This was the first Marengo box design that wasn’t designed by me since the first box last spring, so it’s fun to see a different design that I haven’t been staring at for moths show up. Ha! I enjoy the box art this time, especially the design on the top and bottom of the box (which is too bad those are basically hidden when the box is in use). When I saw the choice I was excited and unexcited at the same time. The choice for the first selection I was thrilled about with an Espoir shirt being an option. The 2nd choice category was more limited and wasn’t sure I’d use any of it, but picked the item that I thought would be easiest to rehome. With no other spoilers this box, it was going to be an interesting curation.
My box took a scenic tour of the US going from Georgia to Utah…to San Francisco…back to Utah…back to San Francisco…then to Oakland…then back to San Francisco and somehow finally to my mailbox. It arrived more than a week after the expected arrival date…but oh well. That’s why this review is so late. I have NO idea what USPS was doing with this one…I was just happy it finally showed up with nothing busted or broken. The box saw some things…but it wasn’t in as bad of shape as it should have been based on its tracking. Ha!
What Came In My Spring 2024 Box:
– Espoir Sun Shirt – $100 (my choice)
– Back on Track Nights Collection Fly Bonnet – $35 (my choice)
– Dapplebay Keychain – $16
– Electric Pony Pony Perfector 8 oz (half the full size) – $15 ? Or maybe it’s a concentrate and worth the full $30? I don’t know. Going to keep it at $15 for the math.
– Zero Proof Horse Treats – $12.95
– Equestrian Wellness Essential Helmet Spray – $18.00
– The Knotty Laundry Bag – $12.95
Retail Value without bonus products: $178.95 (not including shipping costs)
Retail Value with bonus products: $196.95
Cost of Box: $79
I bought zero add-ons this box as I basically already had everything available as add-ons from previous boxes or add-on orders.
The value of this box is about on par with the last curation (which was a lower value for the Marengo box historically). However, based on the advertising of the expected number of products (6), comments from Carly on the FB group about housewares for this box, the number of products in this box (only 5 without the bonuses from old boxes) and the bonus products thrown in, I think there was a item that didn’t quite make it for this box. I don’t know what that was. I’m assuming it was something for your home…but hopefully we’ll see it in a future curation! Because of this assumption, I’m fine with the fact the box value was a little lower than previously and the two thrown items from past boxes to bring that up a bit.
Lets get into the breakdown of individual items.
My first selection was the Espoir shirt (which would come in a mystery design). I took the risk on that as there’s not much from Espoir I don’t love. The shirt is more than the price of this box, so that’s the value covered right there! Whoohoo! The print isn’t the most exciting for them, but the color is pretty and the mesh fabric keeps it cooler than some of the other Espoir shirts I have.
The Back on Track Fly Bonnet is not something I’m sure I’ll use…but I’ll consider it. I don’t use fly bonnets on Jax as I find them unnecessary for him (and most horses)…and it might actually distract him more than hair flying around…however he also tends to hold a lot of tension in his poll, so the Back on Track material might help with that. So I’m holding out judgement on this one for now. Quality of materials seems nice enough. The bonnet I received has a little damage on the cording…but…again…whatever. I’m not planning on showing in this or anything. I’m not mad about it, I’m just not sure I’ll use it. The Back on Track brand has been great for everything else I have from them, so I might give it a go.
The Dapplebay key chain comes with a bit of a “funny” story (or not so funny…read on). First…I love the design I got. Secondly…I actually had a bad experience a few months ago with a keychain from Dapplebay. The thing just fell apart. I had it clipped on my belt loop. The next thing I know I’ve lost my keys (I did find them…a day or so later). The little rings holding the bigger sturdier parts I guess just failed? So I’ll use this, but I’m going to attach it as a pretty thing, not as a functional thing solely attached to my keys. I’m not going to rely on that little ring to not lose my keys. So cute design yes (and I’ll use it)! But past experience says these aren’t to be trusted with my keys. User beware!
I’m excited to try the Electric Pony Pony Perfector (whoo that’s a mouthful). I love grooming products and trying new ones from brands I’m not familiar with is right up my alley. Hopefully I like it! Looks like the OG version is a spray, but this is a cream/gel. So we’ll see if I’d have liked the other version better or not. Probably won’t work as well as a body conditioner as I’m not going to rub it all over his body. HA! It will stick to dry spots and mane and tail I think. Excited to try it.
Jax is going to be SO excited about the horse treats. We previously got a different flavor of the Zero Proof Horse Treats and Jax lost his mind over them. So this is a big yes. He’ll be so happy.
The last two items I received in the last box and I’m not mad to get them again. I can ALWAYS use more Equestrian Wellness Essential Helmet Spray. I have a few bottles stashed away now. I typically make my own helmet spray, but with these I’m not going to need to for a while. Yay! Same happiness for the The Knotty Laundry Bag. I have used my last one quite a lot washing pads. I had some previously I bought on Amazon, but this one is so much more sturdy and fits the pads better. Will 100% use this (wait…I’m already using it for a load right now…ha!).
So this box was pretty successful for me with only the Back on Track bonnet being a…maybe? I will use everything else in the box and that’s awesome for a subscription box where things are a bit of a gamble. I think the value of it is good for what I paid (I mean the shirt alone is the value). The value for me on this one is great because I’ll use basically everything. There’s no throw away items in this box. The quality on everything in this box is good (minus the dodgy design of the Dapplebay key chain which is a design not a quality issue). It feels like a well rounded curation with things for both the horse and rider and a lot of good useful stuff. This box makes me look forward to the Summer box!
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