Every pony has an inner fashionista….

Every pony has an inner fashionista….
 

A lot of us Moms are on the front lines of teaching our tiny riders the proper care for their ponies. Use this brush first, then that brush, and so on…we also drive home the importance of picking out hooves and taking care to condition them on a regular basis. Sadly, brownish black, bad smelling hoof conditioner isn’t exactly exciting for a young kid who is drawn to color and fun! This got Andrea Wise thinking…what if hoof conditioner could be glamorous and fun?! With the help of her fashion forward mare, Chloe, they put that idea into motion and created Pony Glam.

Pony Glam carries their own clothing line with T-shirts & accessories, as well as their main product and what started Pony Glam, Hoof Hi-Lites.
 

Hoof Hi-Lites is anything but boring. Hoof Hi-Lites is available in 5 strikingly glamorous colors: Posh Purple (which we’re HUGE fans of), Sassy Silver, Bella Blue (My gelding is going to love this), Pucker Up Pink, and Gimme Gold. We have tried other hoof conditioners, some traditional and some not so traditional in the past. Hoof Hi-Lites is on a whole other level of fun! Did I tell you its farrier approved? You heard me right, Hoof Hi-lites is right on point with healthy hoof care. I know this as a fact because my own (very amazing, but also silly) farrier took a sniff, then like any good farrier, he took a taste and said “Yup…this is GOOD hoof conditioner! Seriously, this is good stuff. It’s great that Natalie is excited about it.” In fact he believes it so much he asked how to get some so he could pass it on to other clients he shoes for!
 

As a parent, it has proven to be a great tool to get Natalie excited about proper hoof care. She can’t wait to get to that part of cleaning up Sparkle. She is determined to get all the other colors so she can paint each hoof a different color! It’s fun, it’s glamorous, and it’s teaching my 4 year old daughter to be excited about something that when using “traditional” products can seem boring and mundane…well, not anymore! Thanks Pony Glam!

So here, at The Pink Pony Blog, Natalie, Sparkle and I are all about FUN! Kids don’t want to be serious ALL the time, and neither do their ponies! Part of the fun of riding as a kid is being goofy and having a salon day with your pony and doing their hair, and now…painting their hooves with something HEALTHY! Pony Glam is all about fun. From their hoof dressing to their clothing line…there’s nothing that doesn’t make you think of making your kiddos ride into a major party session!

While Pony Glam carries multiple clothing items and accessories, we have their two top selling t-shirts! Gimme More Pony & Show Pony! These t-shirts are made in the USA by American Apparel and I honestly don’t think I have ever touched anything so soft! Natalie won’t take them off. She wears them to ride, out for social occasions and also…as a nightshirt of course! These t-shirts carry some major pony lovin’ attitude that truly capture the spirit of  our equestrian kids (and Moms, I’ll admit I just placed my order for my OWN Show Pony t-shirt today. We can’t let the kids have ALLLL the fun right? Moms deserve some too!)

You can visit the Pony Glam store at www.PonyGlam.com . Best part about the store? Nothing is over $20.00 (except the sweatshirt), that’s right $20 can buy your glam driven, tiny equestrian her choice of Hoof Hi-Lites or her favorite sassy Pony Glam T-shirt!

On the website you can learn more about Andrea’s divalicious mare, Chloe. Follow Chloe and all her silliness on her very own blog at www.PonyGlam.com/chloeschatter , also on Instagram @PonyGlam, and on Twitter @Pony_Glam. Post a picture to their on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/xoxoPG) and become part of the glam squad or, get spotted out at an event and get caught by their “Pony Paparazzi!” 

Everything Pony Glam does is fun! Go out and get some pony-tude and strut your stuff in Pony Glam!
 

The (very) Enjoyable Equine

The enjoyable equine… no, I’m not talking about your kid’s pony…. I’m talking about the perfect place to order custom accessories FOR your kid’s pony, and yours too!

In our family we have a slight obsession with all things pink, sparkly and animal print. A few weeks back we got a great little package in the mail from Kristyn Snyder and her small business, The Enjoyable Equine. It was stuffed with a saddle pad (that I want for myself), stirrups covers (that I did steal from my daughter for myself!) and the cutest, perfect sized pony polos. The best part? All 3 items are zebra print!

I was so excited to photograph these to show everyone, and I decided to pull out our little, older, bay pony, Gigi, to use as my (uncooperative) photo prop. Gigi no longer is ridden, and hasn’t been since we got her about a year ago as buddy for Natalie’s pony, Sparkle. Let me tell you, she shined in all her zebra gear and seemed to know she looked like hot stuff in her get-up! She wasn’t much for posing nut we got some cute pics in for your viewing pleasure.

Kristyn’s company is focused on safe, custom accessories for your horse and your pony. She currently makes a wide variety of affordable, quality, custom accessories from saddle pads, saddle covers, stirrup covers, and bridle bags to polo wraps and tail bags . Kristyn says she’s always up for a challenge and is happy to attempt to make new custom items for her clients as well, which, here at The Pink Pony, we think just rocks.

 

Kristyn is a 2009 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science, and loves using that knowledge to provide the safest products possible for her clients with their horse’s anatomy in mind. I must say, it’s tough to fit polos perfectly on an itty bitty 10.2 pony, but Kristyn nailed it and they looked perfect on our little cutie, Gigi.

 

A little more about Kristyn. She started her company on her kitchen table and has since moved it down to her basement where it has quickly taken over. She has an APHA gelding, Titan. She still loves to ride, when she can find the time between her full time job, The Enjoyable Equine and running back and fourth to the farm. Why start The Enjoyable Equine? Once Kristyn could no longer keep Titan in her back yard, she had to do what a lot of us have to do, haul tack without getting it all boogered up and ruined. When she started looking around for fun alternatives to the saddle cover etc. available and couldn’t find anything fun enough, she took out a sewing machine her Grandma gave her as a teen and got creative… and so The Enjoyable Equine was born!

 

You can find The Enjoyable Equine on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/theenjoyableequine , on  twitter @theenjoyableequ, Instagram #theenjoyableequine, or her website at http://kristyn6787.wix.com/theenjoyableequine

Stop by and check out all that The Enjoyable Equine has to offer your young rider, their pony, AND your horse!!

Candy striped polos and fanciful full seat breeches...meet Annie's Equestrienne Apparel

Candy striped polos, shim-shimmery tees, Tweetie Bird yellow, Tiff-Annie blue, and Razberry bright pink, full seat kids & adult riding breeches and amazing fun accessories for your little rider (or yourself) and their ponies...who would come up with something so bright and fun? A 7 year old (now 8) rider and her mom, frustrated with the lack of kid-friendly equestrian apparel options.

Shannon and her then 7 year old daughter, Annie, had been shopping for some fun schooling clothes for Annie. Like many of us pony moms, they came up empty handed in the big box stores, but that didn't stop Annie from going home, grabbing a box of crayons and some paper and getting to work! 

Annie rides dressage, so she wanted her riding clothes to be bright, fun AND full seat...something the market didn't offer at all. She drew pictures of exactly what she wanted her riding clothes to be like and gave them to her mom, Shannon. After looking over Annie's design sketches, Shannon could not get out of her head that someone should really make these, so they did.

Annie's Equestrienne Apparel was opened for FUN business in early 2014! That's right they're still in the baby stages?! I can't wait to see the heights of success these two reach in this market!

Annie's is full of imagination.(kid imagination that is!) Their line up includes everything from their "Sticky Buns" full seat breeches, fun riding inspired tops,sparkly hoof dressing, to accessories and doll clothes! 

My daughter has the Razberry and the Tiff-Annie blue sticky buns breeches as well as the Heels Down tee and the Candy Stripe polo.

 The fabric of these breeches is incredible! Soft isn't even a good word! Soft and silky? I don't know what to call it, but the texture is to die for! You need these sticky buns on YOUR buns! 

The shirts are so fun and fashion forward while being totally kid friendly and lesson ready! High quality and the perfect cut for young riders. The shirts are not baggy but not too tight either, and very breathable and easily move with the rider! 

I've said it a million times before and I will say it again. Pony Mama and daughter duos just excite me! Shannon and Annie are so entuned to what kids and parents want in the equestrian market: fun, fashionable, affordable and easy care equestrian style! 

A little bit about this mama-daughter duo: Shannon grew up riding and competing, but has put competing on the back burner as she concentrates on Annie and making sure she has fun riding her pony. The pair frequently go on trail rides together, how fun! Shannon no longer competes, but says she doesn't miss it either, and is enjoying watching her daughter's passion for horses grow! 

Annie spends many days at the barn having pony picnics, playing pony salon and just enjoying her pony, Pepper. She and Pepper are just beginning to compete in dressage shows, however, Shannon says that is not their main focus. She says she wants to encourage Annie's love of horses at a natural pace. "There's plenty of time [for competitions] if that is her choosing." I feel that Shannon's outlook is so refreshing! There's so much pressure as a kid to begin with! Horses are such a great way to get away from the kid pressure and just have fun being a kid with the best furry friend you could ask for: A PONY! 

You can find all of Annie's amazing designs on their website,Facebook,Twitter and Instagram! 

WWW.AnniesUSA.com

Or feel free to email them direct at 

anniesequestrienne@gmail.com

 

The (FUN) schooling tight has finally arrived...

I can’t tell you how in LOVE Natalie is with this next company I’m introducing, truth be told, so am I! If you’re little rider likes to stand out and let everyone (for miles and miles) know how bright and fun they are while riding… then let me introduce you to Amy Waldron and her company Beanysbreeches!!! (Like on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=369425179793272 ,  buy at www.Beanysbreeches.com ) 

 

 

 

Beans is actually Amy’s daughter, Morgan’s (age 15), pony and namesake of Amy’s company! How fun is that?

Amy started her business when she decided she was tired of paying $80.00 for boring beige schooling jods for Morgan, who LOVED being bright and loud. It took a few tries before Amy was able to really perfect her schooling tights, but boy are we glad she stuck it out! Beanysbreeches was born… and pony crazy kids everywhere screamed with joy from the tops of their tiny steeds! Finally, someone gets it. Finally, our little riders have color…LOTS of BRIGHT, FUN, PONYLICIOUS, color!!! (oh, and pony parents rejoiced too… with a price point of $40.00, Beany’s should be in every tiny equestrians closet!)

Lets find out what Beany’s is all about.

 

 

 

 

Amy hand makes every pair of Beany’s custom riding tights. She makes them not only for our little riders, but for their moms too! (can we say matching Beany’s mother daughter photo shoot?! WINNING!) Amy’s schooling tights are made of high quality spandex with a mircrosuede knee patch. Amy is happy to customize your Beany’s to fabric she has in stock, or you’re also welcome to ask for a custom order, which is great for those of us participation in 3 day eventing and jumpers to really showcase our colors!

Amy says that she didn’t start out as a sewer, but with the cost of riding, and being a single mother, she felt like she could make Morgan’s riding tights and save some money in the process. At first it was a little bumpy. Amy recalls at one point sewing the legs together by accident and watching as Morgan tried to get them on to no avail, and them both just winding up laughing hysterically! Just as in all things, practice made perfect, and soon she found herself not only supplying Morgan’s riding pants, but her  daughter’s friends’ riding apparel as well…and Beany’s took off from there.

 

Natalie has 2 (soon to be 3) pairs of Beany’s and let me tell you, She wants to wear them everywhere! Beany’s to school, Beany’s to bed and of course, Beany’s in the saddle, which speaks volumes for kid tested comfort! From a mom’s perspective, you couldn’t ask for a better wearing quality. Easy to wash, no fading or pilling, seem to actually repel stains, and come out of the wash looking brand new every time! The durability in these crazy fun tights is off the charts… value is sewn right in!

A little more about Amy: Amy works a “regular” 40 hour a week job as well as running Beanysbreeches in between barn time with Morgan. She also helps out at the barn where they board Beans to help keep his board affordable. This rockin’ small business pony momma is on the go all the time… sound familiar? Amy grew up with non-horse parents, but her first horse was in her teen years, and was an off the track thoroughbred. Her Father built her a barn for her 16^th birthday! (best birthday gift ever!!!) When Amy was a teen, she says her and some friends treated their horses like bikes, taking them downtown in their small town of Suffield Connecticut, to get ice cream. She doesn’t get to ride as often as she’d like these days, but occasionally hops on a friend’s horse to take a ride. Amy enjoys watching Morgan and Beans in their daily practice. Amy also loves being ‘THAT’ show mom, you know the one, fly spray hanging from her belt loops, snot rag in hand and ready to fetch water or that forgotten number, or  whatever her pony princess and noble steed could need, and she loves being able to do it.

As many of the small business pony mamas I do features on, when asked what is her favorite part about owning her small business, Amy’s reply: “seeing how happy kids are when they get a new pair of Beanysbreeches.” I can attest that it is a VERY happy & excited face! Amy also loves finding new prints and being able to use them in new fun, crazy designs! Amy prides herself on being affordable for every pony parent (thank the pony gods). She has said that the worst feeling is seeing your child want something so badly and knowing you’ll have to say no because it’s unaffordable, and with Amy being a single parent, she has had to say no more times than she would have liked. She knew when she decided to start Beany’s she wanted to make it so that every parent could say “YES!” and be able to see that excitement in their little riders face when they chose their pair of Beany’s.

Amy’s 15 year old daughter has been a big part of her inspiration. Morgan began riding at a very young age, before she even turned 5. Her love of horses has grown steadily since and her world revolves around her beloved pony, Beans. A gorgeous bay pony with a heart of gold. Morgan loves what her mom does, and has her own inspirations for Beanybreeches. Her favorite musician is Miranda Lambert, whom also is a horse crazy lady herself. Morgan is hoping to meet Miranda when she comes to Hartford in August, for two reasons 1) She’s Morgan’s favorite musician and the second one brings Beany’s into play, 2) She wants to meet Miranda so she can give her a pair of her mom’s custom made Beanysbreeches hoping that Miranda will carry them in her store, Pink Pistol! I’d say this teen not only has ponies in her blood, but also big dreams for Beanysbreeches, and here at The Pink Pony, we couldn’t be more excited to write about such a business minded, driven young rider! #teambeanysbreeches #pinkpistolperfection

Beany’s is such a bright spot entering the Children’s custom equine apparel market. I don’t think you find a more kid friendly riding tight on the market right now, and trust me, we have been through them all! The fact that they come in so many fun and bright patterns is just so special…I think it’s important to allow our kids to let their personalities show through in their schooling apparel! They’ll spend enough time in proper attire in the show ring. When our young equestrians are at home schooling hard, dreaming of their next achievement, and working vigorously with a love of their sport, they deserve to have something, like Beanysbreeches. These breeches are fun, bright and inspiring. Bennysbreeches allow our young riders the chance to outwardly show how they feel inside – royally ponylicious!

Go over and check out Beanysbreeches and say Hi to Amy!

Her website is www.Beanysbreeches.com. You can also find Amy on etsy.com and Facebook by simply searching Beanysbreeches. Head over and like them on Facebook so you don’t miss out on all the Beany’s news! Now, keep calm, trot on, put some Beany’s on!

-The Pink Pony Mom

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Sneeeaaaaaaak Peek!

We LOVE when the mailman brings us goodies from our small business pony mamas! You know what that means? NEW FEATURE coming your way this week...a company you won't want to miss (not that you could miss them with the crazy,bright,FUN colors all her

gear sports!) #staytuned #specialfeature #smallbusinessponymama

Custom fly bonnets, coolers and quarter sheets?! Oh my...oh wait...and there's more?!

Today's small business feature is on a small business mama that I stumbled upon while looking for a fun little pony princess worthy cooler... I had been searching for a few days online and of course all I found was blah, blah boring blue and green! Girls just want to have a little fun, right?! I was frustrated because, well, where on earth was all the FUN?!

My answer came in the form of Heather  Antonacci and her small business, Heatherwear. I sent her a message on Facebook and said "any chance you could make a super fun cooler for a small pony?" Turns out, Heather can't refuse a "can you make..." And within a few days I had this gorgeous custom, kitty-cat printed,silver sparkly piped, kid friendly, pony cooler with matching helmet cover on my front steps! 

Our pony has never looked cuter than she does in this custom cooler from Heatherwear! Since then, we have purchased two zebra helmet covers (a pink one for Natalie and a purple one for me. Our boarders think they are hilarious!) and Heather just sent us this awesome pinkalicious, itsy bitsy, pony bonnet, complete with Sparkle's name embroidered on it! We LOVE Heatherwear! 

Turns out she makes much more than just fly bonnets, coolers,quarter sheets and helmet covers. She also makes western pleasure show shirts, you know the glitzy kind that cost as much as $2000.00, that is, unless you get that amazing glittery masterpiece from Heatherwear, then it's literally a quarter of the cost!  

Heather loves a challenge from her customers! Like a custom bonnet to turn a little princess's pony into a unicorn via one of her fly bonnets, or the warmblood with HUGE ears, or even a very special ponylicious pony that was missing one ear! She can customize her fly bonnets to  match whatever your little pony princess's favorite colors are...or your pony's special needs! 

Heather loves to get notes from customers asking if she can make something special, even if she hasn't made it before! She loves the challenge and is happy to rise to the occasion on any challenge! So challenge her! You will not be disappointed! Everything she makes has quality to last for years and eye catching fun to make people take a double take as your little rider trots on by!

 

A little more about Heather & Heatherwear: Heather started her business many years ago when her and her daughter were competing in AQHA western pleasure. Her daughter was looking at all the sparkly glitzy show shirts and gave Heather her first challenge, "Mom, I bet you can make that!" She did make that show shirt and many, many more. Then came her daughter's challenge of a fly bonnet for a large eared warmblood...and Heatherwear was born. 

She has expanded into coolers,quarter sheets, fun helmet covers that keep you cozy and stylish in the winter...and pretty much anything that you can think up that requires sewing! 

Heather still competes her horses. She no longer shows western pleasure, but has moved onto AQHA reining and ranch pleasure. Heather owns a farm called Equus Springs Farm (equusspringsfarm.org) where she breeds,trains and does some out-of-pocket rescue work. Heather is thankful that her small business allows her to work around her schedule and let her days flow easier. She said her favorite thing about her business is being challenged by her customers and watching those challenges or custom orders turn into works of art! 

So if you're looking for the perfect pony cooler,bonnet,quarter sheet, helmet cover, show shirt...ok, custom anything you can think up, contact Heather and give her a challenge! You will be happy you did! Ponylicious, pony princess & mother approved! 

You can find Heatherwear on Facebook,Etsy (see link below) or shoot her an email with your custom order! 

Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeatherWearHorse

Email:

equusspringsfarm@gmail.com

-Peace,Love & Ponies

The Pink Pony Mom

So your little princess wants show bows...

My first small business feature is on a pony loving,horse back riding, home schooling, small business owning, Mama who is just a lovely person, and a fantastic business owner! Let's check out her goods! 

So you're looking for show bows? There are about a gazillion different companies to choose from! How do you know which to go with? I was in the same place. I was overwhelmed with options but ended up ordering from a few different companies, and while all were cute...one company truly stood out amongst the rest! Drum roll please....

Let me introduce you to Mary Beth Gentry and her amazing company Bows To The Shows! 

Mary Beth started making bows for her daughter about 15 years ago, but truly got serious about her business 3 years ago after years of people wanting to know where her daughter's bows were from and how they could get their hands on their own set! 

Her bows can be customized to match any show outfit or riding apparel your daughter might have. (Or school outfit, my little rider loves to wear hers to school as well.) On each set of bows is something super special...a small 4 leaf clover for good luck!  In my opinion, the only luck you need is her bows. It's something so small that just goes above and beyond in my eyes and the kids love it!

She also sells custom belts. We have one and it is awesome! Both the belts and the bows are so customizable that you can get your little rider's name, initials, pony's name, or barn logo put right on the ribbon! It's these little details that really stand out! 

All these amazing bows and belts customized to perfection will leave you wanting more (trust me!), so Mary Beth  makes incredible custom hand painted stall signs, baby pads & polo wraps to fulfill our little riders' need for bright,fun, ponylicious accessories! You can get a whole coordinating set! Your little rider will stand out everywhere she goes when sporting her Bows To The Shows accessories. I guarantee it will make her the talk of the show! 

What's the scoop on this small business pony mama? Here's a little about Mary Beth. Her daughter shows on a regular basis and is home schooled by Mary Beth. Her daughter helps with all their ponies and any other help that's needed around the farm. One of my favorite parts is that her daughter is starting to help her make the polos! (Hello, mother-daughter duo amazingness!) Absolutely love that! Mary Beth also rides ponies with her daughter! (I look forward to someday being able to do that myself! How awesome!) While Mary Beth no longer shows, her daughter certainly does! Mary Beth rarely takes her business to the shows because she wants her sole focus to be on her daughter, she instead focuses her business online! 

A fun fact about Mary Beth is she says that she may have a ribbon obsession! She says it's hard when she sees new really fun ribbon not to just immediately buy it all! I asked what her favorite part about her business was? She answered  "My favorite part of having this small business is all my wonderful customers! They send me some of the best photos. I love seeing the happy faces of all the kids wearing my bows, baby pads & polo wraps!" 

I just cannot say enough about Mary Beth and how customer focused she is! Bows To The Shows is always excited and willing to help you create the perfect custom accessories for your young rider! You will never be anything but ecstatic with what you purchase from this small business mama!!!

Go check her out! Her prices range between $25-$40.00! Customization that is affordable, bright and fun for all of our little pony princesses!

www.bowstotheshows.com

You can also search for Bows To The Shows on Facebook and Etsy! 

Thank you for checking out the blog, now go check out Bows To The Shows and start customizing!!! 

Stay tuned for my next small business feature coming soon! 

~ The Pink Pony Mom