Olson’s is looking for knowledgeable and motivated individuals with a strong background in retail sales and customer service.  Interested applicants must have the following qualifications:

• 20-30 Hours per week of availability
• Weekend availability is required.
• Previous retail sales experience; 2 years minimum of experience is preferred
• Strong background and experience in customer service.
• Equestrian knowledge and experience.

All applicants are asked to submit their resumes on-line or via fax at 425-454-9017.  No phone calls please.  An Olson’s representative will contact all qualified applicants to schedule interviews.

Click here to apply now!

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 Fly Sheet

The Amigo 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 Mask…

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 membranes around your horse’s eyes.  So often, horses 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!

Topics will include:

• Correct saddle fit for all English saddles
• How to take wither tracings
• Short-term corrections for improper saddle fit
• Care and maintenance of your saddle

Sign up now before the classes fill up!

The Kerrits Crossover Breech

The Ariat Prix Breech

The FITS Laura Breech

When you donate a pair of breeches, you are also entered in our “Ugliest Breech Contest”, where the winner will receive a free pair of breeches!  Votes will be taken in- store as well as on Facebook, and the final winner will be decided after our Fashion Show Event on Saturday, March 23 from 1 – 5 pm.  All trade-in breeches will be donated to local riding charities.  Olson’s staff as well as representatives from Ariat, FITS, and Kerrits will be modeling the top ugliest breeches throughout the afternoon .  The winner will receive a free pair of breeches of their choice!

We have received huge new shipments from RJ Classics, Kerrits, and Ariat!  These new items include the latest in apparel for both schooling and showing.

New show shirts from RJ Classics

25-50% Off Selected Apparel:

• Winter Apparel from Joules, Pikeur, Horseware, Pessoa, Kerrits, and FITS
  • Kerrits Warehouse Clearance Event: All winter bottoms are $59, tops are $49, or bundle one of each for $99
  • Dove Grey FITS Breeches: Save $100!
• Assorted Hunt Coats & Shirts from RJ Classics, Grand Prix, and Tailored Sportsman
• Assorted Winter Gloves from Roeckl and SSG

25-50% Off Selected Footwear:

Fashion, Paddock, and All Around Boots:

• Ariat Salen Fashion Boot: Save $100!
• Ariat Volant Paddock Boot: Reduced from $199.95 to $125
• Mountain Horse Active Winter Rider: Reduced from $189.99 to $99.99
• Mountain Horse Terra Nova Boot: Reduced from $229 to $149

Field Boots:

• Men’s Ovation Gold Circuit Field Boot: Reduced from $359 to $149
  • 8 1/2 Regular Calf
  • 9 Regular Calf
• Konig Pull On Field Boots: Reduced from $900 to $299.  Various calves and heights available in Foot Sizes 4 1/2 – 10.
• Custom Vogel Field Boots: Reduced from $1270 to $650.  6 1/2 Slim Calf.  Medium Height.
• Dehner Custom Field Boots: $199.  10 foot.  15 1/2″ Calf.  20″ Height.
• Konig Custom Field Boot: Reduced from $1510 to $650.  7 Foot.  Wide Calf.  Tall Height.

Dress Boots:

• Ariat Maestro Dress Boots: Reduced from $554.95 to $299.
  • 8 1/2 Medium Full
  • 9 Medium Full
• Konig Custom Dress Boot: $499.  10 Foot.  Regular Calf.  Medium Height.
• Konig Custom Dark Brown Custom Winter Boots.  Lambswool Lined.  Reduced from $1495 to $750.
  • 8 Foot.  Regular Calf.  Regular Height.
  • 10 Foot.  Wide Calf.  Tall Height.

25% – 50% off Saddles & Accessories:

• 17″ Prestige Venus K Demo Saddle.  $1,000 off!  Tree size can be adjusted in-store using our Prestige Saddle Tree Adjustment Machine.
• 17″ Prestige Academy D Demo Saddle.  $1,000 off!  Tree size can be adjusted in-store using our Prestige Saddle Tree Adjustment Machine.
• Asssorted Saddle Pads including Eskadron!

Find us on Facebook!  

The Ultimate in Safety
Ever wonder what makes your Charles Owen helmet so safe?  Charles Owen has carefully selected the best materials to compose the safest helmets possible. All components are manufactured in the Charles Owen factory in Wrexham, United Kingdom.   From the outermost layer to the inner liner, each part of these helmets has been made out of the finest materials to give you the ultimate in safety.

The Outermost Layer
The outermost layer of the helmet must be functional and fashionable.  This part of the helmet comes in a variety of finishes from the popular microfiber suedes, velvets, and also leather looks.  These fabrics are stitched directly to the hard shell of the helmet.  This guarantees that the cover will not pull away from the shell.  Most manufacturers use rubber-based glue, which can start to peel away from the helmet.  Charles Owen’s use of stitching guarantees a longer life for your helmet.

The Second Layer
The next layer of the helmet is the shell.  Most of Charles Owen’s helmet shells are made out of fiberglass, while a few basic models are from injection molded plastic.  The shell has two purposes: to disperse the force taken on impact and to protect the rest of the helmet if dragged.  The shell is vital in protecting your head if a horse was to roll on you or if you were to fall on a sharp object like a jump post or rock.  This part of the helmet also protects your head if you were to receive a concentrated impact of a stud.  Some standards in safety helmets do not consider this, but Charles Owen takes this possible source of injury into account.

Expanded Polystyrene – EPS
The layer underneath the shell is the expanded polystyrene, or EPS.  This part of the helmet absorbs the impact of the fall, protecting the brain from bruising itself in the skull.  This layer is made out of thousands of beads that are filled with tiny air bubbles.  This popcorn-like material is aged for two weeks before multiple pieces are welded together to make one piece of EPS.  Each impact causes the contained air bubbles to burst.  Because this layer absorbs the energy from the fall, it is important that every helmet is replaced after impact.  If the helmet was to have another impact in the same location, the bubbles would have already burst and would therefore not be available to absorb the energy from the impact.

Inner Liner
Inside the EPS is the inner liner.  This part contains the comfort padding and sizing foam.  The liner is composed of fabric and foam that makes for a custom fit to your helmet since the foam molds to your head over time.  This part of the helmet requires the most precision since each helmet size only varies by 1/16 of an inch.

Harness System
The harness is another essential part to the helmet, as it must keep the helmet on the head so the other parts can do their appropriate job.  Charles Owen uses reinforced nylon with a soft edge, soft leathers and suedes for the harness with either a quick release buckle or a hook and loop closure system.  Each type of harness has been designed to minimize slippage and to hug the base of the skull for the best stability.

From Production to You
Charles Owen prides itself on quality and workmanship.  From the outermost layer to the bubbles of EPS, each helmet takes about three weeks to make.  Hopefully, you now have a better  understanding of what makes your Charles Owen helmet so safe!

Source:  Santos, Danielle.  Behind the Badge: Helmet Materials.  Charles Owen & Co.  1 January 2012.  http://charlesowen.com