January Updates!

No matter what I do I never seem to be able to blog as often as I'd like and rather than apologise once again all I will say is that I am a horse owner.  Those of you out there with your own equine friends with require no further explanation.  For the rest of the sane population (and you must be sane as only totally mad people would actually choose this hobby as a way of life!) all I will say is a life with horses is a never ending list of jobs, worry, journeys across the country side in all weathers and all traffic, endless bills, constant checks of the weather forecast and getting drenched an obscene amount of times every week!  However since my last blog (in October, shocking!!!) there has been much activity over at The Horse Diva camp.

Unfortunately my new equine beauty has had a bit of a traumatic time, ending up moving yards twice in order to access other facilities to further his education, que stressed out me and stressed out manic horse!  Unfortunately he didn't settle at all at the initial yard but luckily I soon found the most fantastic new home for us which we both fell in love with instantly.  We are both very happy there and he is progressing well- it was lovely to have more time together to ride and practice over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Horse Diva had an extremely busy Christmas period with orders flying out across the country and Europe, even as far as America.  Late January we are now facing the time of year when we head off to our buying shows across the country to choose the new product lines for Spring and dare I say it next Christmas.  If you have any product requests please do contact us here .  We are now running our sale with some fabulous bargains, with up to 70% discount off products which are selling out fast.

Now as we are half way through January there seems to be one topic that no one can avoid- the snow!  Just as I had started getting Skip fit, he is mid way through what looks like a 2 week break.  It's these weeks when I am jealous of all you people out there with the luxury of an indoor school...if only.  Ah well I think a good lunge line will come in handy when we can get back riding.  Skip doesnt seem to mind too much...he is enjoying rolls in the fresh snow, brrr looks pretty cold to me young man. 

Despite the arctic conditions I hope you are still out enjoying your horses.  If like me, riding is out of the question, use the time to give your horse a bit of pampering in the stable, a good long groom and smarten him up, get him a snack ball to relieve the boredom and try and do a bit of groundwork and a some leg stretches to keep him supple.  That's after you have broken the ice off every water container in sight, spent out a fortune on the extra hay, changed heavy rugs for the tenth time that week and so on.....                

The New Horse Diva Horse!!!

Well its been a long old search, horse hunting up and down the country, struggling to find the perfect partner...but finally he has arrived!!!  Everyone told me he would be worth the wait but at the time I just didn't believe it.  But I can safely say he really has been worth it - the mileage for viewings, the disappointments, the trips to see horses that didnt exist, the failed vettings, the nervous tension, the sleepness nights, the arguments, the petrol, the money spent and oh sooo many tears...(can you tell I hated my 8 months of horse hunting)!!!

The new Horse Diva Horse is the wonderful Irish Sports Horse called Skip.  At just five years old, the 16.1hh beauty has joined me on a quest to learn and improve together and to get out and about competing once again.  With the help of our wonderful instructor, after just two weeks together I can see improvements already.

Here are a few initial snaps of our first two weeks together...I am sure there will be many years and many more photos to come, including a Horse Diva modelling shoot!!!

Congratulations Team GB!!

At The Horse Diva we are still celebrating the amazing success of Team GB at the recent London 2012 Games.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend the athletics, and of course I got well into the spirit of things!!! 

The equestrian team did fantastically and I would have loved to have been there.   However I am so excited to have the opportunity to go to the Paralympics Dressage in a couple of weeks.  I have to admit I spent an awfully long time watching all the fantastic coverage on TV, as well as a ridiculous amount of time in the middle of the night attempting to actually get myself tickets!  A big thank you to my mum who was the successful woman in purchasing my tickets, it was such an amazing experience.

I hope you have all enjoyed the games as much as I have!  I am even more inspired to find my new dressage horse after watching  the amazing Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. Such an inspirational partnership, fantastic music and a tear jerking dressage test!   

It's All Change at The Horse Diva!

Hi Folks,

Well as you may have already noticed there have been a few changes over at The Horse Diva.  We have just undergone a huge website upgrade, making it even easier for you to shop online and find exactly what you are looking for!  Of course every new project has a few teething problems and we are always open to improvements so please let us know if you have any requests or recommendations. 

Having been so busy with sales and promotions we are also rapidly running out of our marketing literature so its time to redesign our popular postcards.  We thought we would give them a bit of a revamp so here is the first rough design.  I am sure there will be plenty of changes before the end results but if you have any fave products you would like to see included do get in contact. 

Lastly, it wouldnt be summer without a good old summer sale at The Horse Diva.  We have slashed the prices of a selection of products for a limited time only so grab a bargain whilst you can! There is up to 60% off in our sale items.   

Hope you are managing to get out and about with your horses and enjoy the sunshine in the countryside.  I am still horse hunting for my new neddy but at least the sun makes a change from trying out new horses in the blowing gales and horrendous rain!!!  

A Good Horsey Read

It's not very often that I get a chance to read so whilst on holiday last week I thought I would take advantage of my chill out time.  Therefore as recommended to me by my riding instructor I ordered the book "Ride with your mind" by Mary Wanless. 

I can't say previously I have ever really been a great fan of horsey books- prefering to learn in a more practical way.  But to my suprise it was a really great read, with practical and helpful tips focusing on how things happen and making the biomechanics of horse riding easy to learn.  It is also really helpful to have the various pitfalls and stumbling blocks highlighted so you can know what to look out for.  The book even has some exercises to do at home to help with your posture in the saddle and its easy to read a chapter at a time or a block if you prefer.   

Inspired by the book, I have continued with my regular lessons and to my surprise this weeks one was slightly less painful!!  I must be getting stronger :-)  I am also really enjoying riding in a treeless saddle now- I am not sure I could ever go back!  For further information on Mary and the Ride with your Mind Approach, why not visit the website.

So whilst I am horseless I am trying to do as much as I can out of the saddle to improve my fitness and posture.  The book introduced me to Equipilates but I have been unable to find a class nearby.  However I did discover a Fab Equipilates Website and I am looking forward to their dvd series!  But until then I have bought myself an Equipilates book so I will let you know how I get on with that...    

Royal Celebrations

With the Jubilee weekend swiftly approaching, why not make the most of the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend with your four legged friends.  This weekend, Royal celebrations will be taking place across the country, with street partys, afternoon teas and many a Royal face mask and union jack bunting being put up near you!  Despite the parties we hope that you will also be dedicating some time to spend with your equine best friend.  As a horse lover herself I am sure the Queen will quite understand the importance of making the most of the time with your lovely horses! 

To ensure you continue the celebrations down at the yard why not liven up your horsey wardrobe with some of very special Horse Diva appropriately themed equestrian wear...

  

If you partake in any special Jubilee celebrations with your horses this weekend then be sure to email us with some photos or post them on our facebook page! Have a great weekend and we look forward to hearing what you have been up to.  The Horse Diva x 

Rain, Rain and More Rain!

Another day at The Horse Diva office and guess what...its raining!  I am sure many of you are feeling exactly the same and there is little point me moaning about it (although I will anyway!).  We are all disappointed not to be visiting Badminton Horse Trials this year and I hope all the traders manage to gain sales from some big online promotions - as a small business we know how much preperation goes into these huge events.  Fingers crossed that the weather starts to improve soon.  I thought the month of May could bring us some sunshine but I am still looking out the window to a grey sky.  At least no one actually needs to use a hosepipe during the current hosepipe ban!!!  The weather hasn't been kind to my horse searching either...I have been repeatedly soaked trying to find a new horse and its even less fun for my partner who's standing on the ground watching getting wet and cold.  I hope everyone is managing to get out riding (or swimming) with their horses.  We thought we'd inspire you to brighten up the grey sky with some of our new bright and beautiful collection:

Bee Happy Horse Riding Hat Cover

Bright Stripe Children's Horse Riding Gloves



 Pony Skipping Rope

 Horse Sparkly Hoof Necklace (who doesnt need a bit of sparkle to cheer yourself up!)

And if all else fails...at least you can carry on your equestrian style in the rain with this horsey umbrella.