Lemieux matchy craze?!

[SWE]

Oh my dear lord, I can't get over some of the lemieux matchy collections people have nowadays! Is this a recent craze? And is it mainly a lemuix thing? I keep seeing posts on social media showing literally like 50 pads/ears/sets for people who have 1 happy hacker, this is nuts ???

I am totally just jealous that these people have any disposable income after paying for their horses to live, but I just can't get my head around it!

 

[Green Bean]

We all fall into the trap at some point, but yes several sets in your locker for use dependant on your mood is for the few.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I can only think that some owners just feel an uncontrollable urge to buy things for their horse constantly. Each of my horses have their own saddle cloths & ears & they have 2 of every thing. One in the wash & one being used. I won't really knock anyone that has dozens but think that owning horses is expensive enough without buying things that you horse doesn't really need.

 

[dogatemysalad]

It's not my thing, but matchy, matchy is a bit of harmless fun, unless it becomes obsessive, like the lady who bought several sets for her new young horse but claimed she couldn't afford to pay for a saddle fitter to fit her old saddle to a horse that was a completely different size and shape.

 

[Snowfilly]

I know a couple of people who are cannily buying up the limited run sets, sitting on them for a while and selling them on for a nice profit!

Can’t see the attraction myself but I’d rather people were buying the latest craze saddle pads and ears rather than bits or gadgets they don’t understand.

 

[[59668]]

Oh I am one of those people with many, many...many....matchy sets.
I like my horse to look smart, I like it and it does no harm. She wants for nothing, so in my eyes it's a slightly batty, harmless addiction.

 

[Muddywellies]

I can't deny it, I'm a collector of saddlecloths (all but 2 are ebay bargains). Other people collect stamps or thimbles, I collect saddlecloths. But I don't have any matching fly veils or bandages. I don't know how many times vets need to tell us not to bandage as it causes tendons to overheat. But clearly people's desire to be matchy matchy is far stronger than the desire for healthy tendons ?. Baffles me, but that's a whole different discussion.
I' try' sometimes to coordinate a saddlecloth to my top but often doesn't work and I end up with a pretty spectacular 'clashy clashy' ???

 

[Littlewills]

I have loads. I like them and I wont allow any of mine to have a filthy, sweat and dirt encrusted saddle pad on. They get washed after one or two wears. I buy cheap and sell on for a profit when I get bored of a specific colour.

 

[oldie48]

I've found it wears off, I have matching bandages for most of my saddle pads, now never use them as they are a bit of a faff but I do use white fluffy over reach boots and white boots for schooling cos it makes her look sooo pretty! My recent purchase is a black thermatex exercise sheet with beige binding, chosen so it doesn't clash with her saddle pads.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I collect saddle pads. Mostly LeMieux, but have recently "expanded" and added some Equito, Schockemöhle, and Equestrian Stockholm. I sold off all of my Eskadron stuff (15 pads or so) except for 2.

I don't use the ear bonnets so only have one, and don't use bandages much, so only have 4 sets. Bandages are too much work. Boots are easier and more functional IM(lazy)O.

Some horses do look smart in their sets and some riders coordinate themselves too!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I am tight as a rats a** so I won't buy stuff like that, however what relevance does having a happy hacker have?

 

[Nicnac]

I don't get it either. We have quite a few saddle pads but with two horses and two saddles each they need a few to ensure we have clean ones to hand. Many were given to us through my daughter's sponsors so different makes. But none of our stuff is matchy and the only Le Mieux pad I had (from a friend) I threw away as it was so stiff and thick.

BUT it's harmless and if people have the time, the money and inclination to be matchy matchy then I have no issue with it. No, it's definitely not a new thing but more prevalent in the dressage world

 

[scruffyponies]

Some of my sharers (OK, the younger ones, generally) really love to buy new cloths etc. for 'their' pony. I think it strengthens the sense of pride and ownership. No harm in it at all, particularly as a child who is showing off their colour co-ordination is generally confident and relaxed... something which the pony will respond to positively, so all good.

 

[teddypops]

I can't deny it, I'm a collector of saddlecloths (all but 2 are ebay bargains). Other people collect stamps or thimbles, I collect saddlecloths. But I don't have any matching fly veils or bandages. I don't know how many times vets need to tell us not to bandage as it causes tendons to overheat. But clearly people's desire to be matchy matchy is far stronger than the desire for healthy tendons ?. Baffles me, but that's a whole different discussion.
I' try' sometimes to coordinate a saddlecloth to my top but often doesn't work and I end up with a pretty spectacular 'clashy clashy' ???

Same!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I'm also a collector of saddlecloths, however did manage to hold off while saving to buy a house, however work gave me a leaving gift of an amazon voucher, I originally bought H a new bridle, however he was petrified of it as it was the flash not grackle version, so caught in his beard (he won't let me trim) so returned it, they gave me a monetary refund so I used it to get a grey Schoekhmole saddlepad I'd been lusting after!

I hate bling on saddlepads and can't justify over 50 quid on one, and I'd only spend that on a good brand eg Schoekhmole. ps of Sweden have a gorgeous one however I can't justify those prices when we "just" hack...

I don't actually own any Lemieux, nor do I have fly veils as I hate the things!

I did get OH to buy me royal blue "shin pads" aka brushing boots for Xmas, and most of my saddlepads are blue so that's rather pleasing, however my overreach boots are green so I'm lusting after blue ones!

I HATE buying clothes for me but love buying saddle pads!

According to OH I have far too many saddlepads however he often buys gym shirts, why does he need so many gym shirts- technically these are H's gym shirts!

 

[scats]

Whatever floats your boat, I say.

I have a few matchy sets. I can’t afford to buy lots constantly but I’ve built my tiny collection up over a few years. I don’t do the bandages, just the saddlecloths and bonnets.

 

[AUB]

I do like my things matchy. I’ll be the first to admit it!
But I also only own equipment I use, otherwise I sell it on. I don’t collect and I don’t own things just for the sake of owning them. If it’s not getting used it must go.
I have 5 sets of saddle pads with matching bandages. Those are the only 5 saddle pads I have.

I use saddle pads and bandages everyday, so why not buy something that does the job and looks nice?

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I usually buy my stuff on sale. Very rare that I pay full price.

I did clear out a few things recently and felt better about my smaller collection....and then I bought 5 more pads ? but LeMieux had a really good sale on their "sensitive" dressage pads and I love those for winter when anything and everything rubs my horse.

 

[Whoopit]

I’ve started a cheapo matchy collection for everyday and clinic use and a “public wearing” matchy collection for camp and possibly online dressage.

By collection I mean the cheapo is an e at special and actually really decent - a purple and a red set (ears, saddle pad, boots and bandages) and the single nicer set is a Weatherbeeta Ombré blue set (ears and saddle pad but have ordered boots too for XC).

I don’t get the Le Meiux thing though. There’s loads of nice sets about by other brands - Rhinegold, Wolf Wear does some awesome sets, Weatherbeeta, Loveson... ?‍

 

[Tiddlypom]

Lemieux stuff is crappy and overpriced IMHO. There is much better quality stuff out there that is much more horse friendly if you are not a fashion victim .

 

[Nudibranch]

Harmless, but I just don't like the look of matchy.
But then my black Dales wears boring brown plain hunter bridle, brown saddle and a black pad. Very uninspired! However the pad is a Nuumed which imo has a far superior cut in terms of fit to any of the matchy stuff. The only colour we wear is the hi vis.

 

[Antw23uk]

I'm more of a classic traditional look myself and honestly, if they spent the money buying a decent fitting saddle that fits and regular physio and massages for there horses, i think they would be better off!

Im with you tiddlypom, its a rubbish quality brand and totally overpriced!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Lemieux stuff is crappy and overpriced IMHO. There is much better quality stuff out there that is much more horse friendly if you are not a fashion victim .

Such as?


....not that I'm looking to add to my collection or anything ?

 

[Muddywellies]

Such as?


....not that I'm looking to add to my collection or anything ?

I'm open to suggestions too as i almost have shares in Le Mieux now (is that possible when bought through eBay ??). I do quite like Nuumed and KM Elite as they fit well, but they aren't overly pretty.

 

[shamrock2021]

When I was younger I had was mad into collecting Lemieux saddle pads . As I got older I realize the importance of budgeting and saving for a emergency vet bills. I do think Lemieux is overpriced considering that I barely get a year out there saddle pads before they look old.

 

[sherry90]

I have *ahem* a few! But I do find the bandaging takes time and effort I just don’t have when riding after work and no one sees it. Much quicker to pop some boots on (he brushes so does need some protection) but I do ‘dress up’ for a clinic or lesson etc if I have time. I think as long as it isn’t getting in the way of anything welfare related eg not affording hay as you paid for the latest set ?? or bandaging incorrectly and overcooking tendons ? then I can’t see the harm.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

It's so interesting the experiences with LeMieux, I don't find them to be really stiff, and I have some they are 3 or 4 years old that look great. However, I have seen some for sale on Facebook and thought, "what are people doing with these pads?" Maybe not washing them enough or correctly, I don't know.

Perhaps quality varies. The newer ones have a softer binding and more durable area by the girth. I will say I haven't been impressed with their boots.

 

[HashRouge]

I got my sister a set last year for her gelding as a birthday present (she requested it) as she wanted him to look smart. She was really keen for another set this year but wanted everything to be second hand and used for environmental reasons. I was really pleased as managed to get her a lovely saddle cloth and exercise bandages in plum, both used but in good condition. I don't think it does any harm, though I do think in general we need to buy less "stuff", both for ourselves and for our horses!

 

[milliepops]

I've got a LM Denim pad which is fab, keeps its shape well but doesn't rub like some of the others. The only other one is blueberry which is ?

Otherwise I prefer Eskadron ?

 

[holeymoley]

I have 3 le mieux pads and have no desire for any more. There’s no other colours I’d want, but more to the point, my horse can only wear one at a time. Even in the hottest weather i can wash them and still have enough to wear in-between washing. I have tried the fly veils but my horse didn’t like it so that got sold! Not in to bandages so i have a very bland black pair of exercise wraps!