Fancy new products don’t always work!!

I think that there have been some really good innovative and effective improvements to some horsey things, like rugs, bits and girths, which I am all for.
My normal approach to buying anything is not to buy the cheapest and not to buy the most expensive, and when buying horsey things, if there is an unbranded agricultural equivalent (e.g. wellies, boots, forks, buckets etc. ) then buy that as it will be half the price!!
 
I'm old and personally think fancy new products that replaced jute rugs, tonne weight NZ rugs, girths which rubbed, jods which were transparent and hard to get on, hats with minimal safety, saddles and bridles where the fit was iffy should all be celebrated.

And if someone wants to buy every matchy matchy out there then good on them.
 
I don't understand the reluctance to move forward? If it wasn't for innovation we'd all still be using horrible bulky saddles that weigh 3 stone and riding in jodhpurs made of 5cm thick cotton 😂 Don't get me wrong I tend to stick to the brands which have been around forever, but I like seeing new designs and adaptations. That being said, the Equitex saddle pads do seem like a bit of a p*ss take - I can't see how it's different from my £20 memory foam half pad...
 
SpeedyPony said:
Those who like technical waterproof fabrics- how do you  keep them waterproof? My wax jacket stayed waterproof (with a couple of reproofings) for years- it was only when it got holes in that it stopped keeping the water out, but modern fabrics, even the proper workwear officially waterproof ones (IP ratings?) Only last until their first, maybe second wash (if you get spendy).
I follow all the guidance, wash them with the recommended detergent, kn the recommended settings, reproof as they suggest- but they're no longer waterproof to the same degree, or at all, after a couple of washes. Any guidance? Or is it expected that modern coats only last ~2 years?
I have a blaklader coat that was brilliant for the first two years of its life, but is now sadly no longer keeping the wet out for more than 15ish mins :(
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I think dont wash them. I think even if you wash in the right stuff, there is residue in the home washing machine that removes waterproofing, once it is gone (like with rugs) reproofing doesnt help much.
 
expanding_horizon said:
I think dont wash them. I think even if you wash in the right stuff, there is residue in the home washing machine that removes waterproofing, once it is gone (like with rugs) reproofing doesnt help much.
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I'm inclined to agree, but it would be nice if they could come up with something that could take washing! After a winter my coats are generally showing a fair bit of mud/dirt- although perhaps the answer is to only buy brown ones so it doesn't show 😂
 
IrishMilo said:
I don't understand the reluctance to move forward? If it wasn't for innovation we'd all still be using horrible bulky saddles that weigh 3 stone and riding in jodhpurs made of 5cm thick cotton 😂 Don't get me wrong I tend to stick to the brands which have been around forever, but I like seeing new designs and adaptations. That being said, the Equitex saddle pads do seem like a bit of a p*ss take - I can't see how it's different from my £20 memory foam half pad...
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IME saddles are more bulky now than they were 50 years ago - when I was a kid all our saddles had flat seats and no knee or thigh rolls and weren't heavy at all
 
IrishMilo said:
That being said, the Equitex saddle pads do seem like a bit of a p*ss take - I can't see how it's different from my £20 memory foam half pad...
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They are different. The pressure testing of memory foam is terrible. The pressure testing of equitex is good. I bought equitex half pad second hand on the recommendation of my saddler. (Second hand half pads are a lot less than £300.) Knowing I could sell it on, if horse didnt like it. My saddler has client horses that wont go forward if not in the equitex pad. I am not say every horses should have one. But it has been proven to be good at spreading pressure, and some horses have very strong feelings about liking them. Most things, if they make a significant improvement IMO are worth the price, if are long term purchases. But ideally you try them second hand first, and can sell on if not making a positive difference. I'd never have tried equitex if my saddler hadnt specifically recommended the front riser half pad for an issue. (And my saddler doesnt sell them so no financial incentive.)
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
People could wear an inflatable clown suit for all I care, if you want to spend £800 on a pair of Hermes gloves to ride in then that's great, someone has to pump money into the economy after all.
I like some nice suede feel saddle pads as they appeal to the eye and sit nicely, I like fairly simple tack with wide poll pieces, and ergonomic cheek pieces so I think some things to provide benefits - like has been said on this thread, new mouth pieces, wider tread stirrups, air jackets.
Am I spending £300 on an Equitex though? Am I f***. There's scientific progress, and then there's taking the royal mickey.

On that note, has anyone seen the least user friendly £400 Hermes hoofpick? 😆
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Yes I’m not wasting £300 on an Equitex either 😂
And it’s probsbly made in the same factory as the £30 ones 🤣
 
IrishMilo said:
I don't understand the reluctance to move forward? If it wasn't for innovation we'd all still be using horrible bulky saddles that weigh 3 stone and riding in jodhpurs made of 5cm thick cotton 😂 Don't get me wrong I tend to stick to the brands which have been around forever, but I like seeing new designs and adaptations. That being said, the Equitex saddle pads do seem like a bit of a p*ss take - I can't see how it's different from my £20 memory foam half pad...
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No reluctance just know that a lot of the new stuff is cheap sh*t made in China!
 
expanding_horizon said:
WOW you have impressive reach to be able to conclude on what most riders do and use!
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It’s not rocket science thst a lot of riders nowadays are buying the newest products. A lot of which are very expensive and don’t work or don’t work very well. I’m not claiming to know the world ☺️
 
fr234 said:
It’s not rocket science thst a lot of riders nowadays are buying the newest products. A lot of which are very expensive and don’t work or don’t work very well. I’m not claiming to know the world ☺️
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How would you know what someone hacking locally and not competing and not posting on social media is buying?
 
Well I am going to stand up for Equitex. Yes, they are scary money and very many horses don’t need them.
We have an Eventing sports pony , he arrived with us after a busy season ridden by his rapidly growing rider getting too heavy and in a big saddle.
We gave him time to start putting on condition but my goodness was he difficult to fit a pony saddle to, they are all made for flat backed connemaras, even the changing tree ones were no good. We got the best we could and transformed it with an Equitex. It is amazing, needs no straps to hold it on or keep the girth in place. The saddle never moves.
And NO fr234, they are not made in any old factory! Ours was made to order so it fitted a pony saddle.
 
Chiffy said:
Well I am going to stand up for Equitex. Yes, they are scary money and very many horses don’t need them.
We have an Eventing sports pony , he arrived with us after a busy season ridden by his rapidly growing rider getting too heavy and in a big saddle.
We gave him time to start putting on condition but my goodness was he difficult to fit a pony saddle to, they are all made for flat backed connemaras, even the changing tree ones were no good. We got the best we could and transformed it with an Equitex. It is amazing, needs no straps to hold it on or keep the girth in place. The saddle never moves.
And NO fr234, they are not made in any old factory! Ours was made to order so it fitted a pony saddle.
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Good for you ☺️so pleased they’ve worked for you but definitely not spending my hard earnt coin on them!
 
I don't have lots of new stuff, but I am really interested in the science behind some of them. Like the Thinline memory foam pads and shock absorption. As I've said elsewhere, their muzzle design has been a game changer for my horse. Where they are proved effective I would love to take advantage, after all, if it can work for you or your horse why wouldn't you?

Pearlsasinger said:
I'm not sure that 'most riders are all using the new technology tack' is actually true.
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Certainly doesn't reflect most of the riders I know - whether they are hackers or competing. I think OPs statements are more for effect than based on anything else.
 
Could I just say that there is nothing special about Equitex pads not moving? I have always removed the straps from saddle cloths to prevent them causing pressure points where they are attached, (and then because i realised they aren't needed on most horses if your saddle fits) and they don't move. I've done it with Shires, Mattes, LeMiuex and others.
 
fr234 said:
If your just here for an argument you can leave ☺️
This is just a thread for discussion
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You are making unsubstantiated claims that you know what the majority of riders are buying and using. Which is clearly nonsense. Me challenging that is not looking for an argument, just querying how you are possibly able to speak on what the majority of riders do.

I could comment on what I see on social media, what I read here, what I see at competitions, and what I see at local yards etc. But I couldnt possibly claim to know what the majority do and nor can you.

You can say lots of riders I see seem to do XYZ. When you say the majority, when you cant possibly know what the majority are doing you make yourself look silly.
 
fr234 said:
Good for you ☺️so pleased they’ve worked for you but definitely not spending my hard earnt coin on them!
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But if you have no issues that you want to improve, there is no need to buy anything.

e.g. If you have no knee / ankle pain, stable lower legs, and no issues with feet slipping out of stirrups, then nothing to be gained from changing from basic stirrups.

But if you have e.g. knee pain when riding, and can free trial special stirrups they will either help with the knee pain or dont. It is easy to see if improves and then decide to invest. Why would you know try and see.
 
ycbm said:
Could I just say that there is nothing special about Equitex pads not moving? I have always removed the straps from saddle cloths to prevent them causing pressure points where they are attached, (and then because i realised they aren't needed on most horses if your saddle fits) and they don't move. I've done it with Shires, Mattes, LeMiuex and others.
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Equitex are "stickier" than other saddle pads / half pads. I am not entirely sure this is a good thing. It can be quite annoying if trying to reposition / remove them. I wouldnt want them slippery, but they are far far stickier than anything standard.
 
expanding_horizon said:
You are making unsubstantiated claims that you know what the majority of riders are buying and using. Which is clearly nonsense. Me challenging that is not looking for an argument, just querying how you are possibly able to speak on what the majority of riders do.

I could comment on what I see on social media, what I read here, what I see at competitions, and what I see at local yards etc. But I couldnt possibly claim to know what the majority do and nor can you.

You can say lots of riders I see seem to do XYZ. When you say the majority, when you cant possibly know what the majority are doing you make yourself look silly.
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😂im just trying to hear people’s opinions on modern equine technology etc! Go and talk about you Equitex somewhere else
 
ycbm said:
Could I just say that there is nothing special about Equitex pads not moving? I have always removed the straps from saddle cloths to prevent them causing pressure points where they are attached, (and then because i realised they aren't needed on most horses if your saddle fits) and they don't move. I've done it with Shires, Mattes, LeMiuex and others.
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Exactly!!
 
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