Following on from expensive kit .... What influences your kit decisions?

[LEC]

Just intrigued what influences your kit decisions and how you get your information?

I am always intrigued by trends so will look into it and look at the evidence.

I guess sponsored riders are the most visible using the kit and then I see a lot through Facebook (forums, experts, companies posts and tack sites). I am also happy to spend money on experts like saddlers and bitting experts. Instagram always looks pretty and might provide inspiration (riding boots etc) but rarely influences purchasing. Science driven approach from people like Dr David Marlin and Dr Fowlers Bad Science will also mean I tweak things like food and management. I don't buy magazines anymore and I think tried and tested is a waste of time in them.

I am rarely trend driven as far too practical (no matchy matchy or seasonal colours).

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It depends what it is.. A saddle is influenced purely by which fits us best, but a bridle (noseband/fit aside) would be whichever I like the look of most.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Do I need it, is it pretty, can I afford it.

That's my usual decision tree

 

[Roxylola]

Does it fit/is it fit for purpose?
Whats the research and who from? For equipment, feed etc
Do I like it?
Those are probably my biggest influences really.

I know a rider sponsored by one of the big brands - they're not a brand I usually buy but they're only radar because of her. She's not so desperate for sponsorship that she'd accept anything but good quality so opinions of people I rate and trust does play some part too

 

[AUB]

Saddle is decided with my saddle fitter.

Everything else is based on looks and function. Sometimes I’ll let myself be influenced and try something out that I’ve only heard of because of sponsered content.

 

[MereChristmas]

Do we need it?
Will it do the job?
Will it last?
Can I afford it?

 

[humblepie]

It varies but on the whole it will be competition wear so appropriateness, fit, price, quality etc. Have a few treats of pretty saddlecloths and ear covers but not really matchy ones. Just different fabrics, fit etc.

 

[dogatemysalad]

My decision making is based on Tried and Tested and is the company a reputable one, whose products are well made and functional.
When buying something new, I'm hoping it will last for a long time, that it will be comfortable for the horse, or me, and safe.
I only buy English leather for tack, quality bits etc. Latest saddle pad was a slightly boring brown Griffin Nuumed because it has the criteria that I need for my horse at the moment.
Tack shops have become so disappointing in recent years. The old, cold and dusty country saddlerys have been refitted with trendy shelves and displays full of rainbow colours and crystals. Breeches, helmets, whips, bridles and saddle pads are bizzarrely plastered with shiny diamonds. Why ? I'm not 12 years old.
Totally appreciate that kids love shiny stuff and matchy matchy. It's a bit of fun, but as a mature horse owner, I have money to spend too. Just leave me a small corner of the store with well crafted, time proven, traditional merchandise. Preferably, ( dream of dreams ) British made.
Kit used by sponsored riders has no marketing value for cynics like me. The only way to believe the product was good, would be if each rider was given a voucher and told to choose the product from the company of their choice.

 

[Baywonder]

I agree bling and bright colours are everywhere. Whilst this is all very popular, not everyone likes, or indeed wants, this kind of stuff! It strikes me horse owning has turned into a fashion parade rather than what is functional, suits both horse and rider, does the job it is supposed to do - and above all lasts.

I caught sight of a newly sponsored rider a few months ago. All of her posts on FB started with "XYZ is my choice of boots / gloves / bits / grooming product and I wouldn't use anything else etc" This was repeated, word for word for every single product she 'chose' to use. Good advertising for those supplying her with the products for free I suppose, and good luck to her for being able to have them.

On the other side of the coin, my DH's his work has always come from recommendation - and IMHO that is much better than any massive advertising campaign!

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Does it fit?
Does my horse seem comfortable in it?
Does it give the benefit I want to see?

For example, saddle pads; he doesn't like Weatherbeeta, you can feel he prefers something with a lot more wither room. He goes best in Epic from big horse shop. I'm not sold on the quality of these, they feel thin and wear quickly. He's happy to compromise at Le Mieux but I buy them cheaply and not based on colour, just on price. We switch regularly between LM and Epic for washing. If it's raining or he's going to get sweaty he'll wear LM because this seems to handle the conditions better.

 

[Alibear]

The lure of tack shops lessened when I switched to western, although there's a big western shop in Europe that I would love to go to, that's based on friends recommendations and their adverts

I'm definitely with Meredith's approach

Do we need it?
Will it do the job?
Will it last?
Can I afford it?

But influencers and social media do affect my choice as without it there's a lot of products I wouldn't be aware of. If I'm aware of them and they fit the above then I will buy them.
If one of the few UK western stores posts pictures of new saddle pads I'm usually tempted. But as they tend to be £200+ I haven't purchased, yet...

I also equate all tack and riding wear to how many lessons I could have for the same price. The lessons win 99% of the time unless its something I can't ride without.
I do have a shimmable western saddle pad on order, that choice was down to who had one in stock that was the right size , thickness, shimmable capability and price.
With the current shopping issues from the continent I had a choice of 1 shop and 2 pads. It also costs about 6 lessons worth but I need it to ride Daisy for more than 15-20 mins as the current one isn't quite long enough.
Thankfully it should last many years.

 

[MereChristmas]

The lure of tack shops lessened when I switched to western, although there's a big western shop in Europe that I would love to go to, that's based on friends recommendations and their adverts

I'm definitely with Meredith's approach


But influencers and social media do affect my choice as without it there's a lot of products I wouldn't be aware of. If I'm aware of them and they fit the above then I will buy them.
If one of the few UK western stores posts pictures of new saddle pads I'm usually tempted. But as they tend to be £200+ I haven't purchased, yet...

I also equate all tack and riding wear to how many lessons I could have for the same price. The lessons win 99% of the time unless its something I can't ride without.
I do have a shimmable western saddle pad on order, that choice was down to who had one in stock that was the right size , thickness, shimmable capability and price.
With the current shopping issues from the continent I had a choice of 1 shop and 2 pads. It also costs about 6 lessons worth but I need it to ride Daisy for more than 15-20 mins as the current one isn't quite long enough.
Thankfully it should last many years.

Alibear I was brought up in a make it or mend it and if you have to spend, spend carefully household. This is my main influencer.
I wouldn’t know a modern influencer if I fell over one.
In the ‘olden days’ research was done via friends and tack shops. These were nothing like a tack shop of today.
I am grateful that the internet gives me more information. However it means that I have to be more careful how I spend any money!
My most recent search was for a slightly specialist numnah. In the end I bought a ‘jump square’ ( what the dickens is that?) as I could not find a numnah shape. The price was reduced by half as it was white with black binding. I do not compete where dress is regulated so the colour was irrelevant.

 

[Xmasha]

Its usually : does it fit, does the horse like it ( had one that didnt always like what the saddle fitter said fitted ) and is it value for money.

The value for money is important, that can be broken down in several ways :
1. i spent a few £'s on a new saddle however it fits 3 of my horses. So to me thats value for money. Saves space in tack room etc etc
2. Saddle pads i like the POS ones, cost a bit more but they wash so well and i use them every day and they still look like new.
3. Longevity : do they last longer , i bought a rambo rug its still going strong about 15 years later, other cheaper makes havent lasted 3 years

 

[Holsaskew]

1. Do I need to replace or upgrade something 2. Is it in the sale. 3. Can I find reviews (not #ad on insta). 4. Will it improve my scores/horses way of going/welfare. 5. Am I better spending the money on a lesson.

Most of the time investing in training pays off!