Decathlons equestrian products - any good?

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doris2008

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I was just browsing decathlons website for a new coat to ride in this winter as I usually quite like their outdoor stuff and of course got tempted to look at their other stuff.
I hadnt realised quite how much they do for horses/riders.
I particularly like some of their numnahs and the cosy looking stable rugs - anyone bought anything - like/dislike?
The prices seemed pretty reasonable to me compared to local saddlery prices.
 
When Ive seen the rugs in the shop - I ahvent really rated them TBH.

I have a couple of the riding fleece tops from them and love them - has then for a few years now.

I also have some really light weight brushing boots - black -and fetlock boots which I really rate as they dont ppear to heat the leg up and are ideal protection for hacking about in.

They also have branded stuff ie not their own brand which is usually good value prices.
 
I bought a really cheap pair of jodhpur boots, about 5 years ago, wear them for muddy stuff if I CBA to deal with proper walking boots, and wore them on a yard on Dartmoor for 6 months. Have only just started to leak, despite no decent treatment (or regular cleaning!)
 
I wouldnt have used Decathlon, except that when I moved to France there is a wholesale lack of tack shops in my area.
A sports shop is about as good as you get, so that led me to Decathlon, they have a shiny new store near the airport, quite handy.
I was also sceptical about quality, and true to say, you do have to look closely.
however, I had to get a winter rug for a new horse, a cotton sheet and some other stuff.
I must say the rugs are really good, every feature you can imagine, and all in all not too bad a price.Neck covers tend to be separate here.
I only buy their flymasks, virtually indestructable, their shampoo , a bit dearer but a little goes a long way, I have bought jods, tops etc.Stylish and good value.
Anything they havent got you can order in, they will ring you within a week.
I have had to return a couple of items for minor damage, no receipt, both were exchanged fully without question.
So yes, Decathlon are as good as it gets for me, any specialist stuff I get from uk, and in fact will be coming to YHL next weekend.
sorry for the ramble
JC
 
Was going to say much the same as the above poster - over here everyone turns their noses up at Decathalon as there is an overpriced small tackshop in nearly every town and village - I lived in France for a while and whilst there are big name saddle makers who have shops, there aren't hundreds of little tack shops selling average stuff so everyone went to Decathalon for their day to day bog standard horse stuff, seen as perfectly normal.
 
I like their stuff on the whole, their cheapy bridles are great - the dye never runs and I still have my 10 year old £24 double bridle looking as good as the day I bought it ;) The jods are great I find, jackets not fantastically waterproof but no worse than my Horseware one that cost £:eek:. Odds & sods like headcollars and leadropes are fine. The only thing I avoid is the Fouganza rugs which are not shaped for big-shouldered horses at all in my experience.
 
In the decathlon in Nice, I saw a Bates Isabel dressage saddle for the equivalent of £250!!!!
Unfortunately we rode there on a motorbike and there was no way I could have brought it home, so I had to leave it there, sniff :(
 
I bought the schooling parka you can see on the Decathlon website at £39.99 when I went to France to see my family a month ago and it is fantastic, very warm and waterproof (had a 2hours hack this morning under pouring rain and wasn't wet at all underneath the parka!)
I recommend it!:-)
Before this one, my previous one was also from Decathlon in France and it lasted me 6 years...only when I got it out this year for the winter, I broke the zip...:-( The new one is a lot more fitted though, I love it!
 
i have a saddle pad - really smart , and nice and thick and the grippy bits really good :) and makes it easy when washing them as don't have to undo a load of straps :) only have horse size ones thou :'( but they are really nice for the price they are :)
 
not sure if they still make them but I had a pair of gloves almost identical to Roekle, have had them 3 yrs now and wear them most days. They are just starting to wear out now and when I looked on their site I couldn't find the same ones (pics were small so hard to tell):(
 
I have had two or three pairs of their pull on breeches (about £12) and they're brilliant! One pair has one a bit thin in the crutch but will let them off as they are 3 years old! Decathlon's other sporting gear (kids clothes, footwear, cycling stuff etc) is really reasonable, hard wearing and nice quality. Shame our nearest store is Sheffield so don't get there very often!
 
I've had a bridle, boots (for horse), saddlecloths, rugs, and clothing. I really like the stuff, it's cheap, most of it is rather nice, and it lasts well (even washed regularly!). Also fits well (stable rug I have fit my ConniexTB who was quite wide and well built in the body, and fits Dan who is narrow and fairly fine!) :D Just wish we had a store closer to us! :(
 
Sorry guys only just seen all the helpful replies - thanks! Our nearest one about half hour away. Definately going to have a proper nosy now!
Breeches sound a plan too! :D
 
I'm lucky as I live very near a big Decathlon store! A friend had one of their lightweight turnout rugs and I thought it was superbly made. Everything was triple stitched, it had a neck, gussets, good quality fixtures and fittings and a mesh instead of a polycotton lining so a doddle to dry out. I think it cost under £30. The only downside was that they use different sizes to the standard and there wasn't one to fit my girl, otherwise I would have bought one like a shot. I have had their winter coats before and they were fine.
 
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