Bluegrass Provisions: Equestrian Inspired Leather Goods

The world’s swiftest, most elegant horses aren’t the only luxury items originating in Kentucky. Bluegrass Provisions, purveyors of fine leather goods, creates a line of luxury belts and more in the heart of Lexington farmland. Thank you to Bluegrass Provisions for sponsoring this post.

Hand Made in the USA

If you love quality, handcrafted leather goods and are proud to purchase items made in the United States, Bluegrass belts will make you swoon. Bluegrass Provisions makes handcrafted dog collars and leashes, horse bit bracelets, key fobs and premium leather halters and more. You and your favorite equine and canine companions can sport equestrian style with your respective Bluegrass Provisions products! I was gifted the brown hoof pick belt and have been wearing it both in and out of the saddle over the last few weeks.

When I opened the box from Bluegrass Provisions and found my new belt nestled inside its custom burlap dust bag, delight swept over me. The moment I touched the buffalo belt, I knew the leather was high end. The brass nameplate gleamed with my beloved horse Knight’s Jockey Club name. It was (and is) unlike any other belt in my collection! The belt is comfortable and the nameplate displays itself perfectly between the loops on both my breeches and jeans.

My Bluegrass Provisions brown buffalo hoof pick belt. 

Funny Story. My first time wearing my Bluegrass belt to the barn, the farm owner, a distinguished man who has a horse experience resume a mile long encompassing all disciplines, joked it would have been more practical to have my own name engraved on the nameplate.

He said it should be upside down so that when I fall off and forget who I am, I can look down, see my name and remember. He then added I should have included  an emergency contact number beneath my name! (Very practical, but I prefer the aesthetics of my horse’s name in fancy script.) 🙂

I don’t fall very often, but this blog post about my last fall went viral (don’t make my mistake!).

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A post shared by Susan Friedland-Smith (@saddleseekshorse) on Oct 9, 2019 at 2:12pm PDT

Bluegrass Provisions CEO Crystal Lee Baker shared what sets apart a Bluegrass belt from the crowd: it’s the detail of the engraving and the quality of the brass nameplates and hardware. For example, a recent plate personalization on a Hoof Pick Belt was an Air Force colonel’s call sign with block capital letters and an intricate design with wings outlining individual feathers.

Crystal said, “Artisans are so hard to find nowadays,” and even though she’s had well-intentioned advice givers say, “You could make them cheaper overseas,” she is proud of the handmade, grassroots aspect of her company.

Bluegrass Provisions Fun Facts

Bluegrass Provisions does not buy leather from unregistered traders and does not import from China. Bluegrass Provisions leather is in compliance with ethical and humane farming regulations certified by the United States Fish & Wildlife Services. 

Speaking of the leather, when I first tried on my Bluegrass belt it was a little tricky to hook the hoof pick part into the respective leather loop to secure my belt. I’ve noticed that it gets easier each time I wear it. I wasn’t too alarmed because leather, after all, breaks in and it wasn’t inconvenient.

A Bluegrass Belt dog collar with engraved nameplate.

This belt would make a thoughtful, lovely gift for a graduation or really any gift-giving occasion. According to Crystal, the belts have become a popular gift for groomsmen. Bluegrass Provisions was featured as the official belt of Breeders’ Cup in 2015 as well as more recently in a trunk show at Keeneland. The fifth place finisher of the 2018 Kentucky Derby, My Boy Jack, hailing from Don’t Tell My Wife Stables (lol!) wears a Bluegrass Provisions halter.

The Horse Bit Bracelet comes in eight colors ranging from gold to hunter green.

The Bluegrass Provisions family is proud to create beautiful leather products that will last a lifetime. Visit their website to see the whole collection and determine which pieces you’d like to work into your equestrian life. Be sure to follow Bluegrass Provisions on Facebook too.

Let’s Discuss: What do you look for in purchasing leather goods for yourself or your furry friends? Leave a comment in the comments section. Also, what is one item from the Bluegrass Provisions product line you would love to add to your collection?

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