All the gear, no idea!

[Persephone]

Just interested In what circumstances would you apply the above statement?

Compare two people of the same, say not competing competent novice, ie a lot of "normal" non professional owners, one has bought the best of everything for them and their horse, one has the bought at economy level.

Why does the person who has bought the nice things often get named this?

Is it jealousy?

 

[PaddyMonty]

Not a term I would use in that situation.
That gets reserved for unaff SJ comps where horse way beyond riders capability, both horse and rider have top of the range everything generally including matching ear muffs and saddle cloth. Only thing blatantly missing are some decent lessons for the rider.

 

[ThePony]

Not a term I would use in that situation.
That gets reserved for unaff SJ comps where horse way beyond riders capability, both horse and rider have top of the range everything generally including matching ear muffs and saddle cloth. Only thing blatantly missing are some decent lessons for the rider.

This!

Having lovely things thoughtfully brought for your horse is not the way I would use the phrase.

Someone who likes all the latest gadgets, has no understanding of their use or application yet still drapes their horses in a changing array (before jumping a 40cm round) would be my use of the phrase lol!!

 

[Moomin1]

There used to be a woman at my yard who had every gadget/piece of expensive tack available, a tractor to go around the field (couple of acres) to poo pick, had lessons with about four different instructors weekly, three different vets for different issues (none of the horses had any issues) and spent endless amounts of money on riding gear to look the part.

Unfortunately, she was too scared to actually do much with her horses and she even used to get other people to lead them to the field for her! She wouldn't load the horses - someone else had to do it for her. She wouldn't even lead them to the school!

 

[rhino]

There used to be a woman at my yard who had every gadget/piece of expensive tack available, a tractor to go around the field (couple of acres) to poo pick, had lessons with about four different instructors weekly, three different vets for different issues (none of the horses had any issues) and spent endless amounts of money on riding gear to look the part.

Unfortunately, she was too scared to actually do much with her horses and she even used to get other people to lead them to the field for her! She wouldn't load the horses - someone else had to do it for her. She wouldn't even lead them to the school!

Were the horses well cared for?
Was the woman happy?
Don't really see an issue if the answers to both questions is 'yes'

 

[Mongoose11]

As I picked up a lovely new riding hat at the weekend (Charles Owen Fiona - lush), I did chuckle as I was suddenly reminded of that phrase! I thought - oh God, that's going to be me!

I put the hat down and decided to spend the money on five more lessons as that is what the cost of the hat would buy me!

My YO is the complete opposite, stuff repaired - or sometimes not, lots bought secondhand but she has a lot of experience and prioritises riding over a jolly down the tack shop. I am taking a leaf out of her book!

I have nothing against the opposite though which is ALL the gear AND idea!

 

[Persephone]

So you would all say it refers more to buying gadgets, than buying a top of the range saddle/bridle etc?

And yes I know a cheap saddle can potentially fit as well as a top notch one!

 

[Persephone]

Were the horses well cared for?
Was the woman happy?
Don't really see an issue if the answers to both questions is 'yes'

Yeah, this is exactly the kind of thing I mean, her money, her choice and she enjoys what she has!

 

[Hedwards]

I wouldnt use the phrase all the gear and no idea in that example OP, however i have used it for another reason...

2 'friends' we'll call them A & B - had two riding lessons after a 'horsey friend' suggested they try it. They enjoyed it so the following weekend, A&B + the 'horsey friend' went to Melton market and bought a horse each - they had in advance of this already bought a trailer each... and then kept said horses with 'horsey friend'. Now by all acounts this 'horsey friend' was incredibly stupid and had no clue about horses. friend A ended up with a pregnant gypsy pony with absolutely shot legs, friend B ended up with a 16.3 warmblood mare who evidently was very sour and very quickly turned out to have a problem with her back and was unrideable... (these horses had full brand new wardrobes/tack etc etc. as well!)

This ^^ is what i term all the gear and no idea - its a wonder no one was seriously hurt!

 

[Persephone]

As I picked up a lovely new riding hat at the weekend (Charles Owen Fiona - lush), I did chuckle as I was suddenly reminded of that phrase! I thought - oh God, that's going to be me!

I put the hat down and decided to spend the money on five more lessons as that is what the cost of the hat would buy me!

My YO is the complete opposite, stuff repaired - or sometimes not, lots bought secondhand but she has a lot of experience and prioritises riding over a jolly down the tack shop. I am taking a leaf out of her book!

I have nothing against the opposite though which is ALL the gear AND idea!

I see what you mean about the lessons, but if you liked it, you will wear it loads (think of cost per wear) What the hell, treat yourself girl

 

[Ibblebibble]

Just interested In what circumstances would you apply the above statement?

Compare two people of the same, say not competing competent novice, ie a lot of "normal" non professional owners, one has bought the best of everything for them and their horse, one has the bought at economy level.

Why does the person who has bought the nice things often get named this?

Is it jealousy?

i wouldn't apply it to the person who had the expensive stuff unless they never actually rode their horse
That's how i apply the term, quite literally someone with all the bling and gear going but with no idea how or why to use it and quite often seems to include rarely riding their horse

 

[Persephone]

I wouldnt use the phrase all the gear and no idea in that example OP, however i have used it for another reason...

2 'friends' we'll call them A & B - had two riding lessons after a 'horsey friend' suggested they try it. They enjoyed it so the following weekend, A&B + the 'horsey friend' went to Melton market and bought a horse each - they had in advance of this already bought a trailer each... and then kept said horses with 'horsey friend'. Now by all acounts this 'horsey friend' was incredibly stupid and had no clue about horses. friend A ended up with a pregnant gypsy pony with absolutely shot legs, friend B ended up with a 16.3 warmblood mare who evidently was very sour and very quickly turned out to have a problem with her back and was unrideable... (these horses had full brand new wardrobes/tack etc etc. as well!)

This ^^ is what i term all the gear and no idea - its a wonder no one was seriously hurt!

That is one hell of an impulse buy!

 

[rhino]

So you would all say it refers more to buying gadgets, than buying a top of the range saddle/bridle etc?

And yes I know a cheap saddle can potentially fit as well as a top notch one!

For me it would be someone who spent a fortune on 'matchy matchy -ing' their horse up whilst not willing to spend money on the 'important' things, like vets, farrier, dentist, lessons etc. Otherwise I think a lot of it is just jealousy

 

[Lolo]

I think it's a bit unkind on the whole- we use it when it's all the gadgets and no clue what each one is doing, rather than owning nice stuff!

 

[rhino]

i wouldn't apply it to the person who had the expensive stuff unless they never actually rode their horse
That's how i apply the term, quite literally someone with all the bling and gear going but with no idea how or why to use it and quite often seems to include rarely riding their horse

But why does it matter if someone chooses to ride their horse or not? There's more to horse ownership than riding IMO

 

[Persephone]

For me it would be someone who spent a fortune on 'matchy matchy -ing' their horse up whilst not willing to spend money on the 'important' things, like vets, farrier, dentist, lessons etc. Otherwise I think a lot of it is just jealousy

Lol, I know it's awful but I kind of despise matchy matchy I just don't like it.

This is the reason!

We had a crowd of cob owners at my last yard who used to almost wet themselves when the Robinsons sale catalogue arrived and deck their ponies out in a veritable rainbow Then they folded it all back up, back in the tack room and never came out again

I buy black white or brown so it's smart but not really matching!

 

[SonnysHumanSlave]

I say this about myself! hahaha!!
someone actually said it to my friend, who was quite offended by it at the time. But it was all down to jealousy, and we laugh about it now. Me and my friend are now all the gear no idea.

I have no gone as far to get a similar looking horse to her (coincidently) so that we are both matchy matchy and all the gear no idea. I was never into dressage, but now have the horse and went out and purchased navy jacket, white jodhs.... silk stock tie.... etc. I've done 2 intro dressage classes so far!! hahaha!!

 

[Persephone]

I think it's a bit unkind on the whole- we use it when it's all the gadgets and no clue what each one is doing, rather than owning nice stuff!

I do believe there is a crossover occurring to the latter.

 

[Biscuit]

Perhaps 'all the gear, no idea' is better than 'no idea no gear' - at least the person who bought the gear can be seen to be trying...??

 

[Oberon]

For me it would be someone who spent a fortune on 'matchy matchy -ing' their horse up whilst not willing to spend money on the 'important' things, like vets, farrier, dentist, lessons etc. Otherwise I think a lot of it is just jealousy

Agree.

As long as the horse is well looked after, what does is matter what people spend their own money on?

 

[martlin]

For me it would be someone who spent a fortune on 'matchy matchy -ing' their horse up whilst not willing to spend money on the 'important' things, like vets, farrier, dentist, lessons etc. Otherwise I think a lot of it is just jealousy

This, very much so.
I know one like that - the super duper expensive hat comes out of its posh bag, the new boots are spotless, the array of rugs is unreal, but the horse ''doesn't need the farrier regularly'', lacks proper dental care and its ''gadgets'' are ill fitting

 

[Dab]

I remember first hearing this saying 'all the gear and no idea' well over 25 years ago!

I was at a hunter trials competing on my pony, we didnt have much money to spare so nothing matched but everything fitted, albeit we did look a bit scruffy. Well we belted clear round the course and finished in the lead.

As we were cooling down and i'll never forget it, this chap came up to me to say well done and looked across at the next starter saying 'looks like they'll give you a run for your money'. Just about to head off was a very well turned out pony and rider with matching everything, boots, cloth, silk...everything, it was the first time outside of Badminton i'd seen someone so matchy matchy. So said rider started and guess what they didnt even get over the first fence, so this chap turned round to me *winked* and said...'would you look at that, ALL the GEAR and NO IDEA'

 

[Lolo]

Nice stuff is nice stuff- people may laugh at matchy matchy, but it's a damn site cheaper than the numnahs Reg has which are all plain brown/ white (PC stuff/ BE means you don't use matchy matchy!). If people want to spend their money on pretty numnahs rather than the equally expensive brown ones why on earth not?

Reg is also the proud owner of an equissage pad, a posh magnetic rug, Dalmar boots, a nice saddle- he's spoilt rotten. It all has it's use, and if you can afford the nicer stuff why not buy it? I'm sure some people laugh when they hear that the ex-racer has all this stuff but it keeps him ticking along sweetly and he's going beautifully. It's money that is there to be spent, he wants for nothing (regular physio, teeth done every 6 months, a lovely farrier- no vet visits, as the cause of his back issues are known and being treated accordingly) but it could appear very all the gear and no idea... It doesn't matter though!

 

[Littlelegs]

We have one on our yard. Horse is unbroken, she's ridden about 3 x in her life, has a huge tack & rug collection & a ton of stuff she never uses & has bought in the last few years, but always scrounging feed till pay day, doesn't use enough hay & straw as she's 'skint' & has to be shamed into getting his feet trimmed. Still borrows mucking out stuff but owns pretty much everything the tack shop sells. Buys feed on payday & a ton of new stuff, but runs out of feed again before being paid. Latest was asking me to break & school horse for free, whilst also giving free lessons on mine, but has money for lots of expensive riding clothes. We also had to force her to contribute for a worm count & wormer.
If she provided the necessaties, wouldn't bother me at all. Think in lots of cases its just jealousy, I know a few people with less experience & more money than me, but I just would like their income, I don't resent them at all, good luck to them as long as they & their horses are happy.

 

[YasandCrystal]

For me the phrase just means that someone has bought the best - or good gear from the outset. Most folk (without the funds ) start with 'make do stuff' and maybe secondhand or budget quality.

I see the phrase as a joke really and 'tongue in cheek'. When I was bought my first pony too many years ago for me to mention I really made do with a second hand saddle that was cloth underneath and had holes everywhere and cost £20. Everything but my grooming kit (which was sparse) was secondhand and that really was the 'norm'.

I think these days people have far more disposable income and if they take up a sport they can often afford to buy quality stuff from the outset regardless of whether they may drop out of the sport as quick as they took it up

 

[catkin]

Can't see the problem with having nice gear.

There is another phrase too: 'buy cheap, buy twice'........

 

[Hippona]

I sometimes worry that the term applies to me....although I can assure you I do ride...often.....although I don't compete and I'm not really that good....but I like to have quality stuff....especially horses tack....also I like nice riding clothes myself.

How about....most of the gear....got a vague idea?

 

[Persephone]

Can't see the problem with having nice gear.

There is another phrase too: 'buy cheap, buy twice'........

I agree with this if you are buying new, although buying 2nd hand quality tack is great if you can get exactly what you want.

 

[Persephone]

I sometimes worry that the term applies to me....although I can assure you I do ride...often.....although I don't compete and I'm not really that good....but I like to have quality stuff....especially horses tack....also I like nice riding clothes myself.

How about....most of the gear....got a vague idea?

I like this

 

[Batgirl]

I use it jokingly to refer to myself as I tend to be bang or bust abotu things, if I do something I make sure I can afford to buy decent gear (not expensive but quality) and set up right from the start so very much start out with all the gear an no idead but develop into the right gear and some idea. I do this with all sports etc that I try.

Went from a lesson a week to buying my first horse in about 6 months but I b loody love it. My current 20yo loaner has an impressive collection of matchy matchy because I bought a 2nd hand black and red fleece and thought why not buy red tail bandage etc etc.

I think it is only damaging if used in a bullying b*tchy way