A REFINED PERSPECTIVE
DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WEEKLY
At Outside Rein we are intoxicated by the scent of French leather, the flash of a dappled coat gleaming in the sun, and the clink of champagne flutes during the victory gallop of a close competition. However, the moments for which we truly live are the tranquil ones alone in the stables, horses nickering puffs of fog into the frigid morning, clouds of steam rising from our coffees as the rest of the world sleeps. To choose to be an equestrian is to choose to live a paradoxical lifestyle: 50% glamour, 50% grit. The balance of this has evolved into an aesthetic sensibility that is elegant yet pragmatic, and we strive to express this as we share our beloved products, experiences, and ideas each week.
(#notablog)
Most importantly, those of us who ride are acutely aware of the value of the outside rein: to create balance, connection and feel. At OR we view it as a metaphor for life, and attempt to tackle daily routines, obstacles and relationships through the lessons of horsemanship. And though we cater to those who possess a fondness for the equestrian spirit – we promise – no hoof picks here!
“They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom.”
— Ben Jonson
Latest Posts
Ask The Vet: FastTrack
Accurately diagnosing injuries in horses can be frustrating, since they're often hesitant to let the vet know precisely where it hurts. Still, as frustrating as diagnosis can be, rehabilitation of an injured horse can be even more so. Gingerly trotting a 1200 pound athlete...
Six Rides of a Lifetime (and a few we’ve tested ourselves)
Between the two of us here at Outside Rein, we’ve racked up a lot of airline miles. Hailing from California, we naturally spend a significant portion of our “time off” on the west coast visiting family. However, when vacation calls we often opt for a bit of adventure...
Catch a Buzz: 6 Solutions for Fly Control
True story: One of us walked into a barn recently to find a fellow rider in the tack room fetching flies from midair with a Dirt Devil. “The feed room is next!” she proudly exclaimed. While this creative attempt at fly eradication might result in immediate gratification, it is obviously not practical long-term...
Small Space, Big Taste
We spend a lot of time amongst apartment dwellers in Manhattan (and we’ve done our time in high-rise living). Inevitably, farm life comes up in conversations with said city folk, and while few of them are jealous of bucket scrubbing, stall mucking, and that of which we do not speak...
Footing First: The Low-Down on High-Performing Surfaces
In addition to an extensive grasp of horsemanship, any serious rider can be expected to be aware of two things: first, the weather; and second, the quality of the ground upon which he or she is standing. Any athlete who is familiar with slippery, unforgiving, or uneven terrain knows...
Pumped Up Kicks, Part Three: Ask the Farrier
A few weeks ago, one of the OR geldings had an acute case of sore feet. We quickly called in the big guns, and a combined visit from the vet and farrier inspired a creative set of new shoes that had him on the mend.Those visits also gave rise to our three-part series, "Pumped Up Kicks"...
Hauling Hiccups (The Funny-in-Retrospect Kind)
Hauling horses is not for the faint of heart. Speeding down the highway with one’s most prized and beloved possessions in tow is stressful in and of itself, but when it comes to parking, fueling up, or backing into a tight spot (or worse, out of a tight spot)...
A Refined Pallet: Clever Recycled Wood Projects
At OR we are motivated by the endorphin rush of a home improvement idea that can be successfully tackled on our own. Rather than simply purchase what we desire or hire a pro, we enjoy the humorous mishaps and...
Pumped Up Kicks, Part Two: Ask The Vet
Last week, we shared some of our favorite hoof hacks (a.k.a. products that we use on the OR steeds when their tootsies are a bit tender). As promised, this week we follow up with Part Two of the "Pumped Up Kicks" series. We tapped into the knowledge of long-time OR veterinarian and founder of Grand Prix Equine, Dr. Mark Baus, who gave us the low down on...
Pumped Up Kicks, Part One: DIY
We’ve all heard the old adage, “no hoof, no horse,” and while there are certain breeds that are more prone to sore feet or compromised hoof structure, the concept is universal. Of course, a great farrier is a wonderful way to mitigate issues in the feet, but horses will be horses...
The Stock Industry: Bloopers
We pride ourselves on beautiful imagery at OR. Of course, we want our weekly dispatches to be thoughtful and entertaining, but we also work hard to include a bit of eye candy. We often use photos that we’ve taken ourselves, but for the occasions on which we don’t have an applicable...
Ask The Vet: Gastroenterology with Dr. Amy Polkes
Several months ago, we ran a series called “The Power of Nutrition” in which we discussed basic equine feeding regimens with a nutritionist, explored how carbohydrates affect the equine diet, and “Asked The Vet” about when it might be time to investigate issues...
