloves for the yard and two Bentley Lucky Star Brushes perfect to use all year round.

Pony Girl Lunch Set- £16.00

New pony girl lunch set including the fabulous lunch bag and matching drinks bottle. Great for school lunches, holidays, summer picnics and horsey events!

As you can see we have tried to put together a little something for everyone at a mixture of prices. But if one of these three sets isn't quite right, do not fear, we have plenty more on our gifts sets page..

Press Pages at The Horse Diva!

2010-07-06T01:32:00.000-07:00

At The Horse Diva we are continually working to improve our website and this week I am feeling rather excited as we have launched two new Press Pages.

Here you will find links to our press releases and any press articles that we have been featured in. Feeling inspired by these website alterations I have been working hard on a new press release and I thought you may like a little read...so here it is!

The Wrong Path Leads The Right Way...

I left school at 18, uncertain of what the future held in store for me. Despite achieving good grades throughout secondary school I was questioning the narrow path of attending University that I was rapidly being pushed towards. Through sixth form I watched my friends make plans, visit University cities and talk in depth about which course they so longed for. Yet rarely did I hear a discussion of a chosen career or future job role, and I began to question why University was the only option? What else was outside of the school gates?

With only my part time Saturday job for experience, I didn’t have a clue about career opportunities, yet I soon came to the conclusion that University was not for me. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, where I wanted to be in 10 years time so why should I get in to £10,000’s of debt guessing my future? Horror. That was the external reaction. I was not going to conform or follow the “normal” route....I was going to take my own path, or as others would see it be written off as a failed statistic.

With limited guidance available, I was lucky enough to be able to lean heavily on my family who had forever blessed me with support and encouragement. So off I trundled into the big wide world, sifting through job adverts trying to break down job descriptions into comprehensible language! It wasn’t long and, I suppose I was in the right place at the right time, but I managed to secure a trainee sales position within a local Jewellery Design company and it turned out to be a fantastic job for me. I loved the role, the people, the company and I rapidly learnt an incredible amount and within three years I was managing their new studio in Cambridge. But then within a few more months I decided it was time for a change and I took the brave although some may say stupid??) decision to leave stepping once more into the unknown.

After much trial and error it had dawned on me, I suppose, that I wanted (or needed) to put all my weirdly diverse skills into something that I truly and being young I felt it that it was now or never to give it a go. Taking inspiration from my mum’s own business Garden Divas and my own passions in life, in October 2009 The Horse Diva was born.

I researched the market, sourced my products, designed my website and sent the web designer off with strict instructions! Combining my love of horses, shopping and business, this online horsey boutique is the biggest and best challenge of my life so far. From website alterations to selecting (and trialling) the ranges I love the diversity and complexity of running my own business. Just six months after setting up, it’s very hard work and takes full commitment and dedication plus a lot of self belief and initiative. It’s bright, fresh, informal and friendly- just like any high street shop should be.

The Horse Diva’s vision for the future is to lead the way in innovative online shopping, create the original Horse Diva range and grow a successful business of choice. And now, because it’s relevant, because it’s useful and because I can put it in to practice I am completing my Business Studies Degree through the Open University.

Sometimes, just sometimes, the wrong path is actually the right way.

The Horse Diva

Our World Cup is Over...But Summer is Just Beginning!

2010-06-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

As England got knocked out of the World Cup this weekend I was lying on the sofa just praying the defeat wasn't going to get any more embarassing than it already was. I cant confess to being the biggest footie fan but I do try! Maybe now England are out more people will get outside and enjoy this glorious weather we are currently having. It's a shame I have to work really- it's so sunny I just want to be outside all the time. The good thing is it is light really early morning and until late evening. As a horse owner I love the summer season- everything seems so much easier, I am able to ride a lot more and there is no mud- hurrah! Even though B went straight out and rolled after his bath the other day the dust soon brushed off. I soon forget how long it takes in Winter to get the layers of mud off B, picking mud clumps out of his ears and attempting to clean those huge feathers!

If like me you enjoy riding in the evenings its important to be safe and seen when riding on the roads, especially during peak times when everyone is in a rush to get home from work. A great addition to any horse riding outfit is a pair of Pink Knightrider Adults Knee High Equestrian Socks. These socks look bright and bold and are brilliant to assist in being seen and keeping safe. Knightrider is extra colour to be seen when hacking out. Best combined with a flourescent tabbard and horse accessories. The socks are also perfect to wear with your short horse riding boots if its too hot to wear long boots or even chaps- these are a great, stylish alternative!

And we all know that little ones can be rather stubborn when it comes to choosing what they want to wear! On occasions this can turn in to a bit of a battle. Hopefully this Alfie High Vis Vest will encourage your little horse riders to be safe and seen when out riding. The vest features the cute Alfie logo which is prooving really popular with the younger (and young at heart) horse riders.

Fingers crossed we have this beautiful weather for a little while longer!

Summer Picnics!

2010-06-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

The holidays are fast approaching and luckily this week we are seeing a tad more sunshine hurrah! If you are starting to think about activities for the children during the summer break then why not consider a countryside picnic? We got our picnic table out at the weekend for an event and I realised its barely ever used but is such a nice thing to do with friends and family and it doesn't cost a fortune. You can get the childen to help you prepare a picnic at home and they will love packing their very own lunchbox. If you're little one is pony mad, the new pony girl lunchbox and water bottle at The Horse Diva will go down a treat! You don't need to travel far and its not an expensive activity as you can use whatever food you already have in the fridge. Plus once the summer is over, these are great items for school packed lunches- there is a name tag on the lunchbox and the water bottle fits inside perfectly. These are light and easy for children to carry but a good size to cram full of food for a day out at a horse show or Pony Club event. But remember if its hot and sunny put on some sun cream and reapply it during the day- and if you're horse or pony is anything like mine this may be applicable to him too!

The Equestrian Show Season

2010-06-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

The equestrian show season is upon us and it’s time to get fully kitted out! Here at The Horse Diva we have got our new Show Season range bursting with essentials for your weekends competing.

Keep in style whilst competing and kit yourself out with this fabulous Candy Tie and Pale Pink Show Shirt. The great thing is this show shirt has short sleeves to stop you overheating during the summer months and keep your cool through any stressful times!

We all know that preparation is the key and this is even applicable to the presentation of your horse! Why not begin your horse’s transformation with a good lather using one of the Wahl Horse Shampoos and then get rid of any last minute tangles with the 3 in 1 tangle free mane, tail and coat conditioner.

We don’t want to be negative but with thousands of horse boxes and trailers hitting the roads every weekend, it’s inevitable that a punctured tyre may occur on someone’s journey. Leading automotive aftercare product manufacturer Holt Lloyd helps reduce this worry with its top selling emergency tyre repair product Tyreweld– the ‘Spare Wheel in a Can’.

Tyreweld works by sealing and inflating punctured tyres instantly and enables you to continue your journey safely for a short while enabling you to get to an approved National Tyres branch. So why not add this to your grooming box as an essential item for your travels? Better safe than sorry...and if you’ve got one, hopefully you’ll never need it!

The Horse Diva Family!

2010-06-10T10:22:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

I just wanted to let you know about the new addition to The Horse Diva family who is rather cute and totally adorable! And here he is.....

Dave is an 8 week old Giant French Lop who has been with us for 10 days now. He has settled in really well and has grown no end since he first arrived with us. He seems to currently love being a house rabbit- although the sitting room has had to become rather rabbit friendly so prevent him from chewing absolutely everything (as I sit here now there are cushions preventing him getting to the tv cables and the curtains are tucked up to stop him eating them!). Dave is so friendly and loves watching the tv with us. He is also highly entertaining with his mad bunny jumping and excited sprints around the room!
However Dave is yet to meet my partners dog Charlie...although he's so laid back I don't think Dave is going to be too bothered! Here's Charlie "enjoying" his first ever bath out in the garden a couple of weeks back. Not sure he liked it too much but he certainly smelt a lot better afterwards. We used the fab Dirty Beastie Shampoo on him to give his coat a really good wash with a lovely fresh smell. However it's a shame the sunshine has seemed to dissapear since then. I hope you are all enjoying some time with your animals- may they be horses, dogs, rabbits of otherwise :-)

Here Comes Summer!

2010-05-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend saw the first glimpse of Summer and here's hoping its the start of a lovely sunny season (but with bank holiday weekend coming up i'm not holding my breathe!). We made the most of it at the weekend and headed out for a hack nice and early. When we got back to the yard it was lovely to give the horses a gorgeous bath- Barney thoroughly enjoyed his full on wash and was glowing bright white by the time i'd finished with him! It's always nice to see those feathers sparkling...

With the warmer weather its time to pack up your Winter rugs for another year (perhaps after a thorough wash that is). I had a good old sort out at the yard the weekend and with limited space I bought some of the rugs home and put them in to my Bentley Horse Rug Storage Bag. If you're short on space why not keep your garage neat with one of these bags?

In addition we all know that Summer brings with it many flies and we spend no end on fly repellant! At The Horse Diva we now stock the fab new 2 in 1 fly repellant and skin tonic with neem and Lemon Eucalyptus essential oils. This is great for keeping flies away and keeping your horses coat in fab condition for the show season.

On that note I am heading down to the yard to hack out on this glorious evening. It's great being able to ride before or after work- we love the summer!!!

Have a great bank holiday- i'm off to Hertfordshire County Show- let's hope its a good one!

Badminton Horse Trials

2010-05-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

Well every year I head off to Burghley Horse Trials and with Garden Divas we have even worked the weekend selling our gorgeous goodies at the event! However last Bank Holiday I was faced with the prospect of working all weekend (help!). Suddenly I realised it was the weekend of Badminton Horse Trials and that was it I was straight on the website to find out ticket prices, directions and times etc....

So come Sunday myself and my non horsey partner Simon (who I think only came along as he was heading out with the boys the next day and wanted to keep me sweet ;-) ) ventured off in the absolutely POURING rain!!! As we drove the rain got worse and worse and well quite frankly worse! Panic started to set in as I realised i'd only got a light waterproof and no change of outfit. Two and a half hours later we arrived and followed the twists and turns into the grounds. Mud was visible and with further rain falling I had visions of Burghley 2008 (check out the Garden Divas blog for a photographic explanation haha). No sooner had we got out the car and the rain stopped yippeeee! So off we headed to walk the Cross Country Course which was quite simply fantastic. It’s a fair way round so I had to keep Simon entertained with various food and drink stalls- not a problem for me as I got to sample a few things J. Once we’d walked the course I happily stood and watched Zara Phillips warm up whilst Simon waited for his donuts! Then it was time to hit the shops.... What greater way to spend the day- horses and shopping! I have to say I did come home with a few fabulous purchases but then the day would’ve been wasted if I didn’t. I could have happily spent another day there, we didn’t manage to get all the way round but perhaps that was a good thing- I was rapidly running out of pennies! Here are a few snaps from the day...I think we only actually managed to get five or so photos with the horses actually in (photography is clearly not my forte!). All in all a great day- can’t wait for Burghley now. And who knows, perhaps next year we’ll have a Horse Diva Stall!!!

Fine Feathers!

2010-04-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

Another gorgeous weekend has passed and seeing as though I didn't win on the Grand National it's back to work today!!! However the weekend of sunshine inspired me to get B's feathers clean and here are the results.... what do you think?!

This is the first time I have grown them out so it's all a bit of a learning curve for me but I think they are looking fabulous and are really healthy! It's great now the field is drying out so i'm hoping they will stay a little cleaner than they have in previous months. I initially wet his legs with my fabulous Elico Horse Sponge which really helps you get water right into the feathers and takes half the amount of time! The sponge is also great to get the feather in a big lather! Once thoroughly rinsed with the hose I towel dried them and then used my gorgeous Mane and Tail brush and Horse Mane Comb to comb them out. Once dried they looked like i'd been using a voluming shampoo :-) !!! Last night when I went to get him in I was relieved to see he'd managed to keep them clean all day- hurrah! For daily feather brushing i'd be lost without my Mane and Tail brush which is also very handy for a thick mane and tail like his!

Masterchef Inspiration!

2010-04-08T01:29:00.000-07:00

I have been following Masterchef for the last few weeks and was feeling rather nervous watching the final last night! Big congratulations to the Masterchef champion 2010 Dhruv Baker who has an amazing talent and a huge career in food ahead of him. I have to say I also loved the other two finalists so lets hope they also get to follow their dreams... Reading the news reviews of the final this morning I was rather amused by the fact that Dhruv's toddler son doesn't like his meals!!! You can always rely on children to stop your ego expanding!

If like me, you have been inspired by the scrumptious dishes they created on Masterchef, its time to get in the Kitchen and experiment (though I won't be setting my cooking standards too high)!!! However I will be wearing my pretty pink Messy Mare Kitchen Apron from The Horse Diva to protect my clothing from the anticipated mess. I shall even colour coordinate with the pink egg timer and pink kitchen knife I was given for Easter- can you tell I like pink? To get your own apron and stand out amongst the ingredients simply click here.

Happy Cooking- let me know how you get on :-) !

Congratulations Little Equestrian Winners!

2010-04-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

With the clocks going back all us horsey ladies are rather relieved that the evenings are lighter and longer- far more convenient for us working gals! Now we are not so restricted, it's time to get competing once more. More specifically, if you have a little riding star in your life, The Horse Diva has the perfect gift to congratulate them after their local show or gymkhana!

This Winner Horsey Photoframe is a great gift to inspire your little one to try hard at competing, or as a congratulatory treat on the winning day. It'll look great hanging in a bedroom or even inside the horse lorry. To personalise your frame simply enter a photo and you will complete the perfect winning picture! Now every little eventer can be a winner with this handpainted prize!!!

Marvellous Mugs!!!

2010-03-08T02:55:00.000-08:00

We love this time of year at The Horse Diva as we are busy choosing gorgeous new goodies (which I hope you are all going to LOVE!). This week has seen the arrival of our new collection of mugs- perfect for a cuppa tea, coffee or a tasty hot chocolate. We have a few different designs, so hopefully there is something for everyone! Perhaps if you have a horsey mum, granny or guardian, one of the following may be the ideal gift for Mother's Day...

New Shoes Fine Bone China Mug- £10.50 - Perfect Mother's Day pressie if your horsey mum loves her heels! Caption reads "I really wanted something with a heel."

Last Season Fine Bone China Mug- £10.50 - If your mum is a fashionable lady...why not treat her to breakfast in bed with the compulsory morning cup of tea in this gorgeous mug. Caption reads "this coat is so last season".

Stubbs Mugs- I'd rather be riding - £8.00 If your Mum would rather be riding on Mothering Sunday why not have make her a mug of hot chocolate in this mug when she returns from her morning hack.

I'd rather be mucking out- £8.00- Well to be honest we're not too sure how many mums would rather be mucking out this Mother's Day but you never know! Caption reads "i'd rather be mucking out".

NEW Horse Themed Stationary!

2010-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

At The Horse Diva we always get a little over excited when new products turn up and this week was no exception. And whats more we are even testing these new goodies out in our office (all in the cause of good customer service I assure you :-) ). Here is a sneak peak of our fantastic new collection...

Horses in Rugs A5 Notepad - £4.50. This gorgeous notepad is a lovely little gift for a horse lover- perfect for uni, college, school, work or even your home shopping lists!

Horses in rugs weekly Planner - £5.50. Now the Summer is on its way, it's time to get your horse fit again so why not keep track of your progress with this weekly planner? Alternatively leave in the kitchen to try and coordinate all your family members! A Quiet Hack Sticky Notes -£3.50 Use these sticky notes with the "quiet hack" design to ensure you pass on telephone messages! A Quiet Hack Padblock - £6.00 Perfect to leave by the phone with a handy hole for the pen to slip in to!

What do you want?!

2010-02-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

With BETA International fast approaching, this will be the first time www.thehorsediva.co.uk has visited this particular trade event at the NEC (though we are rather familiar with the Birmingham NEC after getting stuck there last week at Spring Fair!). We are looking to expand our current collections and although we do have plenty of ideas up our sleeves we'd really like to know what our customers would like to see for sale on www.thehorsediva.co.uk.

If you have any ideas- either general or specific products there are plenty of ways you can let us know! Firstly you can contact us via our website simly filling out the following form... http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/contact.php or if you'd prefer you can email us directly info@thehorsediva.co.uk. Alternatively if like us you are a bit of a social networker, find us on twitter or facebook and send us a tweet/ write a comment on our facebook wall!

Follow us on twitter here... http://twitter.com/thehorsediva.

And become a fan of us on facebook here... http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Horse-Diva/470291315108.

We look forward to hearing your suggestions and you joining us in our online networking world :-)

Katie x

Horse Diva on Horse-Riding.Org!

2010-02-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Here at The Horse Diva we always try to get in touch with other horsey organisations and last week was no exception! We are now thrilled to have some of our products listed on the fantastic http://www.horse-riding.org/! The site now features some of the most popular horse diva products we have and of course the full collection is still available at http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/.

http://www.horse-riding.org/ is a great starting point if you are looking for a stables or riding lessons in your area. Perhaps you are just starting to learn to ride or maybe you have moved to a new area, just check out the directories on this site for a place near you! Plus if you're heading out of the Country, the website can even recommend some places to ride in Europe!

In addition if you run a Riding Stables and would like to see it listed on http://www.horse-riding.org/ then please do get in touch with them! Or even if you would like to exchange links with The Horse Diva then simply email us!

The Online Shopping Town

2010-02-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

Now shopping on the net is getting more and more like walking the high street and we love it! With so many internet retailers, when searching online for ideas and inspiration for gifts it's often difficult to know where to start. However the online shopping town has put together a fab collection of online shops that it recommends to friends. The site is easy to navigate and quick to find your way around the specialist cyber "streets". They have spent time finding the UK's best online boutiques and inviting all the best ones to join the town. So when you visit a shop front you can read a little about the retailer and then click straight through to its own website to start shopping! The Horse Diva is thrilled to be a part of the online shopping town, featuring in the Horse Gifts street and gifts for her section! Why not take a look around the shopping town and leave your comments on your favourite steet or shop?! Just like the high street its easy to browse and window shop, yet you can soon search for something specific if you know what you're after!

Happy Shopping you Horsey Divas!

Brighten Your Brushes for £5.50!!!

2010-01-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Get brush beautiful this Winter with the fantastic horse grooming brushes range from The Horse Diva. We have put together a range of gorgeous grooming equipment so you can colour coordinate your of horse's grooming collection. You can pick the exact colour of each brush to you know exactly what you are getting. And what's more you can get a number of brushes for only £5.50each! How would you like a few of these to appear in your grooming kit (all £5.50 each!)

Plus you can add to your collection a coordinating pair of gloves for the yard to leave in your horse's grooming box and use on a daily basis!

FREE Horsey Competition!

2010-01-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say join our mailing list between now and April and you will be in with a chance of winning a gorgeous Bentley Slip Not Grooming Kit!! All you need to do is enter your email address in the box on this page to sign up to The Horse Diva's news and special offers. The winner will be contacted by email the first week of April! Good luck and remember to tell all your horsey friends to enter as well. Even if you already have a grooming kit, this one is great to keep in the included bag for shows, special occasions or use as stylish additions to your existing kit!

Diva Horses!

2010-01-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here at The Horse Diva we love to hear from you all and we were thrilled last week to receive a photo of an absolutely beautiful Diva horse!!!

If you look closely at the photo you can just work out the freezemark which says DIVA! If you have a Diva horse or have had a recent Horsey Diva moment then please do get in touch.... we could even feature you on our blog! Simply email thehorsediva@gmx.com with your stories and photos :-)

Get Horsey Fit in 2010!!!

2010-01-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

Well it’s the start of 2010 and as normal the tv adverts and dvd shelves are packed with celebrity fitness dvds! As tempted as I am to get one due to the sheer volume of Quality Street chocs I ate over Christmas, I know there is a much better way to get fit standing in the stable just down the road :). If like me, you've been unable to ride due to the ice and snow you'll be feeling a little relieved that it now seems to be melting. Riding is a great way to get fit, and it will do your horse a world of good. In addition all the jobs that need doing at the farm will help- mucking out, poo picking, shifting all those hay bales! If you think of it as exercise maybe it won’t seem like such a chore (well thats what i'm trying anyway). But if you don't have a horse don't worry...I'm pretty sure there are plenty of yards and horse owners that would love some help and it would be great experience if you are thinking of getting a horse in the future.
These Pink Knightrider Socks will come in handy if like us you are up the yard in the dark (both morning and night) and along with your fluorescent tabard and horse accessories they'll help drivers see you on the road! Plus they'll keep your feet warm and beautiful :-). So save your pennies on that gym membership, treat yourself to some stylish warm sockies and get horsing about outside!

Gorgeous Grooming for Fashionable Fillies!

2009-12-29T03:21:00.000-08:00

We hope you all had a very Merry Xmas!

The New Year is fast approaching and here at The Horse Diva we find ourselves having a good old sort out (to make way for our fabulous Christmas presents!). We have even been getting a little more organised at the yard! The snow has cleared the horses are back out rolling in the mud and daily grooming is getting longer. However we have some beautiful new grooming brushes to brighten up our grooming kits and assist in getting the horses as clean as possible.

An absolute essential to any grooming kit is a mane and tail brush, brilliant for getting dried mud out of thick manes and tails. This one is great for my coloured cob, I use it on his long feathers and I couldn't live without it!

The Lucky Star Dandy Brush is also perfect for getting dust and dirt off their bodies or to give them a quick brush whilst your changing their rugs.

Finish off with the body brush to give a nice shine to their coat!

Cute Corn on the Cobs!!!

2009-12-21T07:03:00.001-08:00

Here at the Horse Diva we love heavy horses and we are thrilled to now have some fun products perfect for all you cob lovers out there!!! NEW in this week we have the

Corn on the Cob Tea Towel- £5.50

and the coordinating Corn on the Cob Greetings Card- £2.00
Plus here's a little pic of the very special Cob in my life who is currently enjoying some fun in the snow!

Christmas Discount at www.thehorsediva.co.uk

2009-12-14T03:30:00.000-08:00

It's the last week for placing your orders at http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/! And as our Christmas present to our loyal customers you can get 10% OFF any products ordered online. Simply enter "equestriandiva" when asked for a promotional code when ordering- it's as simple as that! If you're stuck for a few horsey presents ideas, here is a little inspiration for you all...

Gone Riding Gift Set

Horse and Rider Hot Drinks Set

Get Green and Clean Horsey Gift Set

Favourite Christmas Gifts at The Horse Diva!

2009-12-08T22:42:00.000-08:00

With Christmas fast approaching products at The Horse Diva are becoming more popular than ever! Here are a few of your favourite items perfect for stocking fillers or gifts on their own...

Adults Knee High Horseshoe and Heart Socks- £6.00

Childrens Riding Gloves - £13.00

Messy Mare Urban Hoodie- £27.00 Horse Soap Bag- £3.50

Horse Wash Tin- £4.50

Remember if you'd like to send your parcel via Royal Mail First Class we'd recommened placing your order as soon as possible to prevent delays in the Christmas rush, but certainly no later than 19th December. But don't panic if you suddenly realise at the last minute you've forgotten someone we can send our goods via courier - just get your order to us by 1pm on the 22nd December!!!

Bionic Equestrian Gloves!

2009-12-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for something a little bit different this Christmas for The Horse Diva in your life, take a look at our ***NEW*** Bionic Equestrian Gloves!Bionic Equestrian Gloves are the only equine glove designed by an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon. These are no ordinary horse riding gloves! They help with hand fatigue, increase gripping power, reduce friction on the ring finger from the reins and are made from top grade, supple goatskin leather with added padding on the palm. Features of the equestrian glove include:

Anatomical relief pads even the surface of the hand to assist with a lighter but more secure grip

Motion zones over the knuckles and web zones between the fingers promote natural movement and help hands breathe

Form fitting neoprene chose supports the wrist and keeps dirt out of the glove

Added padding inside the ring finger prevents friction from the reins

Happy shopping!

New Additions To The Horse Diva

2009-11-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

Here at the Horse Diva we always get excited when new products arrive- and Friday morning was no exception! As we unpacked the boxes all eyes were firmly fixed on the new Messy Mare products- especially this Messy Mare Urban Hoodie in sapphire and grey- what a beautiful colour! They are not just popular with us- sizes medium and large have already sold out over the weekend but do not fear more are on the way so just drop us an email if you'd like one reserved! In addition we love the Pink Messy Mare Cooking Apron. Now the weather is getting colder its great to spend some time being creative in the kitchen and now you can protect your clothes in style.

To see the rest of our fabulous new arrivals, simply click here!

WIN WIN WIN Bentley Deluxe Grooming Set!!!!

2009-11-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

With the mud getting deeper by the day, i'm sure there are many of you who are joining me in the lengthy daily grooming of our beloved horses! Well now is your chance to brighten up your Grooming Box for FREE! The Horse Diva has teamed with Horse and Country TV to give you a chance to win a gorgeous Bentley Slip Not Deluxe Grooming Set in pink and navy.
Inside the set find a deluxe grooming bag with waterproof lining perfect for storing the matching 8 items- Dandy brush, Flick brush, Body brush, Face brush, Sweat scraper, Mane comb, Hoof pick andTail and mane brush (pictured above).
Simply answer one very easy question to be in with a chance of winning. To enter the competition click here! Good luck everyone!

Here comes the rain...

2009-11-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well I woke this morning to the sound of pouring rain outside the window and honestly didn't want to get out of bed. However I dragged my sorry self out from under the duvet and headed to the yard where the field looked dramatically flooded and the horses were not as eager as normal to get out the stables! Plus I know as well as the next person this is not a one off day and Winter has well and truely arrived.

So to help you get through the dark, wet and cold months ahead (we love it really!) here are a few suggestions....

Keep warm this Winter with the Katrine Fleece. Perfect to wear under your waterproof coat out hacking- great fit with long sleeves and it's long in the body.
Orginally designed as an Apres Ski boot, the Snugg will keep your feet warm and dry at the yard or out walking to dog.

Use layers to keep warm - wear these knee high socks under your jodhpurs on those icy mornings

And dont let your hair get ruined...keep it covered from the rain with this Messy Mare Beanie...

And when you're all mucked out, you've finished getting drenched whilst hacking through the bridleways, plus you have a cold face from galloping in the wind...treat yourself to a luxury hot chocolate in your Messy Mare Mug. Bliss.

Horse and Rider Horsey Gifts

2009-11-11T00:12:00.000-08:00

At The Horse Diva, we've just got a fabulous new range in which I cant wait to tell you about! These Horse and Rider Gifts are perfect for the horse lover of any age. The horse print is inspired by the beautiful Shropshire countryside, and it really feels like the illustrations have capture the equine world perfectly.

If you are looking for a few horsey stocking fillers perhaps you could treat your loved one to one of the following gifts....

Pack of 5 handy notelets...

Horse and Rider Bone China Mug...

Horse and Rider Drinks Coaster...
Or if you are frantically searching for a last minute Birthday present, don't worry! We are able to send your present directly to the recipient and can even supply you with a gift wrap and gift card for the perfectly packaged pressie! To see our new gift packaging options simply click here.

The Horse Diva Appears in NagMag!

2009-11-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

Those of you who've popped to a saddlery recently may have already picked up a copy of NagMag- a brilliant free equestrian magazine. The Horse Diva features in the November issue with our Gone Riding Gift Set as a recommended Christmas pressy!

If you'd like to get your hands on one of these gift sets, simply click here!

Horsey Christmas Presents for Under £10.00!

2009-11-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas is fast approaching and at The Horse Diva we aim to make shopping for the horse lover in your life a lot easier! Plus the good news is you don't have to spend a fortune to get something a little bit different... Here are our most popular products of the month, all under £10.00 and available to buy online at http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/.

Horse Wash Tin-- £4.50

This cute tin contains a lilac flannel and a pony shaped soap. A popular gift for all ages.

Stubborn Mules Mousemat – £7.00

A funny gift for any horse lover that uses a PC- perfect for the home or work office. I'm sure a few of us have had a moment or two like this:-The Horse Box Key Ring £3.99

You'll never loose your keys again with this keyring- no more last minute panicks the morning of your Dressage test!

Equisport Horse Riding Gloves- £9.95

Perfect for all your horse related activities- a brilliant practical purchase for the Winter months. Keep your finger warm and your nails clean with these gloves.

In addition, as we are faced with ongoing Royal Mail Industrial action, we are now happy to offer the option of a courier service via APC couriers.

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary!

2009-11-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

During our trip to Norfolk, we set out along the Coastal road to West Runton to visit Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary. It was a beautiful drive and on arrival we were thrilled to find so many rescued animals at the centre. We were greeted by Shires, a Suffolk Punch and two cows in the field next to the car park! The shires were very friendly and came over to say hello, such gentle giants. We also soon fell in love with the miniture shetland ponies which looked even smaller than normal next to the heavy horses! The centre also has a number of other farm animals including pigs, lamas, donkies, rabbits and sheep. It's a great day for the kids but us adults enjoyed it too!!! Having read about so many of the cases, we were again unfortunately upset to see details of so many mistreated animals yet encouraged by the hard work at the Santuary. We had a particular soft spot fot the beautiful Bess who was dozing in her stable in the sunshine whilst waiting for the farrier to see to her. Here she is looking very clean!

In addition it was also great to meet and greet the RDA (Riding for The Disabled) ponies at the centre! If you are ever in the norfolk area I would fully recommened the centre as a great day out for all the family. Please do check their website for opening days and hours.

The Horse Diva Heads to Fakenham Races!

2009-10-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday (23rd October) we were lucky enough to head to Fakenham Races for a fabulous day out! Having arrived just in time for the first 2pm race, I quickly put a bet on, only for the horse to come in 2nd place- why oh why did I not go for an each way bet! Our aim was to win enough money to treat ourselves to a fabulous meal out...but we were left with only enough for a portion of chips by the seaside!!!Despite our bad luck we had a brilliant day, admiring the beautiful horses up close in the paddock. In fact we very nearly came away with our own racehorse when one was being auctioned on the day!!!

I would fully recommened Fakenham Race Course in Norfolk for a great day out. And don't worry if you have never attended the horse races before, it's a great atmosphere with really friendly people. For further information on the next race meeting, take a look at their website http://www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk/.

Trot on in Pink for Breast Cancer Care

2009-10-17T01:37:00.001-07:00

Many of you may already know that October is Breast Cancer Care awareness month. There are many ways in which you can support the cause, perhaps you are getting involved in a fundraising event in your area? You may also be interested to see that there are a wide variety of products available on the high street donating money to the cause. For the full, fabulous, pink collection just click here. The Horse Diva is also a member of a brilliant networking site, www.trotontv.com, a social networking site dedicated to connecting you with other horse enthusiasts. During October Trot on TV is supporting Breast Cancer Care Pink Fridays campaign, getting horse riders across the UK involved with their “Pink my Ride” project! Why not get involved and do some fundraising in your local area, look pretty in pink and have a laugh with your horses and friends!

Stable Fashion Hits the High Street!

2009-10-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Here at The Horse Diva, we’re all about bringing fashion to the farm! After all why should we have to walk down the High Street looking stylish and then put on our drab rags for the yard? However it seems that the fashion designers are currently being influenced by the equine industry (hurrah)! Take your passion for horses into the office with the popular Riding Boot! Retailers including Moda in Pelle and Faith have created a range of styles all inspired by the Riding Boots we wear whilst hacking, schooling and competing! Our personal favourites are these Tally Ho Boots from Red or Dead- great for the office, shopping or a night out but practical enough to keep on if you suddenly have to dash to the yard (no more tottering into the stable in your 3inch heels after a long day at work!)! We think these are brilliant gift idea for the stylish Horse Diva in your life- why not team with our very own Tally Ho Dodo Equine Organiser for the perfect Tally Ho present!

Christmas Gifts For Horse Lovers

2009-10-12T01:50:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Christmas is fast approaching and we are about to start bringing our horses in to keep them warm in the Winter chill (though the weather seems to be unable to make up its mind at the moment!). At The Horse Diva we have put together a collection of Horsey Gift Sets, so there is something special for every Horse Diva out there. Of course you can combine any of our other colour coordinating items but hopefully these suggestions will give you a bit of inspiration! Here are just a few of our favourites...

For Mini Horse Diva, we love the beautiful Carrots UK Hat Covers and Matching Gloves. With the bright, funky girls colours and choice of buttons, logos and embroidered detailing these are now ordinary skull cap covers! Your little one will be the envy of the Pony Club with this matching set. Choice of three colour options- purple, blue and pink. At £24.50 for the set you save £2.50 buying the items together rather than seperately.

For the Teenage Horse Diva we'd recommend the Gone Riding Gift Set combining matching gloves and a fab Gone Riding door hanger sign. When your teenager dashes off to the yard to help out or go for her lesson she can leave the sign on the door so everyone knows where she is. Plus once she gets there her hands will stay warm and these gloves are great for all horse activities- tacking up, riding, mucking out etc. This set is £18.50, save £2.40 buying these gifts together.

For The Horse Diva's work place we've put together the Stubborn Mule Office Set guaranteed bring a smile to your face early Monday morning! Leave the mug at work for your daily hot drinks and the mouse mat will cheer up all that admin you have to do! Both items sport matching comical illustrations and slogan "its not just mules that are stubborn". Only £12.75, save £1.25 buying these gifts together!

Happy horsey shopping!

Katie x

Join The Horse Diva Social Networking...

2009-10-05T05:27:00.001-07:00

Hello!

With Christmas fast approaching (yes it really is only 11 weeks to go!) at The Horse Diva we are putting together some coordinating gift sets to make your Christmas shopping as easy as possible! Plus we are due to launch our fabulous Gorgeous Grooming range this week...some brand new designs coming through which I think you will all love!

To keep up to date with all our news, special offers, promotions and gossip, why not follow or connect with us on one of our favourite social networking sites....

Plus of course if you are a keen blogger, you can follow this very blog!

Website Launched!

2009-09-30T03:41:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Hope you are well!

Just to let you know I have now launched my new website http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/ specialising in gorgeous equestrian gifts and goodies! New products on their way weekly! Lots of ideas for Christmas gifts for horse and pony lovers! Please let me know what you think...

Modelling!

2009-09-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Hope you have had a good weekend.

Seeing as we had such beautiful sunshine in Hertfordshire yesterday, we decided to take advantage of it and take some photos of the horses for my new business venture...all will be revealed in the beginning of October!!! Here are a few shap shots of the horses hard at work!

Having fixed up the stable ready for Winter, we stood (and I sat) on Tina (the Cortina) patiently awaiting the photographer...

The horses looked on bemused as I stood, lay and sat on hay bales...and could not understand why i'd been in the hay barn so long and they hadn't even been given a handful!

After a thorough groom, we began to smarten up our act!

And now for the voluntary group poses....

But after all that we were shattered! Time for an afternoon nap in the Sun! If only we were all so lucky!

Pig Oil and Sulphur!

2009-09-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

Last night I painted on the pig oil and sulphur on to my neds legs to encourage his feathers to grow and keep them healthy. Today i've gone up and they look awful- every time I do it I forget how much the mud sticks to the outside to start with! However it'll all be worth it when they are long and glossy....I just hope they don't get ruined by the mud over the winter....! We shall see. As soon as they look less messy I will get a photo up here! Looking forward to my early morning ride tmrw :-) hope the sun shines xxx
ps- i'm looking for a new grooming box- any recommendations? I have loads of stuff to fit in so it needs to be big!!!

Trip to Burghley Horse Trials!

2009-09-07T03:34:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

We went off to Burghley Horse Trials this weekend on Cross Country day and we had a brilliant time :-) !! The sun was shining and as usual I spent a lot of money. I thought i'd take the camera to try and get a few snaps but I have to admit I missed most of the vital moments! A lot of the photos came out just with the horse landing over the jump or disappearing out of view- haha! Oh well, here are the best ones!This is definately my best action shot...!!

Blog No 1!

2009-09-02T10:08:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! Thought i'd get my blog started with a few happy snaps of my ned!

At the moment I am trying to grow his feathers out- they look a bit muddy on the outside but are bright white underneath! I'm using some fabulous pig oil and sulphur to keep them in good condition and it's really helping. Many thanks to the lovely lady who gave me lots of advice on the horse and hound forum. If you are not registered i'd fully recommend it http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php. Off to Burghley Horse Trials over the weekend- I hope the sun will make an appearance???!!!
Katie xxx

The Horse Diva

Clipping has Commenced, Christmas is Coming!

Horsey Makeover!

Summer Special Offers!

The Trials and Tribulations of Animal Ownership

New Arrivals!

Cambridgeshire County Show

Who doesn't love a Bank Holiday?

Enjoying the Sunshine!

Summer Time!

New Goodies for your Mini Horsey Divas!

What have you "bean" doing?!

My Big Fat Gypsy Cob!

Stylish Solutions!

Mud Mud Not so Glorious Mud!

Happy New Year!

The Horse Diva in the Press!

Christmas is coming...!

We were followers of fashion...Now we're setting the trends!

Winter is Arriving...

A Special Visit

I'm no expert...

Paisley Products!

Burghley Horse Trials 2010

Horses in Fashion

Horsepower

What a Weekend!

The Horse Diva in the Press...

Funky Fone Sox at The Horse Diva!

Mini Break!

The Summer Holidays have arrived!

The Beautiful Countryside

One of those weeks...

Gorgeous Gift Sets!

Press Pages at The Horse Diva!

Our World Cup is Over...But Summer is Just Beginning!

Summer Picnics!

The Equestrian Show Season

The Horse Diva Family!

Here Comes Summer!

Badminton Horse Trials

Fine Feathers!

Masterchef Inspiration!

Congratulations Little Equestrian Winners!

Marvellous Mugs!!!

***NEW*** Horse Themed Stationary!

What do you want?!

Horse Diva on Horse-Riding.Org!

The Online Shopping Town

Brighten Your Brushes for £5.50!!!

FREE Horsey Competition!

Diva Horses!

Get Horsey Fit in 2010!!!

Gorgeous Grooming for Fashionable Fillies!

Cute Corn on the Cobs!!!

Christmas Discount at www.thehorsediva.co.uk

Favourite Christmas Gifts at The Horse Diva!

Bionic Equestrian Gloves!

New Additions To The Horse Diva

WIN WIN WIN Bentley Deluxe Grooming Set!!!!

Here comes the rain...

Horse and Rider Horsey Gifts

The Horse Diva Appears in NagMag!

Horsey Christmas Presents for Under £10.00!

Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary!

The Horse Diva Heads to Fakenham Races!

Trot on in Pink for Breast Cancer Care

Stable Fashion Hits the High Street!

Christmas Gifts For Horse Lovers

Join The Horse Diva Social Networking...

Website Launched!

Modelling!

Pig Oil and Sulphur!

Trip to Burghley Horse Trials!

Blog No 1!

NEW Horse Themed Stationary!