February 10, 2021

The 2021 top 10 equine supplements guide

I recently was asked a bunch on Instagram what supplements I use for my horses. I’ve used a ton over the years, and I started using SmartPaks in 2009 when Tempo was having very bad diarrhea episodes. I tried SmartGut, and things have been fantastic with him ever since.

So, I put together a little guide of my 10 must have supplements (you obviously don’t need to use all 10. SmartPak has a handy wizard for you to answer questions about your horse and determine what’s best for him or her, or you can judge for yourself based on your horse’s needs and your deep knowledge of them!)

Note: I am not a horse nutritionist nor do I have the credentials to comprehensively determine what a horse should be eating diet-wise (I mean, I can give a horse food and know what to feed it, but I’m not nutrition wizard). These supplements are ones that have been tried by me over the many years of me trying supplements, and I’ve found these to be the most important and crucial to my horses’ health.

SmartGI Ultra: SmartGI Ultra is a member of the SmartPak digestive supplement family. I like this one in particular because it pairs the benefits of SmartDigest Ultra with the benefits of SmartGut Ultra aka benefiting the whole digestive system. It’s perfect for horses that are under stress, for whatever reason, have digestive issues, are prone to ulcers, or like my guy, has a wet poop problem. I swear by this supplement for all my horses, and it seriously cured Tempo’s wet diarrhea problem. Another added benefit of the digestive supplements made by SmartPak is $10,000 in colic surgery which you can sign up for, through SmartPak, as long as your horses are on a consistent everyday regimen of one of the supplements containing a “SmartDigest/Gut” supplement.
SmartCombo: SmartCombo is an easy way to get all the most important supplements your horse needs at a discount. I love using this when I know my horse is going to need joint, digestive, hoof, skin, and coat. It comes in different “levels,” such as regular, Ultra, and Ultimate. Obviously the Ultra and Ultimate ones carry the hoof, joint, digestive, skin, and coat supplements that are “Ultra” or “Ultimate” (example: SmartHoof Ultra rather than SmartHoof which is in SmartCombo). An added bonus for this supplement is that you can sign up for SmartPak’s colic insurance, too.
SmartFlex: This supplements comes in a few different levels too, but I believe it to be one of the most imperative supplements you can give your horse. Joint support is so seriously vital to a horse’s well-being, and if your horse is in a strenuous training, riding, or show schedule, he or she would definitely benefit from being a joint supplement. I have always used the SmartPak joint supplements, so I swear by them. But there are other ones out there too that are just as good.
SmartBug-Off Ultra: Okay, this is probably the one that will get the most skepticism, but IT WORKS! I first tried it on Tempo as he was getting extremely sensitive to bugs to where his sheath was red and bloody (and yes, we were fly spraying and applying Swat). I saw SmartBug-Off (there was no Ultra) at the time, and I decided to try it. A few days later, Tempo was all healed up, and the bugs weren’t bothering him as much anymore. If you live in a really buggy area or have a super sensitive horse, I highly recommend this.
SUCCEED: This is another great supplement I’ve used a few times with my horses. SUCCEED is particularly good for digestive support.
Platinum Performance GI: I began using this when Monte was starting to show constant allergies and itchiness. It is a wellness & performance supplement as well as a digestive supplement. The supplement is pretty comprehensive, and it contains everything from omega-3 fatty acids, to antioxidants, vitamins, trace minerals, along with Bio-Sponge®, prebiotics, probiotics and glutamine.
SmartLytes (or SmartSalt): Either of these is super important. Horses need electrolytes no matter what time of the year, and they need salt as well as an essential mineral to their diet. All my horses either get one of these supplements or has a salt lick.
SmartEssentials (along with SmartVite Thrive and SmartVite Thrive Senior): This is a fantastic supplement for horses that may not be getting all the nutrients. Maybe they are on only a handful of grain (or none at all), maybe they don’t have access to great pasture or hay. I have used this supplement in the past and found its been really helpful in keeping my guys healthy and looking their best.
SmartImmune: I like this supplement especially for Tempo, my senior citizen. It has a ton of different ingredients that keep his immune system strong and working properly. It’s also good for horses that are under stress, such as in a rigorous training or showing program or ones that travel a lot in between shows and barns, as stress can affect a horse’s immune system.
Smart & Simple Vitamin E & Selenium: Vitamin E and Selenium are both important vitamins and minerals for a horse to have in his or her diet. These two substances help to strengthen the immune system as well as neutralize free radicals (act as antioxidants, which some say contributes to less disease, like cancer). Vitamin E can be found in grass, but its content goes down once the grass is turned into hay. Additionally, not all horses get enough grass, or any grass, and others don’t get hay that is of good quality. Selenium is available in soil, but it is available in varying levels in different areas of the country, so your horse may not be getting enough. Word of caution: It is possible to get too much Selenium, so consult your vet before utilizing a Selenium supplement.

In fact, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian before using any supplement as it will be something your horse will be ingesting daily, and you want to make sure it won’t interfere with anything, be too much of something, or maybe your vet even has a better suggestion!

Another great tool I love is FeedXL, which allows you to input your horse’s information, their feed, their supplements, their grass/hay intake, and a bunch of other things, and it will tell you approximately how much of each vitamin, mineral, and other essential nutrients your horse is getting.

July 6, 2017

17 things you should be checking out this summer

By Jordan Nassif.

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MILK Face Spray: I was a bit skeptical of this product at first. I went into Sephora looking for an affordable alternative to the Dior primer spray I had been using for a while. There was a representative there at the store who just happened to hear and offered up the $38 Blur Spray. The selling point of their products to buyers is their cruelty-free, pro LGBTQ[IA+] makeup (i.e., If you buy their Glitter Stick online, they will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Transgender Youth Community Center). I was pleased with the product after one use. Not only does it function as a primer, but it also doubles as a setting spray which, like a BB cream, nourishes your skin as it primes.

Le Fash Sunshirts: I recently ordered a Paulo Alto shirt in black and white from Le Fash because of its similarity to the Equiline Catherine shirt without the $198 price tag. The Paulo Alto, while certainly still expensive, is cute and a fabulous take on the classic sunshirt with mesh sleeves (Editor’s Note: The mesh is super durable, so it doesn’t catch on sharp things like other sunshirt mesh.). While it doesn’t boast the “stable to street” versatility that their breeches do, it’s still a nice shirt.

Denim accessories: Although denim shirts and chambray have been making appearances on the runway since 2012, I’ve only begun embracing the trend in the last year. Aquazzura’s denim and crystal Christy flats made their debut in my closet about six months ago, and even with their statement piece status, make regular appearances in my outfits. Valentino, Stella McCartney and other big names have also embraced denim accessories, reinventing the denim bag that Louis Vuitton debuted in the 90s. In equestrian fashion, denim breeches have been around for about 8 years, but only recently have brands been rolling out fresh-takes on the dated denim breech. I decided to give Le Fash’s Uptown/Downtown City Breeches a try (they are based off of denim, as is their Williamsburg City Breech – their newest denim print piece) and was pleased with the breeches’ interchangeableness from street to stable. However,

Christy flats.

the material is a little thin and is not real denim. If you are looking to add a pair of denim breeches to your wardrobe, I suggest looking at Horze breeches. I purchased a pair for around $70 and get compliments on them all the time. And yes, you can wear them outside of the barn.

Longchamp’s S/S 2017 Ready-to-Wear: I only recently discovered that Longchamp sells more than expensive plastic bags, and I waited for weeks for their Spring/Summer 2017 line to go on sale. Longchamp’s clothes and accessories this season are easily recognizable with their bright pink and blue stripes and creamy florals. I ordered these flats to match a salmon-colored wool Gucci blazer.

Lana del Rey: Okay, I’ve been following Lana since her Lizzie Grant days, but to be fair her new music this summer has revived her sad strums of summertime blues out of my car’s speakers. Her new song, Summer Bummer feat. A$AP Rocky, set to be released on June 29th before her new album’s debut in July, has me checking YouTube every day for leaks. Ever since Lana worked with Rocky on her song Ridin’, and the rapper appeared in her National Anthem music video, I have been obsessed with the pairing. Unlike Lana’s previous albums, however, the music this summer is set to be more upbeat with her title track Lust for Life feat. The Weeknd.

Solow Sport clothes: I don’t want this obsession to be misleading— I hate everything about exercise, except the clothes. I love lounging in cute exercise clothes, whether at school or at home. I love the idea of a messy ponytail, sporty Alexander Wang bag and all-white exercise ensemble. Solow combines the comfort of exercise clothes with street style. They are priced around the same as Lulu Lemon but with an edgier look and darker colors. Like most boutique brands, they run about a full size small, so definitely size up. You can also check eBay for discounts and deals. Add a leather moto jacket and a nice pair of tennis shoes to your exercise outfit, and you’ve got an outfit worthy for dinner.

EquiFit leather half pad: I’ve been using EquiFit products for years (girth, boots, pads, etc.), and I’ve owned two or three of their back pads over the course of that time. But every summer I remember how much I love my low-maintenance, clean-looking, extremely helpful half pad. It cleans up with just water, stays clean, protects my horses’ backs and doesn’t look sloppy like some other brands. It’s barely noticeable underneath a saddle.

Blaze Pizza: My mom got a coupon for this pizza place in the mail which promoted $8 pizzas with whatever toppings you can imagine. Each pizza is handmade in front of you according to your specifications (goat cheese, garlic cloves, extra pepperoni and parmesan is my favorite combination), baked for a couple of minutes and served to you. It really is a good deal, and the pizza itself is actually delicious. As it turns out, Blaze Pizza is located all over the country. I was skeptical, but now I know where to go whenever I want a cheap, but good, full meal.

Fruity drinks: I feel like I don’t even have to explain this one. I freakin’ love fruity cocktails in the summertime. My favorite flavor this summer is grapefruit. A vodka grapefruit soda goes perfectly with breakfast, lunch or dinner. (Editor’s Note: Grapefruit does have an adverse reaction with some medications. Make sure to check the interactions with any medications you are on before indulging in grapefruit-based drinks or talk to your doctor.)

Colorful Summer Blazers: Black and grey blazers are so tired. Give your funeral ready-to-wear a break this summer and invest in a few colorful additions. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to invest in a certain part of your work wardrobe it should be in blazers. Add a nautical-pattered blazer with white and blue, like this one from Equipment, or a brightly colored one like my favorite salmon-colored blazer from Gucci. For less expensive options, check out LOFT or J. Crew Factory, which frequently hold major sales events. ‘Wow’ your coworkers with a floral embroidered pink blazer, white silk twill pants and a white button down. Tie it all together with a belt with a small crystal accent and peach-colored shoes. It’s so easy to get creative this summer with just a couple of bright blazers.

Pokemon Go: Yes, to answer your question, I “still play that.” Nothing, not even my own health, has motivated me to get up and go outside like the Pokemon Go app has. And with Niantic’s release of 80 new pocket monsters and Gym raids, there are more reasons than ever to get walking. I have actually stayed in shape because of this little game. And my dog loves going Pokemon-ing with me, too.

Stella McCartney: This could possibly be my favorite brand of all time. Not only is the Stella McCartney brand such a fabulous and youthful 100 percent vegan high-fashion brand, but she also does a collaboration line with Adidas that makes runway-worthy exercise clothes. Stella’s signature chain-lined vegan bags are trendy yet quickly becoming a classic in the same way that Valentino’s Rockstud and Chloe’s Drew purse lines are becoming classics. Stella also brought us the platform oxford tennis shoes this year.

Sleeping: Here is your daily reminder to close your laptop and go take a nap. We often do not get enough sleep during the summertime as fun events and longer daylight keep our minds stimulated way past 9 p.m. If you’re looking to treat yourself to something this summer or want an extra ‘oomph’ for the coming school year consider investing in a new mattress pad or Tempurpedic pillow. After all, if you can’t relax in your own bed then you’re likely to stay tightly wound. I love my white linens and the clean lines in my bedroom which keep the atmosphere crisp and refreshing. Loud colors and patterns in your safe space can sometimes affect your breathing pattern or keep you from relaxing. Consider cleaning up the clutter so you can be prepared for the busier fall and winter seasons.

Brooklyn Edgy with Uptown Chic: RHOBH’s Erica Girardi brought us the chunky Chanel necklaces and Moschino shirt dresses with the classic glam of a pair of Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps this year. My style inspiration this summer is graphic tees and pumps, baggy Wildfox sweaters and classic heels. I love the classy/trashy wardrobe mash-up. First, your outfits double when you mix mediums, and besides that, most of this trashy-chic looks can crossover from daytime to nighttime. Pull a graphic tee from your closet, add a pair of leather pants or black or dark wash jeans and finish the outfit off with a clutch and pair of classic black pumps for an updated chic look.

Bai Water: I have two packs of these (28 ounces each/packs of 12) auto-shipped by Amazon every two weeks. Not only is the autoship convenient, but it holds me to a sort of water schedule to make sure I drink plenty of fluids each day. Bai’s “anti-water” is antioxidant-infused electrolyte water that tastes better than any type of bottled water I’ve ever tried. I keep them on me at the barn, at work, in my bedroom and in the car so that I always stay hydrated.

REVOLVE: It’s no secret that this is my favorite online store. Actually, I do most of my shopping online. Revolve is perhaps the greatest online boutique for someone who likes anything from boho chic to edgy downtown style with brands like For Love and Lemons, Giuseppe Zanotti, WILDFOX, Stuart Weitzman, Fenty by Puma and more. Use the code CANDY to get 10% off of your order, plus 2 day shipping is always free.

Stealing mints at work and bringing them to the barn: I’m not advocating employee theft, but my horses just really like those soft little mints.

All photos courtesy of + property of Jordan Nassif. Do not use without permission.

April 20, 2017

Product Review: B Vertigo Breeches

First day wearing the breeches paired with the Horze short-sleeve show shirt.

First day wearing the breeches paired with the Horze Blaire Short-Sleeve Show shirt.

I’ve always wanted to try a pair of B Vertigo Breeches, but never got the chance – until now.

Horse kindly sent Scope Network members an awesome short sleeve show shirt (It is the Blaire Women’s Show Shirt, and it is super comfy, suitable for shows, flattering, and COOL, which is great for hot summer show days!) [retails for $34.95] as well as a pair of breeches ($179.95).

Horze is a brand I have never tried, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of quality, fit, fashion, look, etc. I was very, very surprised and pleased. Their breeches have become part of my staple in my breech collection – and I have A LOT of breeches!

When mine came in, I was excited to see they were tan. I need more tan breeches, and if they were good quality, they were coming to shows with me. I tried them on, and I immediately felt the benefits. They were stretchy, but not too stretchy which means if you are a size 26R in some other breeches, a size 24R in B Vertigos may fit you. They were not super long on me. They were flattering and fit me super well. In fact, they were so comfy that I kept them on for a few hours after getting them even though I had zero plans to go riding.

Another of the first day they arrived. B Vertigo Breeches + Blaire Short-Sleeve Show Shirt.

I decided to really put these breeches to the test. My first test was wearing them out on a day I would be riding both Luther and Monte (and whoever else my trainer gave me to ride). Why not throw them right into an intense environment? We are in shedding, mud, and dust/dirt season here in the northeast, so this was PERFECT. I believe it rained that day, too. Plus, one minute it’s so hot you’re sweating; the next it’s windy/chilly, and you’re cold. The breeches held up perfectly. There were zero stains, even during the times I forgot and rubbed my hands on them. They also did not stretch out to where I needed to wash them to make them fit me properly again. I got tons of compliments on them from other riders at my barn and my trainer. I wore them 3, yes 3, days in a row to really test them out… and seriously, no problems whatsoever. No saddle stains; no sweat stains; NOTHING.

3 days after consistent riding, sweating, grooming, mud swimming, rainy weather, shedding, dust, etc.

I didn’t wash them when I got home, and I let them sit for a little bit. Two days later, I took them out again for a ride. Stretching? No. Smelly from sitting and not being washed? No. Dirty? No. They looked just like they had when they arrived at my house. I took them for a lesson. This particular day the horses were especially muddy and dirt-covered as it had rained the entire week before AND they were shedding massively. Hair doesn’t cling to them. Dirt doesn’t touch them. Mud doesn’t even phase them.

5 days of no washing. No smelling. No stains, No stretching. They fit and looked like the first day I put them on. I just so happen to be wearing the same socks I was in the same photo – I wash my socks, I swear.

I LOVE these breeches, and I desperately need another pair. I’ve only found one other pair of breeches that stands up to being worn 3 days in a row, ridden in 3 days in a row, and exposed to dirty/mud/sweat/hair 3 days in a row and shows NO signs. These breeches are a must have for your collection, especially if you are looking for a tan pair to show in that won’t stain easily, that won’t stretch, that is flattering and will fit you well, and is just the overall package. In fact, I just bought myself a new pair of B Vertigos; the turquoise Olivia Luxury Women’s Knee Patch pair with Swarovski crystal accents ($179.95).

Treat yo’self… right?

November 11, 2016

Product Review: Kensington Protective Products Roustabout All Purpose Saddle Carry Bag

unnamed-19 I have always been a huge fan of Kensington Protective Products. When I discovered their SmartBlue pattern products at SmartPak, I immediately bought everything I could in that shade for Tempo. He has been using their halters, blankets, and fly mask for years. I also own two of their grooming totes. I originally purchase a SmartBlue one for my grooming tools (and to match Tempo’s brand new equipment), and I recently purchased another one solely for medical supplies. Kensington doesn’t just make the above mentioned items; they also sell other horse-related things such as hay bags, equipment for trail riding, products for dogs, and more.

I was given the opportunity to try the company’s Roustabout All Purpose Saddle Carry Bag ($129.99). It comes in a variety of color options, such as black plaid, plum plaid, mint ice plaid, and SmartPak also has SmartPink, SmartBlue, and SmartPurple.

The saddle bag houses my Butet Premium.

The carry bag has a waterproof outer shell and is super durable, made of 600 denier fabric. It also has mesh that allows air to flow, which prevents mold and mildew from forming on your saddle while it is being stored. Additionally, there is a top storage pocket where you can store your saddle pads. This compartment is coated with antibacterial technology. The carry bag has heavy-duty zippers to make loading and unloading the bag super easy. Finally, the bag has a padded shoulder strap to make carrying it around comfortable and easy.

The saddle bag with my saddle inside.

I was very impressed with how roomy the bag is. It has plenty of room for several saddle pads. You can also store a half pad in the top compartment. The area for the saddle is extremely roomy as well. While I was researching the product for this article, I found out that you can actually fit two saddles in the bag, which is awesome! I only have one saddle that I use, so I haven’t yet had to use it for two saddles, but I definitely love that I would be able to fit two saddles in there if I needed to. The amount of storage this carry bag has makes traveling with tack so much easier, more convenient, and less of a burden, especially when you are packing for an away show, clinic, or some other away event where you’ll need your saddle pads, half pad, and your saddle(s).

Loading the bag was very easy. I had no issues getting my saddle inside. The bag zippers open enough that you can just slide your saddle right in, adjust accordingly, zip it back up, and go on your merry way (or in my case, carry it to the tack room and put it on my saddle rack).

The week after I got the saddle bag, I came down with the flu, so I was unable to get out to the barn for a week. However, I thought that was perfect because I would get to see just how much the saddle bag kept out.

unnamed-18 When I took my saddle out to ride yesterday, I was surprised to see my saddle was still super clean from the previous week. No dust had settled anywhere. The bag truly does keep everything out. Additionally, another plus of this bag is that it covers the entire saddle. My Butet Premium did come with a fleece cover when I purchased it, but it only covers the top and sides of the saddle, leaving the bottom part and the inner part of the flaps exposed. So oftentimes, if I hadn’t used my saddle in a while, the bottom of the saddle would end up attracting dust from sitting in the tack room. I didn’t have any of those problems with this bag. My saddle was pristine and looked like it had just been cleaned, even though it hadn’t been used in a week due to my inability to get to the barn.

I really love this bag, and I’m not the only one. An Instagram follower left this comment on my Instagram post previewing the saddle bag: “I’ve had mine [the cover] for 10 years now[,] and it still looks brand new!! The quality really shows with how long they last[.] And it’s great for when flying to protect your things … [T]hey are so great.”

I will definitely be using this saddle bag all the time from now on – not just for traveling but also for normal storage in my barn’s tack room between rides. I love how clean it keeps my saddle and that I don’t have to worry about mold or mildew forming if there is ever a time my saddle isn’t used for a while. I also love that it is waterproof. I’m not expecting my barn’s tack room to spring a leak anytime soon, but you can never be too prepared!

October 6, 2016

Product Review: Equestrian Weekender Tote

By Senior Editor: Joscelyn Richards

Photo Credit: Georgia Horseback

I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Equestrian Weekender Tote from Georgia Horseback. Immediately I fell in love with the hunter green color and the horse and rider silhouette, complete with red and blue racing stripe accents. The tote bag is big enough to fit everything from your tall boots to an entire weekend’s wardrobe without being bulky (the exact size of the tote bag is 18″ x 26″.)

The Equestrian Weekender tote in real life

Photo Credit: jlrequinephotography

I have used the bag everyday since I received it, and thanks to the water resistant microfiber material it has not gotten dirty at all. The tote has been everywhere with me from the barn, gym and even to school. This weekend I will be taking it to the beach with me! No matter where I go with it I always receive complements on it, from both equestrians and non-equestrians.

Photo Credit: Georgia Horseback

Aside from the beautiful design and durability of the tote, what impressed me the most with this bag, was the attention to detail. The tote has a two-way zipper, a longer strap so it can easily be worn on your shoulder, as well as a brass horse shoe that you can hook your keys to.

The Detachable Pouch with attached mirror

Photo Credit: Georgia Horseback

The tote bag comes with a detachable pouch which easily stores your phone, gloves, mints, etc. There is also a small mirror attached to the pouch, which can be used to check your hairnet or makeup. Additionally included with the tote is a drawstring bag that features the same horse and rider design that is on the tote bag; it is the perfect size to keep your helmet in!

The Drawstring bag that comes with the tote

Photo Credit: Georgia Horseback

The Equestrian Weekender Tote would make a perfect gift for any equestrian- including yourself! Georgia Horseback is currently offering a $10 discount on the tote bag which can be purchased here.