Saturday, November 21, 2015

Shiny New

It's that time of year again.

Christmas. 

I like to pretend I'm not a wanty human and reject the notion of the over stigmatized holiday, but let's be real. I like stuff. And things.



 And after all the bills every month have no extra funds left over for fun things. And it seems like everyone else in blogland is getting news things, like saddles and bridles and horses and I'm over here like, "hi. I've had the same tack since I was 11 years old basically."

This year, I have been silently stalking new technologies in addition to normal things like new breeches, helmet and boots. Things I desperately and ACTUALLY need. My boots are on their last leg, and my helmet is about 6 months past the expiration date. I've also taken 3 tumbles with that helmet. Almost useless. I also really could use a new saddle, but that got shoved aside for grad school. Tragically, since I've literally never had the luxury of a saddle that truly fits me. 

However, I can still dream right?


That being said, of course I'm mercilessly window shopping for all the things I cant have and want.

The Bua saddles caught my eye when they first came out. Like most things I stumble upon, it was found on Facebook through a linked article. 

what is this beautiful thing
Looks mighty cool right? 

Then at second glance, you might be like "what am I actually looking at?"

No but really, whats going on here?

Whatever it is, I like it
It is a truly odd invention, but something I could see myself using and benefitting from. 

In case you haven't had the chance to read about it, click here. 

An eventers dream, IMO. Who wouldn't want to use one saddle for all three phases? Granted, I'm wondering how easy interchanging flaps will be, but preliminary reviews I found online states it was relatively easy. 

Personally, I find the saddle attractive in a "it's so ugly it's gorgeous" way. Unique is a great word to describe it. But COLORS. I know some of you are all about color, and I am very into that orange. 

The price too, seemed reasonable, to me, in the terms of fancy new things.. For all the high class saddles available for equestrians bank accounts to cry over, the Bua is relatively 'not horrible'. One CWD can cost more than $1000 more and can "only" be used for one discipline. I'm not a fan of riding dressage in a jump saddle, and will always favor a dressage saddle for dressage work. But that's just me. The Bua can be used for both though!



I am really curious to see the reviews once the saddle gets "out there" and is marketed a little better. For now it's stuck in IRE with limited availability to order from the USA. I'm kind of wanting to get myself on the list. 

Second really neat cool thing I stumbled on is this 

The marketing specifically states "it's not a Fitbit for horses", but really? It tracks heartrate, the amount of times they lay down, sleep, etc....it's a Fitbit for horses.


And I need one. 

Obviously. 

All the initial comments on Facebook are of course attacking the notion of leaving a halter on 24-7. Um. It's leather. And breakaway.  That's a whole mess safer than regular cribbing collars or nylon haters. 

Hell, I kept B in an old leather halter 24/7/365 because he was impossible to catch at first. He survived just fine. 

Also, engraved plates come with it. A tack whores dream. Shiny, and useful! 

They look really smart and I would have no qualms keeping the collar on my precious all the time. 

Also because I'm a nerd, is really intriguing to think about the technology that goes into this type of invention. And I want it. 

Despite seeming a little on the excessive side, horses (and their people) could really benefit from this. More so on the "keeping people sane" side, but nevertheless, a really handy tool.

Auto alerts to your phone, which if you're like me, have on oneself at all times. Especially since the nugget is no longer at my home, 3 seconds from my door, I would find peace in this device. Even more so, for trailering! If you've followed us, you know our issues with the metal horse shredder.  It sounds really silly when I'm typing it out in a blog post...I just want one, OK?

I'm extremely curious to see how much they'll be asking for it, once it releases next year. I feel like they're currently marketing towards the ULR's who travel a ton, and not the lowly plebes like my self. Betting it'll be like $600 and then a $20/month sort of deal to monitor it. Which is insane. If its like $200 and still has a monthly fee I miiiight consider it. Still really cool to think about.

What cool gadgets have you all come across recently that you're dying to get?

7 comments:

  1. I saw that halter yesterday and thought it was such an awesome idea! I'd definitely get one if I was loaded.

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  2. I'd buy one of those saddles if the reviews come in well.

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  3. That saddle is ugly as sin. Not saying I wouldn't own one, but can't stand looking at them. As a rule, I hate interchangeable things. They just never pan out.

    The halter though? It's the OCD horse owner's dream.

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  4. The halter is awesome, although my horse doesn't wear a halter 24/7 and probably wouldn't like to. Still really neat idea. That saddle though.... I've seen it and have serious reservations about a saddle that supposedly can be used for all 3 phases. It's not just the flaps that need to change for it to be suitable for different sports, it's the entire balance point of the saddle. I just don't see how that'd work out very well. It's a similar idea to the WOW saddles, which never seem to look particularly right as far as rider position goes. Watching videos of people riding in the Bua, it doesn't look so great. They look like they're struggling to stay centered.

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  5. love the halter idea (and also have never seen an issue w horses turned out 24/7 in halters and i've worked at multiple barns where that was the common practice)

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  6. That halter is amazing. I think it would turn me more into a crazy person though

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  7. You're not alone on being broke. I'm down to two pairs of jeans that can be worn in public and one pair of shoes that are falling apart and make my arches hurt. I need clothes before I can even think of horse stuff!! :-( The barn building has me totally broke!

    That halter is really cool! Chrome would probably destroy it though...

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