For those who’ve been following this series, you know that almost without exception, I recommend that you spend your money on horses (or things for horses).

Epsom salts are one of those things.  You should definitely have some on hand in the event that you need to make a hoof poultice.  Or put some in a bath. Your bath.  Because sometimes you need to spend a little money on yourself. Since you can buy epsom salts for about 75 cents a pound, they fall quite nicely into the “little money” category.

If you’re going to take advantage of this miracle concoction, you need a tub. If you’re a dedicated “shower person,” I’ve probably already lost you.  But if you’re a rider or someone who keeps or cares for horses, I’d like you to consider what epsom salts can do for you.  Admittedly, it’s easier for those of us who are “bath people,” even if we are a bit anomalous on this side of the ocean.

I’ve been lucky to have lived in old houses for the last twenty years, all with cast iron bathtubs that hold the heat and in which I can immerse myself. During those twenty years, I’ve put a lot of stuff in the bathtub.  Essential oils. Non-essential oils.  Mustard powders.  Fragrant fizzes.  Bubble bath.

Now, I buy epsom salts.  Have you ever wondered what they are?  Or don’t you have time for silliness like that?  Well, I’ve not only wondered, I have time for just that kind of silliness…

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If you have numerous horses and numerous blankets and sheets…if you board at a busy barn…if you want to easily identify what’s yours and what’s not, I recommend a Sharpie Rub-a-Dub.

With a cute, 1950’s kind of name (think wash-omatic), the Sharpie Rub-a-Dub does everything a Sharpie does and keeps it from coming out in the wash.

My only wish is that it came in colors.  It only comes in black.  So if you have black or navy sheets, the way I do, it’s trickier to label them.  But there’s usually someplace on a blanket — even if it’s the fleece at the withers or the binding, where you can identify that it belongs to your horse.

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If you guessed the new Equipak, you’re close.

Give up?

It’s a horse hoof biscuit (Matisu)马蹄苏

A Chinese delicacy with a honey filling, somewhere in between a cookie, a pastry and a biscuit.

I know (and am glad) that my horse’s hooves do not resemble this, and I’m not sure I even want to imagine putting a horse’s hoof in my mouth, but I’m still delighted by the name.  I can’t help it.  It has something to do with horses.

I know, I know, I keep suggesting new ways for you to spend your money, but I have to let you know about this opportunity right away, because it’s time-sensitive.  And because, even if I can’t afford to bid on these exceptional items from Moran’s (I did buy those white Pikeur breeches after all), maybe you can, and maybe you’ll fall in love with one of the treasures on the block next week.

Here’s my favorite:

This unmarked Chinese stone sculpture (Lot #1151) is 16″H x 18.5″W x 6″D, and is in the catalog with an estimate of $700/900.  There is no date attribution but it’s nice to know that less-than-successful attempts to control pushy horses is nothing new.

As an antique and vintage horse jewelry dealer, I’d love to have this piece for my own collection:

It’s a signed Tiffany & Co, yellow enamel with rubies and diamonds (Lot #1160).   It’s not mint — a few rubies show minor chipping — so the estimate is $4000/6000 (putting it well beyond the furthest reaches of my inventory). Breeders and anyone who has owned horses that like to rear, as I have, is sure to love this piece.  It would make an amazing gift for someone you adore…even if that someone is yourself.

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Unlike the McSpur I wrote about last week, the trademarked Spursuader is a real spur.  It may not be subtle in its design, but according to its inventor Linda Hauck, it is subtle in action.

As you can see, as a fashion accessory, it’s a failure, but then, as I said before, a spur is not a fashion accessory.

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