Looking great whether you are showing or simply hacking isn’t just for the ladies anymore–menswear is rapidly becoming a hot new trend in Equestrian sport! From comfortable, well-fitting riding breeches in a wide variety of colors and fabrics to stylish polo shirts, more and more options are out there for the male equestrian.
Olson's Tack Blog
Menswear is Making a Splash in Equestrian Sport!
June 27, 2011
Save 20% On Fly Season Essentials!
June 18, 2011
SAVE 20% ON ALL FLY SHEETS AND FLY MASKS DURING OLSON’S FLY SEASON SPECIAL, JUNE 18TH-26TH! Shop on-line or visit the Olson’s Bellevue location to enjoy this special.
This is a great time to outfit your horse for summertime. Keep your horse cool and comfortable during the warm weather months with a great new fly sheet and fly mask.
- Save 20% on all fly sheets! Choose from the Rambo Protector or the Amigo Bug Rug.
- Save 20% on a wide selection of fly masks from Kensington and Cashel
Now is the time to make sure that you have the summer essentials–stock up on fly sprays, bathing supplies, and electrolytes. Olson’s have everything you need to enjoy warm weather riding!
Fly Season Survival Guide
June 17, 2011
As warm weather approaches, many of us look forward to our favorite summer riding pastimes–enjoying a trail ride on warm days, showing under the bright sunshine, and even watching your horse relax and enjoy the summer pasture. Accompanying these warm summer days come some not so welcomed guests–flies, mosquitos, gnats, and more! There are some simple steps that you can take to keep these uninvited visitors from ruining your summertime riding.
Help your horse enjoy the summer fun!
Step #1 Examine Your Horse’s Daily Routine…
First and foremost, make sure to regularly rinse off your horse’s summer coat. Sweat build-up combined with manure and urine stains can leave your horse’s skin very sensitive and vulnerable to irritation. It is not necessary to use heavy cleansers or soaps each time–rather simply hosing your horse off after a vigorous ride will help keep many everyday warm-weather related skin conditions at bay.
Another easy step in fly prevention involves incorporating the use of a fly spray into your horse’s daily grooming regimen. Today’s equestrian market offers a wide variety of fly repellent sprays, spot-ons, and roll-ons to help you in your quest to banish flies from your horse’s daily life. Many products are also available in “green” alternative formulas–these newer sprays incorporate environmentally-friendly ingredients to reduce the use of insecticides. There are many products available designed to suit each rider’s needs.
Step #2 Invest In A Fly Sheet…
Rambo Protector
Keep your horse covered–one of the best, most reliable ways to protect your horse from harmful insects is with the use of a fly sheet. Not only do many of today’s fly sheets provide fantastic protection, but they are made with light reflecting/breathable fabrics which also help keep horses cool in warm weather.
The Rambo Protector offers top of the line protection against biting insects! with a removable neck cover and a unique fit through the belly, the Rambo Protector will ensure that your horses is comfortable and free of pests throughout the summer months!
Amigo Bug Rug
The Amigo Bug Rug Fly Sheet offers great protection against bugs using lightweight, breathable fabric to ensure a cool, comfortable fit! The light color fabric helps to deflect the hot summer sun while also providing a protective barrier against insects. The removable neck rug allows you to keep your horse fully covered and protected against flies!
Step #3 Protect Your Horse’s Most Sensitive Areas With A Fly Masks…
Kensington Fly Mask with Ears and Nose
Lastly, when turning your horse out during summertime always use a fly mask. These light-weight and breathable mesh masks protect the sensitive skin and membrane’s around your horse’s eyes. So often, horse’s in pasture will be inundated with swarms of flies around the eyes and ears–many times fly bites and agitation in these delicate areas can lead to eye swelling and infection.
Today’s fly masks offer a variety of coverage–from the traditional fly mask designed to cover the horse’s eyes to more advanced masks designed to protect the horse’s eyes, ears, and muzzle.
With these simple steps you can ensure that your horse will enjoy the warm, lazy days of summer just as much as you do!
Fly sprays and repellents make up the last line of defense in warding off summer pests. Today’s horse industry is stocked-full of products designed to protect your horse from biting flies, mosquitos and more–from strong, long lasting conventional fly sprays to environmentally conscious “green” products there is a fly deturant to suit each rider’s individual needs!
Olson’s Celebrates the 2011 National Helmet Awareness Day
June 6, 2011
Save 15% on all safety helmets during National Helmet Awareness Day, Saturday June 11th! Continue reading
Olson’s Tack Shop is Recognized for Recycling Efforts
June 2, 2011
Olson’s Tack is striving to help keep the grass greener for our equestrian companions–Olson’s recycling efforts have been recognized with a 2011 Allied Waste Recycling Award!
These annual awards recognize Bellevue’s top commercial recyclers for their efforts to reduce waste. Olson’s Tack Shop is one only five Bellevue business to be awarded the Commercial Recycling Award.
Olson’s Iconic History is Celebrated
May 9, 2011
As Olson’s Tack Shop celebrates our 65th year in business, a recent article in the Bellevue Reporter honored Olson’s iconic roll in the area’s equestrian community.
Olson's Owners Michael Akers and Jason Weatherholtz. Photo courtesy of the Bellevue Reporter.
For more than half a century Olson’s has proudly served the Northwest’s equestrian enthusiasts by providing staple goods and services as well as unique and specialty items. As one of the oldest businesses in Bellevue, Olson’s is proud of our storied history and role in Pacific Northwest horse sport.
Olson’s Safety Awareness Seminar
April 21, 2011
Equestrian Safety Awareness Seminar May 21st-22nd
Olson’s Tack Shop and Equestrian’s Institute are partnering to bring you an Equestrian Safety Awareness Seminar. As part of Equestrian’s Institute’s Sunday Brunch Lecture Series, the Equestrian Safety Awareness Seminar will be held on Sunday, May 22nd at the Northwest Arts Center in Bellevue, Washington. Continue reading
Get Ready, Set, Show!
March 15, 2011
You’ve spent all winter getting prepared for the upcoming show season–hours of practice and dedication spent in the saddle. Now, it’s your time to shine and you find yourself racing around trying to make sure that every detail of your show turnout looks great. That frantic, last minute panic can now become a thing of the past as today’s equestrian market seeks to make getting show-ring ready relaxing and easy! Continue reading
Equestrian Sports Get Technical
March 11, 2011
With modern advancements in production and design, the Equestrian sport is changing shape! From updated stirrup designs to innovative riding boots there are a host of new products available to help rider’s achieve their very best in the ring.
Olson's introduces the Ariat Volant Front Zip Tall Boot
Olson's introduces the Ariat Volant Front Zip Tall Boot
Ariat Volant–The Riding Boot Re-Designed!
The new Ariat Volant puts a modern styling and twist on the everyday riding boot. With a streamlined appearance and exciting new technology the Volant has made riding boots exciting!
The Volant is made with European calf-leather outers combined with breathable stretch-mesh inserts for incredibly tapered fit and superior performance. Ariat’s Cobalt Quantum technology provides a maximum amount of stability and support throughout the foot bed. Don’t be mislead by the Volant’s sleek appearance–this hardy boot is perfect for everyday use with a Tec-Tuff heel counter, over lasted construction, and with Ariat’s exclusive Duratread soles. The Ariat Volant offers today’s rider a comfortable and supportive riding boot designed to meet the tests of everyday use!
Improving the Rider’s Base of Support–The MDC Sport Classic Stirrup Iron
This newcomer to the vast stirrup iron market offers rider’s an iron steeped in modern, performance enhancing innovations with a sleek, traditional appearance. Perfect for showing or everyday riding, the MDC Sport Classic Iron is a valuable addition to today’s essential riding equipment.
MDC Sport Classic Iron
The MDC Sport Classic iron features a pivoting stirrup eye, which can be adjusted to meet the rider’s individual preference. These irons can be adjusted from a traditional position, to 45-degrees, and 90-degrees which allows riders to position the foot pad perfectly on the ball of the foot to ensure a good base of support and correct lower leg position. The Sport Classic iron comes with a wide, non-slip aluminum foot bed to provide the ultimate in security. Narrower, non-slip aluminum foot beds are also available. The traditional stainless steel finish of this iron gives it the classic appearance of the traditional stirrup iron.
Go Ahead, Ride in the Rain with the Prestige Boston
Ride outside with the Boston saddle by Prestige
The Boston is the latest addition to Prestige’s innovative line of saddles. This great new saddle showcases the industry’s latest updates and innovations including an adjustable tree for a custom fit, high quality anatomically correct natural latex foam panels provide a close contact feel, and WATERPROOF leather designed to absorb oil but repel water. The Boston offers riders a grippy, well balanced jump saddle designed to provide security and superior performance. This saddle is customized for horse and rider, and the adaptability of the tree means that if your horse changes, or if you change horses, you’ll be better able to alter the saddle to fit. The tree boasts a lifetime warranty, so you can ride in confidence for years to come.
Riding Outside in the Pacific Northwest
March 10, 2011
When preparing to show in the Pacific Northwest, every rider has to consider riding in the rain. As you prepare for the upcoming season it is important to consider purchasing show attire that is designed for riding in the elements–rain, wind, and even snow!
Today’s show attire features numerous innovative fabrics and design details which have been developed to help competitors stay comfortable while preforming at their best!
Form Meets Function–Technical Advances in Today’s Competitive Equestrian Apparel
Grand Prix has introduced the Soft Shell Collection to address the rider’s need for a light weight, weather resistant, well-fitted show jacket.
Soft Shell Collection show jackets are made with Schoeller Stretch outer fabric which is paired with a light weight mesh lining to offer rider’s a jacket that is weather resistant and breathable, the perfect answer for showing in the Pacific Northwest! These innovative new jackets feature Grand Prix’s tailored, professional fit for a great show ring appearance. The Grand Prix Soft Shell Collection is available in hunt coat, dressage frock, and shadbelly designs.
Pair your Grand Prix Soft Shell Jacket with the Grand Prix Rain Pant for the ultimate in Northwest horse showing attire!
This waterproof rain pant is the perfect accessory for Northwest showing! The Grand Prix Rain Pant is a 3/4 pant length, designed to end just above your boot–perfect for keeping your breeches dry and clean on rainy days. The full length side zipper on each leg makes removing them a snap! Grand Prix Rain Pants are not only functional but comfortable too–made with a wide elastic waist band, slash pockets, and breathable fabric these rain pants are a must have for the Northwest rider. The Grand Prix Rain Pant is available in tan and white.
These improvements to the traditional fabrics used in show clothing will ensure that you stay dry and comfortable throughout the show season–light weight, breathable fabrics aid in temperature regulation while water proof and weather resistant outer fabrics provide protection from the elements. Ensure that you are comfortable this season no matter what the weather brings by updating your show wardrobe with weather resistant show apparel.
