Trails of Hay and Sawdust at The Office: The Sure Sign of a Country Girl

Carhartt Fan Photos
Carhartt Fan Photos
WOMC Detroit radio personality, Holly Hutton, gets up early. That’s to be expected when you work the morning show. But when you have 6 horses, 5 chickens, 3 cats, a poodle, and a giant rabbit, a 3am wake up call is unavoidable. Holly leaves a trail of hay and sawdust behind her at the office, the sign a true animal lover.

Holly is wearing the Carhartt Women’s Zeeland Sandstone Bib.
(if you have a Carhartt fan photo you’d like to share, submit it to craftedincarhartt@carhartt.com)

Barrel Racing Advice

Ride Confident / Crafted in Carhartt

RIDEconfident4

People often forget that barrel racing is a rigorous sport. You and your horse have to communicate instantaneously. Time is the determining factor, so your movements must become one. With a misstep, it’s easy to hit or knock over a barrel, docking points and adding on seconds to your final count. Barrel racing is for the rugged at heart. Don’t let emotions get in the way. You are in command in as you trot into the arena.

To do this sport, you’ve got to be a little fearless. You can’t be scared. Ride aggressive, be confident because it’s all or nothing, and the number one thing is you cannot ride timid!” -Charmayne James

DIY: How To Muck Your Horse’s Stall

how to muck your horses's stall - crafted in Carhartt
how to muck your horses's stall - crafted in Carhartt
how to muck your horses's stall - crafted in Carhartt
how to muck your horses's stall - crafted in Carhartt
how to muck your horses's stall - crafted in Carhartt

Mucking is an important part of caring for your horse. A clean and healthy environment is crucial in their well-being. You will need a pitchfork, a broom, a shovel, and a wheelbarrow. Clean each stall once a day, twice if you can. The more often you do, the easier your job will be.
Ellen is wearing the perfect mucking outfit in the photos above. The Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Active Jac is ideal for chilly chores in the barn. It’s extremely durable and flannel lined. The Norfolk Henley is a comfortable cotton shirt and the Original-Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree has a contoured waistline to prevent gapping as you move about and is slightly fitted through the hip and thigh.Now to the gritty details. Follow these steps:
  • Use a pitchfork to sift through the bedding to weed out the manure.
    When cleaning a stall bedded with straw, use a mental pitchfork.
    When dealing with shavings, use a plastic pitchfork. 
  • Move everything that’s clean into the back and corners of the area,
    and toss everything that’s dirty towards the door.
    The more clean bedding you’re able to reuse, the more money you save.
  • Rake out the dirty section and place into the manure spreader.
    Use a shovel to pick up any bits that may have fallen through. 
  • Sweep the center of the stall clean. Let the stall air out and dry.
    Use absorbent deodorizer on any wet spots.
  • Make sure the ground is entirely dry.
    Let your horse wander about all day as it airs out.
    Horses need all the time they can get outdoors.
  • Spread out the remaining clean bedding and add fresh straw if needed.
    Now you’re welcome to let your friend back in. 

“but I don’t think I would be near as happy working 9-5 in a suit”

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt
Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt
Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Josey Butler rodeo and Carhartt

Meet Josey Butler. She grew up on a rural Missouri cattle farm and now lives and works in Texas, training horses and competing in rodeos. Josey is a fireball if I’ve ever met one. So much skill and determination flow from her as she steps into the arena. She’s confident and bold. Her horses knows who’s boss. She’s authoritative and filled with compassion and understanding at the same time. The relationship with a horse and his master is so complex and unlike anything else. When I asked Josey to explain that connection to me, I was blown away by her response.

“Being the weird horse girl growing up has taken me places nationally a lot of people will never see. It’s extremely hard work, people think you just ride horses all day, and there is so much more too it than that. You have to be a part time vet and part time therapist to a 1200 lb animal who can’t just tell you what’s wrong. You have to be a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and mechanic because things don’t always malfunction during business hours, and running a horse training facility relies on all those things daily. You’re also an accountant and secretary because the government still wants taxes, and there is an amazing amount of paperwork involved in both billing and accounts payable when your entering events and such. On the other hand when you’re recieving checks, or an award for a job well done for a client, or even just sitting on a great horse at the end of the day, watching the sunset– it’s unbelievably satisfying. Most people who train in the horse industry never end up on the cover of Forbes but I don’t think I would be near as happy working 9-5 in a suit.”

A life and career driven by passion and a solid work ethic is worth the sweat. Find what drives you and make it happen. Be grateful for the little things you do day-to-day that remind you why you’ve chosen the path you’re on. Find joy in the sunsets.

see Josey’s work gear here: Carhartt Women’s Norfolk Henley, Marlinton Vest, & Carhartt Women’s Jasper Jeans

Carhartt Women’s Annapolis Shirt

Carhartt women's wear

Carhartt women's wear

Carhartt women's wear

Carhartt women's wear

Fall and plaid go hand in hand. Check out the new fall line on Carhartt.com and grab some items. The Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt is one of my favorite pieces this season. It’s slightly fitted so it has a bit of flex. (perfect for moving around while you’re working) From the adjustable button cuffs to the pockets on the front, you’ll be dressed comfortably and practically for whatever task is at hand.
Check out the whole outfit here: Annapolis Shirt, Straight-Fit Slim Straight Jean, Dearborn Belt, & Wellington Boot

DIY: Bleached Denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

DIY bleached denim

We all have a denim shirt hanging around in our closet. Why not give that top a trendy edge? I know dip-dye bleaching is all the rage right now, but give this spray bleaching tutorial a try. It makes a much softer transition. I used my Carhartt country girl chambray shirt and paired it with my Bainbridge Jacket.

Carhartt Women’s Chambray Shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

Carhartt denim shirt

The last few days have been an adventure. I was on an inspiration high after meeting so many inspiring women in Boston. (who I’ll be sharing with you in the next few weeks to come, so keep an eye out) The day after I flew back to Chicago, I hopped in a car  and drove to Rehoboth, Delaware with some friends.

It’s a quaint little beach town on the Atlantic. I’ve had my fair share of sea food the past few days, which makes me happy. The nights by the shore get a little breezy, so I’ve been wearing my Carhartt Country Girl Chambray Shirt. It’s light, but keeps you warm enough against the ocean winds.

I really enjoy wearing this top. There are so many ways I’m planning to wear it in the upcoming days. There’s a sweet little ruffle down the front and I love the front pocket. Get one for yourself here.