November 26, 2012

Business Trip and Shopping

My boss has sent my coworker and I to a very cool and needed training class this week on the northside of Indianapolis, and though I am no further from the barn than I normally am (only now in the opposite direction), we are staying in a hotel and we took my car and so I am unable to leave the city.  So, Connor is getting a training ride this week.

While I'm gone, I'm expecting a delivery from SmartPak of a new DuraFork head (to replace the one the barn owns that I broke on a rubber mat that was sticking up on Sunday...grr, mats) and a shoulder guard for Connor, because that medium TuffRider blanket is rubbing him like crazy, making a circular line of sticking up hair all around the opening and also rubbing his mane.  Anyone else with a clipped and blanketed horse rely on shoulder guards to keep their horse from going bald through the winter?  I'm not very happy with the quality of the TuffRider medium in general, to be honest, and do not plan on buying it again.  Here's hoping the heavy is better.

Of course, since shipping is $8.95 and I was $20 away from free shipping, I went ahead and added the $30 clearance SmartPak Stable Sheet to my order, which is only still available in his size and in our color, hunter green.  That math and logic checks out, right?  It was fate, right?  I needed that...right?

I am a little embarrassed to admit the number of times SmartPak's gotten me with the $75-for-free-shipping thing.

13 comments:

  1. Definitely fate! :) I hope you at least got some of the "cybermonday" deals!

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  2. No and I am so sad about that, I love a good deal!

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  3. Smartpak always gets me for the free shipping. I just can't pass it up, so I MUST spend at lest $75!

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  4. I think it makes perfect sense to me! I have a smartpak and get free shipping regardless which usually tricks me into buying other things that I don't need...

    Love that sheet. Almost bought one for Hue but debated too long and they didn't have his size left.

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  5. I also have a tuff rider blanket that I haven't been that impressed with. I haven't really had any shoulder rub issues but I think it happens more often with the wide shouldered horses.

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  6. We have Schneider brand blankets and sheets for Riva and Cheers and have not had a problem with rubbing or hair loss. I have lots of other Tuff rider products though - saddle pads, breeches, etc - that have held up well.

    Love that sheet! Connor will look so handsome in it!

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  7. Yeah, I have to agree with Kelly that even though my horse is by no means wide, as a TB he has the sharkfin withers and the Schneider blankets/sheets haven't rubbed Oliver at all in the 2 (going on 3) years we've used them.

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  8. LOL you and me girl! Dang smartpak! :) I almost bought that sheet too :)

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  9. I always fall for the minimum order for free shipping thing too.
    I've often found that one make of rug will suit one horse but not another, and (sorry to be gloomy) shoulder protecters help but not enough... you may have to try different makes, maybe one which you know fits ponies/cobby types.

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  10. I only order from Smartpak if I'm planning on spending $75 anyways. Love that place. :)

    I haven't had TuffRider and I dislike Schneiders. I'd love a Rambo, but am poor. I've had excellent luck with the Amigo line, though. My las tmare was suuuuper picky and her amigo didn't rub even without the shoulder guard. Cuna came to me in a rhino (didn't get to keep it, boo.) That worked awesome for him. Now he's in another amigo and I've had nary a rub. I think shoulder gussets might cause some of the problem? The horsewares line doesn't do gussets and the rubs don't seem to have with anything like the frequency of other brands.

    Good luck!

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  11. Aimee, I am so jealous of the horses I see standing in their Rambos. I may have to look at the Amigos. I think I'm just going to have to buck up and pay the money for a good one next winter.

    To the rest of you: thank you for making me realize that I am not the only one with a "must spend $75 at Smartpak" fetish!!

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  12. On the Amigos... I bought 2 for Houston and they are a bit gappy in the shoulders up top and kinda tight in the chest - he hasn't gotten serious rubs thus far but he did come in soaking wet one day and I havent been brave enough to turn him out in it again if there is a chance of rain. It is brand new! This is its first season. I was super disappointed by that. I plan to save up for Rambo's in the next few years.

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  13. Don't worry they get me all the time with the monthly free shipping with your smartpaks... clever marketing.

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