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November 20, 2019
Meaningful, thoughtful and practical. Bringing to you The Carousel Horse Equestrian Holiday Gift Guide for 2019!
Under $25 – perfect for your barn gift exchange or trainer!
Noble Outfitters Braided Charm Bracelet
Chic – for the fashion-forward equestrian.
Dublin Ladies Kalmar Tall Lifestyle Boots
Joules Atmore Printed Square Scarf
Ariat Ladies Warrior Tunic - Tori Print Open Road
Essentials – in the barn or in the saddle, every rider needs these winter riding basics.
Ariat Ladies Extreme Zip H2O Insulated Zip Paddock Boot
Ariat Ladies Ideal 3.0 Down Jacket
Kerrits Ladies Powerstretch Pocket Knee Patch Tight
Custom – looking for something with that personalized touch?
Ogilvy Jump Memory Foam Half Pad
Personalized Padded Leather Halter
Stocking Stuffers – small but splendid! Holiday gifts they won’t forget!
Willow Tree Quiet Strength Memory Box
Don’t forget the horse – a few items we know your faithful steed will want!
Horseware Rambo Micklem Halter
Horseware Fashion Cozy Fleece Cooler
Veredus Olympus Colors Open Front Boots
Happy Holidays from The Carousel Horse!
June 14, 2019
Summer is here, and pony camps are starting! Is your horse-crazy child prepared for everything this fun week might bring?
March 21, 2019
We are excited to introduce you to the 5th Saturday Club, a unique shopping experience with great discounts!
What is the 5th Saturday Club?
On the fifth Saturday of the month in March, June, August & November 2019, VIP Rewards Members can shop at The Carousel Horse using a special tote bag and save 20% on all items you can fit in the bag!*
Tote bags will be provided to VIP Rewards Members when they enter the store. Shop our selection of apparel, horse ware, tack and more, and receive 20% off of everything in the bag at checkout.
How can I join the 5th Saturday Club?
The 5th Saturday Club is exclusive to VIP Rewards Members. Anyone can sign up to become a Rewards Member. Sign up here.
Once your Loyalty Points accumulate to 1000, you will receive VIP Member status!
Already a Loyalty Rewards Member?
Don't forget to check your rewards points and see how close you are to VIP status! You can also redeem your points for some great new items, including saddle pads, ear veils, hats, discounts and more!
*2019 5th Saturday Club shopping days are March 30, June 29, August 31 and November 30.
*Discount applies to all items in tote, excluding consumables and yellow tag clearance items.
*Multiple discounts cannot be applied on 5th Saturday purchases.
March 08, 2019
In the equestrian industry, women break stereotypes.
We partake in one of the very few sports where men and women compete alongside one another. Where women are dominant – over 90% of the industry is female – riders, owners, trainers, breeders, business owners and more.
Women are kicking ass.
So, on International Women’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to toot our own horn, and profile one badass business owner, boss, momma and the fearless leader here at The Carousel Horse: Kim Sasse
An equestrian since childhood, Kim grew up riding and horse showing, and into adulthood, working alongside her sister to manage a boarding facility in Butler, PA. After marriage and kids, Kim knew she needed to take a step back from the hands-on environment of farm management, but certainly wanted to keep rooted in the equestrian industry.
Putting to use her Business Management degree, Kim started a small, online retail business in 2008, selling equestrian apparel and tack via her website and eBay, sending out shipments from her basement with the help of a few part-time employees. When she began her journey, Kim was looking to give riders in Western Pennsylvania and across the country an option to purchase quality equestrian products at affordable prices.
Her business grew immensely over the years and she expanded rider apparel and horse wear options for various disciplines, bringing on new brands and vendors.
The Carousel Horse outgrew the confinements of her basement, and in the Fall of 2015, Kim took a leap and opened the store’s brick and mortar location in Cabot, PA, just minutes outside of historic Saxonburg, which was quite the labor of love! The space was crafted with a boutique feel in mind, and driven by a love of all things equestrian. Around every corner there is something that catches your eye.
With the store now open six days a week and a staff of nine full and part-time employees, Kim finds herself BUSY balancing the craziness of owning a business with the joys of being an active boy mom.
And despite big-name competitors, The Carousel Horse continues to GROW. The solid foundation Kim built this company on 11 years ago has given it strength to expand and evolve in new directions, and we are all excited to see where it will go!
So on this day, and EVERY DAY, we give big props to all those ladies out there (like Kim) who have a dream and chase it, wear multiple hats, take on new challenges, and work so hard to better themselves and those around them.
You. Are. Badass.
June 12, 2018
Summer is here, and pony camps are starting! Is your horse-crazy child prepared for everything this fun week might bring?
Horse camp is so much more than riding! They may be taking part in horse care activities including bathing, feeding and stall cleaning. It is important that they are dressed appropriately and safely for their daily activities. Use our horse camp checklist to make sure your child is geared up and ready to go!
July 21, 2017
Our Brand Ambassador Kippy McLiverty headed to Ireland for a post-graduation riding adventure. Below is an excerpt from her longer blog on her journey across the green countryside. You can read more about Kippy’s adventure in her blog!
"Day one on horseback"
We start the day with a delicious breakfast in our hotel, all you can eat, which is fine with Felicia and I. Felicia and I are buzzing with excitement as we fantasize about the day we have ahead of us. When 10 rolls by, Mrs. O'Sullivan picks us up and we are off for our first ride. We travel down many winding roads bringing us further and further from Killarney until we finally pull off at the base of a mountain. Our horses were there waiting, all tacked up and ready to go. As we get ready to start our day, we are offered a bottle of whiskey to swig from, as the woman running the show claims that's the best way to wake up. Accepting the fact that we are in Ireland, and must drink as the Irish do, Felicia and I both take a swig laughing and then proceed to clammer onto our horses backs as only two Americans who never get on from the ground can.
We start by following our guides, two German girls who are here to work for the summer, further up the steep mountain side road through the mist and rain. As we settle into the trot my mind drifts to home with the idea that riding up the side if a mountain road in the rain at a trot would never be heard of. As we go I take in all the beautiful scenery that surrounds us thinking how none of it looks real, even in the rain. We change back and forth between trotting and walking for about an hour as we climb further into the mountain. The girls with us are very sweet and very friendly, so conversation flows naturally between the four of us. As we reach a fairly flat part of our ride, we break into the canter for the first time down a fairly straight and slightly rocky road. As I laugh from the realization that I'm cantering along the side of a cliff in the middle of an Irish rainstorm, something that I would never have had the courage to do a few years ago. We canter and trot along the winding country roads for another 30 min or so gawking at the country side that is too beautiful for words.
The rain and clouds finally parted, and for the next few hours we were lucky brought to have heat and sunshine casting down on us for our ride. When we reach a steep and rocky pasture we enter and proceed to climb the side of the mountain for the next 3 min or so until we reach the top. At the top we are hit with an instant strong, cold breeze that is passing briskly through the gap lying ahead, which we were informed was aptly named the windy gap. As we ride through the gap and down the other side of the steep winding mountain, we see the beautiful ocean and beaches lying ahead of us. The tour guides inform us that tomorrow those are the beaches that we will be galloping across. With the ocean in front of us, and windy gap at our back, we made our way down to the bottom of the mountain where we stop and allow the horses to rest as we eat our lunches.
Following lunch, we work our way through more countryside roads, losing our way a bit but eventually finding the right path that brings us to a field occupied with two donkeys that were not too pleased with the intrusion. We all laughed at their mewing as we cantered across their field, through a giant puddle and out to the other side of their enclosure. As we rode for the last hour to the waiting trailers, the sunshine subsided and in true Irish fashion the mist settled back in. After a long hard ride through the mountains, Felicia and I were exhausted and when we reached the hotel, we promptly showered to wake ourselves up a bit. Following our showers, we proceeded to wander the surrounding area of our new town, followed by dinner at the pub located in the hotel. Another short walk after dinner, and we were ready to turn in for the night, thoroughly exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep to prepare us for whatever tomorrow brings!
About our guest blogger: Kippy McLiverty is a Carousel Horse Brand Ambassador. She is a recent Slippery Rock University grad, where she was captain of their IHSA team.
July 07, 2017 1 Comment
By: Maggie Carty
After not having any professional instruction for almost two years, I was a little nervous to ride in front of someone who competes all the way up and down the east coast, and whose barn is featured in Equestrian Living Magazine. I typically flat my horse twice a week, jump twice a week, and then trail ride as much as I can. Sometimes this fluctuates into running around in the woods and then the following week getting back into the sandbox. Another thought crossed my mind as well: a group of other amateurs who regularly attend clinics/lessons will be there to watch me potentially fly off my horse. I signed up to ride in a show jumping clinic with August Torselieri because I knew I needed a tune up, but also wanted a challenge.
In the weeks before the clinic I spent a lot of time making sure my horse was physically fit enough to do a lot of jumping over two days in the muggy June weather. I also thought about my position, my equipment and a lot of other details that go into my riding. I wanted to prepare as much as I could, but ultimately I only knew that day 1 was grid work and the 2nd day was courses. I watched the clinic he gave last year at the same facility, and all of the lessons were tailored to each horse/rider combination.
Since I have been doing my own things at horse shows, I was eager [also slightly apprehensive] to learn from an outside instructor who had no pre-existing knowledge of me or horse. Even better, I learned that I was the only one in the 3’ - 3’3 height.
Day 1: Grids! My favorite! Before we started, August asked what my goals were and what I typically compete at. I mentioned that having a smaller horse is usually an issue for me in any competition setting, because I can do both the add step and leave-out. We had a discussion about why that could be. I personally get a lot out of talking about riding and then putting it into practice. We warmed up and instantly smoothed out some of my transitions. His recommendation helped my horse and I smooth over our flying changes in an efficient, balanced manner. He set some warm up fences up and Paige was a little star. Once the fences were raised, I enjoyed a dialogue between August and I on how speed, collection, straightness effect my ride through the grids. By the time my hour was over Paige had earned herself some [ok, plenty of] carrots.
Day 2: Courses I was super excited to ride! I had a later time so I wouldn’t be as sweaty, and I had a better idea of what I was in for. After another little warm up, we tackled some courses. They started out easy, medium, and then my favorite: a long ride single to start. I like to run to these typically, but he reminded me to keep one rhythm, and it was a great fence! He added some other challenging pieces in, and then compared the exercises to what I could encounter in the show ring. Even when I was riding to something I was unsure of, I was up for the challenge.
I think in general people are shy of riding at clinics and although I understand why, I encourage everyone to try it! Being pushed out of your comfort zone is the only way to improve both horse/rider. You never stop learning at work, school, life so why not keep learning new things from other professionals? Another set of eyes can also help smooth over something you may have missed and really take your ride from good to great. A ton of professionals are willing to travel to your farm or welcome you to theirs, too! Take a friend and have a blast, this is supposed to be fun after all.
Get Maggie's clean, clinic look:
Helmet: GPA Speed Air 2X Helmet
Breeches: Tailored Sportsman Ladies Vintage Contrast Patch and Tredstep Symphony Rosa Side Zip Breech
Boots: Ariat Womens Heritage Contour Zip Field Boot
Belt: Noble Outfitters On The Bit
Gloves: Roeckl Roeck-Grip Chester Gloves
Saddle: Collegiate Convertible Diploma Close Contact Saddle
Bridle: Nunn Finer Hampton Bridle
Martingale: Crosby Raised Standing Martingale
Protective Boots: Horze Advanced ProTec Boot Set
About our blogger: Maggie Carty is a brand ambassador for The Carousel Horse. Maggie is a 2016 graduate of Seton Hill University where she competed for, and was the captain of their IHSA team. Maggie actively horse shows in the tri-state area.
June 16, 2017
The Carousel Horse welcome Elaina Eppinger, Purina Animal Nutrition Lifestyle Product Specialist, and Kayla Burgess of the Pittsburgh Agway Group as they presented a fun, interactive seminar on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome.
Their presentation touched on a variety of topics including contributing factors associated with gastric discomfort:
Environment/stress related
Management/diet related
Signs associated with gastric discomfort
Treatment and management tips
Feeding management recommendations
If you missed out on this seminar, be sure to follow us on social media for announcements on upcoming events at the store.
May 11, 2017
April 05, 2017
How often do you inspect your tack? I will be the first to admit, I’m not very good at cleaning my schooling tack, so I’m clearly not very good at inspecting it with a fine-tooth comb. I (might) get to it once a week. There are others who are much better, and clean after every ride – and I’m talking soap and conditioner! For my once a week regimen, I’m usually running late, so I grab a damp towel and do a quick once-over to get off the first layer of dirt and grime.
BUT, I know how important it is. We spend a lot of money on leather strap goods – even schooling tack. So it goes without saying, we need to do a better job of caring for it.
Case in point – last weekend, as I was prepping for a horse show, I removed the stirrups from my saddle to give it a good cleaning. My good, name brand, stirrup leathers have worn through the first layer of leather in one spot, and the nylon inner-layer is showing. Not good.
I move on to scrubbing my irons. They were looking pretty dull, and needed a good shine. As I am standing at the sink scrubbing away, I pushed down on my flex stirrup to get off a mud spot, when suddenly the rubber flex joint disintegrates right in front of my eyes!
Now, I’ve been riding in these stirrups for about 10 years, and yes, rubber tends to dry-rot. But could you imagine if this critical piece of tack broke when I was going over a jump?!
You might be saying – you shouldn’t ride in the flex stirrups (so many pros/cons) but that’s neither here nor there… My point is that I should have caught this earlier. I should have known that my stirrups were on their last leg. It shouldn’t have happened the day before I left for a horse show, which left me scrambling to run out and buy a pair.
It’s time to spring clean. INSPECT those bridles. INSPECT those saddles. Don’t just do a wipe down and assume everything is OK. Check the stitching, the keepers, the buckles. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable walking into the show ring with it, it’s time to invest in a new item or get it repaired.
Give your strap goods a good soak in oil. We tend to soap or condition, but much like our own skin, the winter weather can dry out your leather. Spring is the perfect time to give a soak and put back the moisture and suppleness that has been lost.
Ironically, after my stirrup/leather incident, this video popped up in my Facebook newsfeed from Crown Sport Horses -
Could you imagine losing BOTH stirrups on cross country? Props to her, but I am willing to bet there is a groom out there who no longer has as job since they forgot to inspect a very important piece of tack…
November 29, 2016
Looking for that perfect gift to give? Looking for the top trends and items to add to YOUR holiday wish list? Check out The Carousel Horse's 2016 Equestrian Holiday Gift Guide - ideas courtesy of those who know our products best, our employees!
Nicki Thoma - Accounting
Favorite stocking stuffers:
EquiFUSE Gleam - Who doesn't love a shiny mane and tail? Your horse would really appreciate it! All of the EquiFUSE products make wonderful stocking stuffers!
Horze Happy Face Brush - This brush is perfect for sensitive areas of your horse’s face, ears, and neck. Attractive print makes a statement in any grooming tote. Part of the Happy Horze collection.
Uncle Jimmy’s Big Licky - A delicious horse treat created to give your horse the same fun, entertaining value as Uncle Jimmy’s Hangin’ Balls, but with less mess and stickiness.
Favorite gifts to give:
Noble Outfitters Wine Down Corkscrew - Noble Outfitters has put a new twist on the old hoof pick - a corkscrew! A great gift for your favorite horse person and fellow wine-o!
Noble Outfitters On the Bit Bracelet - An adjustable bracelet highlighting a beautifully crafted snaffle bit on the front. The padding detail comes in four different combinations to wear for any occasion - from street to stable!
Ariat Ring Backpack - This bag is the jack-of-all-trades! Helmet sling, crop holder, laptop/tablet sleeve, cell phone access and charger pockets, insulated bottle pocket, hot/cold pack, spur ring, organizer pocket panels and wet/dirty clothes pocket! Any horse person will LOVE this!
Favorites for YOUR wishlist:
HKM Roma Loop Scarf - The PERFECT fashion scarf, pairs with just about any outfit! Super soft and comfy!
Ariat Arrow Graphic Tee - I LOVE this tee! And you will too. A great, trendy jersey tee to wear just about anywhere!
Beth Bolin - Merchandising
Favorites for YOUR wishlist:
OneK Helmets - I am a huge fan of the ONE K helmets and Carousel has a great selection to choose from. The helmets are lightweight, have a low profile that looks great on everyone and a style for every discipline of riding. Whatever your style, be it bling or a little more reserved ONE K has the perfect option for every rider
Tredstep Boots - I have difficulty finding a tall boot that fits properly...until I tried Tredstep. The boots fit perfectly, broke in beautifully after only a few days and have held up through lots of time in the saddle. A nicely priced boot with a great fit!
Holly Smail - Online Product Manager
Favorite stocking stuffers:
German Horse Muffins - Don't forget about your favorite pony or horse during the holidays! The sweet, chewy muffins are a mix of sweet feed and molasses with added nutrients. These are our best selling treat, and they are all natural and made in the USA.
Favorites for YOUR wishlist:
Ovation Alistair Boot - These boots are stylish and useful for everything from the barn to shopping. The lace up the sides is great for people who need a wider calf size as they will open up to give an inch or two more space. The mix of black and brown leather is perfect for matching all colors. As a bonus, they are fully waterproof!
Joules Warmheart Quilted Feather Down Jacket - I love the deep, vibrant teal color with the pop of gold zippers and buttons on this coat. The photos just don't do it justice. It is lightweight enough for a nice fall day, but the down/feather fill will keep you warm for a colder winter day!
Ariat REAL Riding Jeans – Featuring the Skinny Whipstich - Skinny jeans are wonderful for winter when you are wearing boots to stomp through the snow. No more having to fold and shove your bootcut jeans into your boots! With Ariat being a riding and a fashion company, these jeans are perfect for riding or for wearing out to dinner. They fit like designer jeans, and you can't beat the price for nice denim. Plus, they have that perfect amount of stretch without stretching out!
Renee Stearns - Customer Service
Favorite stocking stuffers:
Gift Horse Candles - The "barn" themed scented candles remind every equestrian of their favorite places; from the trails, to the fields, to the hay loft.
Favorite gifts to give:
Custom Engraving - An engraved Perri's Leather bracelet with yours or your horse's name on it because it's personal and can be worn with just about any outfit. (in store only). Other engraving options are available online.
Favorites for YOUR wishlist:
Paul & Lydia Wallet - I like to replace my wallet every few years, this one is so cute and has so many slots for credit cards, gift cards, and rewards cards. I love the design and feel of the outer material of the wallet. Paul and Lydia makes items that coordinate, so be sure to check out their other items too!
Kim Sasse - Owner
Favorite stocking stuffers:
Willie Bakery’s line of Winter / Seasonal Treats - New seasonal treats just in from Willie Bakery, such as Frosty Biscotti, SnowCream Muffins, and Horseshoe Cookies to fill the stockings at the barn!
Favorite gifts to give:
Old World Christmas Ornaments – They are lovely, glittering pieces of art to hang on your tree and a treasured keepsake for years to come.
Ogilvy Baby Pad - Its unique design means it stays where it needs to without rubbing, is protected with stain resistance and is anti-bacterial / anti fungal on the inside. Plus, dries quickly after use and wicks moisture away from your horse’s back.. Super fun to play with all the color combinations available, but Carousel has tons of in-stock options ready to ship immediately.
Favorites for YOUR wishlist:
Noble Outfitters Element Cowl – The perfect shirt for all occasions; casual Fridays at work with a pair of jeans and boots, or with your favorite tights for a comfy Sunday at home.
Kerrits Horseplay Vest - Not just your basic black vest, this vest is quilted with a chevron and horse stitching to give it lovely detail. It’s slim, flattering fit won’t add bulk, just warmth and style. Perfect for stable to street!
November 01, 2016
As we head into November, we approach our first anniversary as a brick and mortar! While we have been an online store for many years, this was certainly a new, exciting venture for us!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, near and far, for your support of our small business. We are growing, and it is thanks to you!
This year, we’ve tried some new things!
We have brought on new brands and vendors, meeting the requests and growing needs of our customers. We would like to also take this opportunity to thank many of our reps, for being so responsive and helpful! Remember, if you don’t see a specific product in-store or on the website, but we carry the brand, we can likely get it for you!
As we look ahead to 2017, we hope to bring you more great shopping and equestrian experiences. Because, like you, we are riders, owners and horse lovers and understand the need for quality products at affordable prices.
Join us November 10-12, at the store for our Customer Appreciation/Anniversary Celebration Event!