My experience shopping online for horse stuff, best/worst

[tyner]

Hi sorry bit of a rant.
I'm continually frustrated about shopping online for tack and equipment in the UK.

It should be a nice experience to spend hard earned money on horse stuff but I can't stand it often feel not great about it and put off far too long because shopping kind of sucks. It always feels like compromise on price, shipping speed or stock options and never in one go. Bit of Goldilocks problem. I can also never find what I want. Does anyone sell a cheap saddle square liner to go under a fleece half pad so it stays clean? I think no.

I always prefer shopping on eBay or getting things used. I am amazed at some real bargains to be had there but I've also been burned a lot of times too. Ideally I would not buy anything and hate waste but there always seems to be something that I am running out of or is unsuitable.

I don't have any local shops near me or other liveries to share so I'm stuck buying online.

Where have you had good experiences shopping online? What is your favourite place to buy from?

These are my experiences, is what I've experienced accurate to yours? Keep in mind this is only experience of one person and unfortunately the number of shops on this list speaks to the fact that the experiences at many have not been that good so always looking for alternatives.

There does not seem to be a one stop for everything. Why am I so bad at shopping maybe it is me.

Griggs Equestrian/Naylor's: speed is lighting. It is crazy sometimes how fast things arrive. Not always the cheapest or widest availability of brands but occasionally discounts. They generally not the cheapest.

Discount equestrian: pretty wide range, good prices and used a lot. Unfortunately things can ship in parts and sometimes take long to arrive. Stock availability pretty accurate though so you know what to expect.

Millbry Hill: some amazing deals on rugs I've had a few bargains. Can't always get everything you want in one shop. Do not include tracking details so you don't know when things come which is annoying.

Old Mill Saddlery: bought from a few times don't have any bad experiences I can recall. Stock range is expansive. They are based in NI but haven't noticed shipping delays not sure why I don't shop with them more often, but probably because if I had to return things it would be annoying so rather not.

Kramer: prices excellent and fast shipping considering it comes from Europe. Range is big and varied compared to what you get elsewhere. Lots of own brand products and everything I've received is good quality, leather much better than "Shires" or equivalent. Exception to this was telescopic lunge line do not be tempted by this poor imitation.
But they have a range so not sure about everything. Probably would buy more from them, if not based abroad. Haven't used their returns but the distance makes me a bit wary from shopping with them more often if there is a problem.

Eileen Douglas: easy returns, lots of marketing emails, some interesting products, range is curious but some bargains to be had. Not a one stop shop.

Hope Valley: usually great prices and discounts but stock availability online is inaccurate and shipping takes a long time (and not free). Most recently I made a big order (when you think, I'll just get everything I need and then not have to shop until for end of year sort of deluded thinking) and choose them because everything I wanted was marked as in stock and could ship that working day. 5 days after ordering the items have not shipped so I write to them and not only do they not have half of the things in stock but they cant seem to source a number of the things. Not only do they not proactively reach out to find a solution they wait until I reach out about what is going on. Pretty annoying as I've spent a lot of money there. Crazy amount of marketing emails that cannot seem to unsubscribe from.

GS and VioVet: prices can be good and also dynamic on color/demand which leads to some bargains occasionally. But in my experience things ship in parts and nothing that fast which is annoying if you are ordering vet things. These might be the same company or use same drop shipping sort of arrangement.

Equus: very bad experiences all around (except for one rug purchase that was straightforward), don't touch them anymore. Things never in stock communication dismal and had to fight for refunds after they held payments hostage for things they did not ship. Crazy amount of marketing emails "rosette awards".

R&R Country: usually fast shipping and stock availability is reliable.
Annoyance: left in store security tag on Tredstep half chaps, quite difficult to get off. They said I could come to the store to have them remove, but I live in Scotland and it's hours away. Refunds process is straightforward and works well.

Horse Direct: no problems I can recall and prices seem ok but never seem to be able to get everything I need in one go.

Equiflair: not a huge range but they have a Shopify store or at least when I used them they did and shipped same day, good order updates and everything was fine.

Highgate Horseware: use DPD for shipping, prices pretty good if they have what you need but can't get everything in one shop usually.

Redpost: usually fast shipping and stock availability is reliable
Annoyance: bought clearly marked "cotton" lunge lines as I prefer for being breakable and less slippery. When arrived they are marked as polyester. When I brought this to their attention they made it seem like it was my problem not theirs. Crazy amount of marketing emails "Redpost rewards".

 

[Cowpony]

I've always found Hope Valley Saddlery to be excellent with shipping. I ordered something on Friday and it arrived yesterday. In fact, they are so reliable they are my go-to online shop. I had to send some stuff back a few weeks ago (nothing wrong with it, just didn't fit). They sorted the replacements exactly as requested and got them back out to me quickly. Yes you have to pay postage, but you pay it one way or the other everywhere - either included in the price or added on at the end.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Where in Scotland are you?

Sommervilles do online stuff now as do jetset equestrian..

 

[Pippity]

Hope Valley used to be my go-to, but I had a bad experience shopping online with them, and now I only buy from them in store.

(I'd ordered a whole load of stuff. They had to wait for stock on some of it, and by the time it arrived, the bargain, clearance riding boots I'd ordered were out of stock, because they hadn't bothered/thought to put a pair aside. And I only found out any of this because I phoned them to chase the order.)

Basically, if it's in stock at their main warehouse, it gets to you quickly. If it isn't in stock at their main warehouse (and you can't tell whether or not it is), it's a crap shoot as to when, or even if, you'll get it.

 

[Squeak]

I do think this is slightly where we feel the loss of Derby House and Robinsons. They used to have a huge range.

I was impressed with Redpost the other day, really quick delivery and accurate stock on a very specialist bit.

Viovet are a nightmare these days with delivery. Unfortunately they're often the most competitively priced so I just order well in advance.

For secondhand stuff I use facebook marketplace as well as vinted. You can get some real bargains secondhand.

 

[WispyBegs]

My go to is the WeatherBeeta website for all things tack, rugs, clothing etc as next day delivery is their standard! They often have a good sale on and have discount codes on their Instagram posts!

For anything supplements/vet type stuff I use Viovet as their pricing is very competitive but do get disappointed with the delivery times as often takes a week to come!

 

[Zoeypxo]

I have to say premier equine have been brilliant , fast delivery with dpd tracking. 10% off everything as im in ‘the pe club’

I had some riding boots from them recently and the zip popper broke , sent them an email with pictures brand new boots sent to me immediately

Edited to add Harry hall are also very good

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ohh I could share a decent company I met a lady from down south…

Value Equestrian, Herts she is on Facebook sadly I am not but I got a ton of stuff from her at Blair…. All amazing prices!!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Equus have gone into administration I think, certainly awful customer service which may or may not be related to their financial woes! Definitely best avoided

 

[Cloball]

Despite being an internet raised millennial I've actually started checking my local tack shop before venturing online as they often have the best price which surprised me! I've had similar experience with hope valley what I ordered turned out not to be in stock they did contact me but quite a while after and it went to my spam so I didn't notice we tried to come to a solution but all the alternatives were also out of stock so I gave up.

GS, viovet, discount, red post all used satisfactorily. I'm not that bothered about things arriving super fast though. I do miss my derby house full seat suede breeches though yet to find similar that aren't £££s. I like my funky fit riding tights.

 

[Gloi]

I'd not had problems with viovet before but am still waiting for my money back after they twice sent me the same incorrect item and I had to return it . . Maybe it will come this week , who knows.

 

[Patterdale]

I always check justhorseriders.com first - it’s always cheaper and usually arrives next day or day after. Really good customer service.

 

[Bluewaves]

The last time I tried to order from Kramer they wouldn't ship to Northern Ireland. They would ship to Dublin (where I could have collected from a friend living there) from the EU website but couldn't accept my UK credit card to pay them on that site. So no good for me which is a pain because they do have lovely looking stuff.

I find Eileen Douglas and Hope Valley very good. There are some great recommendations in these posts. Please keep adding them

What I do find with online shopping is that the 6 3 rugs sizes are always sold out first.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My worst: have been looking for an Acavello gel pad recently and saw one "used" on Ebay. Private seller (I think). Ideal I thought, just the job. So bought it.

When it arrived it was obvious that the gel itself had started to deteriorate as it was nigh-impossible to separate it from the rolled up squidge that it basically was.

Once I had got it out and unstuck it, it was patently obvious that it was just not fit for purpose. When you touched it, it stuck to your hand and you could feel the gunge on your hand. Horrible!

I contacted the seller and said look sorry but this item isn't fit for purpose and I'm letting you know about it now as a matter of courtesy as I'm giving you the chance to refund me, as I'd rather not have to take the matter to EBay Resolutions.

She said could I return it and she would refund me, which she has done. Fair enough, but I think she knew she was chancing her arm putting it on Ebay in the first place. Naughty!

 

[Kaylum]

We have our own little charity tack shop all donated items. Saving money for horse owners, saving horses by raising funds, saving items going to landfill.

We have live auctions on fb next one is Tuesday all money goes to charity.

Hope Pastures Tack Sales

We have been doing lives for 3 and a half years now and we were one of the first charities to start doing them. If not the first.

 

[webble]

Avoid It's All A Bit Horse

 

[[153312]]

i miss robinsons superstores being decent and worth a trip too

 

[black and brown]

Redpost, Naylors and Houghton Country tend to have accurate stock levels on their websites and relatively quick delivery and good customer service. Equi-Elite (website and on Ebay) have always been excellent but a little limited on range of stock. I won't use Hope Valley any more due to unreliable website showing out of stock items.

 

[Arzada]

Old Mill Saddlery: bought from a few times don't have any bad experiences I can recall. Stock range is expansive. They are based in NI but haven't noticed shipping delays not sure why I don't shop with them more often, but probably because if I had to return things it would be annoying so rather not.

Surely this is the same price etc as returning anything else in the UK via Royal Mail?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Surely this is the same price etc as returning anything else in the UK via Royal Mail?

Its just the same price to return to them as it is England or scotland, I had to return overreach boots

 

[tda]

We have our own little charity tack shop all donated items. Saving money for horse owners, saving horses by raising funds, saving items going to landfill.

We have live auctions on fb next one is Tuesday all money goes to charity.

Hope Pastures Tack Sales

We have been doing lives for 3 and a half years now and we were one of the first charities to start doing them. If not the first.

Kaylum, can I just call in to drop off some unwanted items or do i need to arrange a time?

 

[Kaylum]

Kaylum, can I just call in to drop off some unwanted items or do i need to arrange a time?

Just drop off when your passing thank you so much x

 

[MuddyMonster]

I've only ever had good experiences with Harry Hall, Hope Valley Saddlery, Kramer, Viovet and Chelford Farm so they tend to be my go-to's if I'm not buying direct from the manufacturer.

 

[LEC]

I buy from loads - it’s all about price. Sports Direct, Horze, Kramer, Old Mill, Oakfield, Eileen, Redpost, Hope valley, Naylors, GS, Barnstaple, R&R, Old Dairy.
I have bought direct from HY equestrian and Ariat as often have some good stuff in their outlet.

 

[teddy_]

Hope Valley’s prices can be super, if you’re not in a rush. I have not once received an order from them in the timelines stated, and have always had to follow up on status.

Redpost Equestrian are great if you are in a rush, and not bothered about something being a bargain. They will get something to you the following working day if you order before 2pm I believe. They have also started stocking some really nice high end brands .

Kramer Equestrian is epic on all fronts . They get stuff to you more quickly from Germany, than most retailers in the UK. It’s also great quality and prices.

 

[Griffin]

Despite being an internet raised millennial I've actually started checking my local tack shop before venturing online as they often have the best price which surprised me! I've had similar experience with hope valley what I ordered turned out not to be in stock they did contact me but quite a while after and it went to my spam so I didn't notice we tried to come to a solution but all the alternatives were also out of stock so I gave up.

GS, viovet, discount, red post all used satisfactorily. I'm not that bothered about things arriving super fast though. I do miss my derby house full seat suede breeches though yet to find similar that aren't £££s. I like my funky fit riding tights.

Me too, I am lucky to live within an hour's drive of two really good, large tack shops and there are several smaller ones nearby that are good too. Often, their prices are comparable to online and at least I can see things 'in real life'.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

My favourites tend to be Chelford Farm Supplies, Griggs, Eileen Douglas, Old Mill Saddlery & GS Equestrian.

Viovet has gone downhill & some things Ive ordered have taken nearly 2 weeks to arrive!!!

Hope Valley I've ordered, nothing a week later so I've contacted them & they then say its out of stock - when were they going to tell me? This has happened now on multiple occasions so I avoid if possible.

Horse & Country - Another that's gone down hill & stock levels all to pot. I ordered a pile of kit for a country show 10 days beforehand (all apparently in stock for next day dispatch!) so 5 days in I chase it & they're holding the entire order waiting for 4 products. It got to me the day before with one of a pair of gloves missing & another item - so I ended up missing the show!

 

[Maxidoodle]

OP, you do realise that Kramer products in the UK are returned to their warehouse in devon, if you have an issue, so if you like their products, then it is very easy to return to them, as they have a UK base.

 

[Spotherisk]

Redpost is my local tack shop but tbh I much prefer Leonard Coombe in Newton Abbot.

 

[southerncomfort]

I always check justhorseriders.com first - it’s always cheaper and usually arrives next day or day after. Really good customer service.

Agree. They're really good.

Eileen Douglas for rugs. Also had a good experience where the discounted Ariat riding tights I ordered had sold out on my size, so they sent me a non-discounted pair at no extra charge. Was very impressed with that.

Millbry Hill and Old Mill are both reliable.

Find GS Equestrian a bit slow to despatch.