Week two of the product testing with Dr. Rose's salve has gone well. I've continued to wipe off the areas where the rain rot had set in at least every few days because it can get very dirty. Toward the beginning of the week, I noticed that the area had become smoother and not quite as "chapped" looking. The salve seems to have really soothed the skin on that area. One thing that I noticed, and haven't quite figured out how to deal with, is that the salve never completely dissolves. There is always a little bit of a stickiness on the areas that the salve has been applied to. I've tried wiping the area with wet and dry paper towels, using my fingernail to get some of the goop off and even using a stiff grooming brush (very carefully). I haven't been able to get the area dry yet.

I have agreed to test a product called "Dr. Rose's Remedies" on Dancer because he has had awful rain rot on his hind legs for almost an entire year! I've tried everything: sprays, creams, shampoos, wipes... but nothing has helped. When I heard that this product was all natural, I was very interested. I use many organic and "natural" products at home, so why not use them on my horse too? When I received this product, I was surprised at how small the container was! But, don't let the size fool you! The consistency of the product is a lot like lip balm. And to further that analogy, I was told by the company to use this product on Dancer as often as I would apply lip balm to my lips. I was slightly skeptical about this statement because I'm a little....how do I put this...addicted...to my Burt's Bees lip balm! So, I decided that once a day would be a good amount to start with.

Equestrians have been influencing fashion for centuries, so it comes as no surprise that they continue to influence the world of fashion today. Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection for Hermès in Paris opened with riders and horses in a paddock beneath chandeliers while models strode the runway in equine-inspired leathers and bit accented belts and boots. ( This photo is by Jacques Brinon for the Associated Press) Designers like Ralph Lauren have always tried to infuse equestrian style into their brand with various riding jackets, belts and blouses.

I recently entered a contest in which the challenge was to think from your horse's perspective and write about one adventure you've had with him/her. I entered the story posted below and won! So, I thought I'd share it here too... My horse, Dancer (an Appaloosa gelding) would have many stories to tell! I've had ...him since he was just a foal and we've had countless adventures together! But, if he could tell just one, he would probably want you to sit down, make yourself comfortable, and listen to his story about the time that he played "hide-and-go-seek" with me. (He thinks it's hilarious!) He would probably say something like this: