Solutions to problems you didn’t know you had..............

[Bonnie Allie]

The proliferation of solutions to problems I didn’t know I had in both tack and supplements non-stop amuses me. I am one for innovation and am a technologist as a career but the horse paraphernalia is getting riduculous.

The reimagined stirrups irons are so out of control that I saw a plain stainless steel pair the other day advertised as “classic look”.

Anatomic and comfort bridles - there is a new one released weekly it seems.

How much sheepskin can you put on your horse before it looks more like a sheep than a horse? The fluffy girth sleeves, fluffy half pads, fluffy lined horse boots.

The breastplates!!!! 5 point, 3 point, elasticated, non elasticated, raised and stitched, with clips, without clips, rings/rings. Of course these must be paired with a stud girth even if you don’t have studs and only jump 60cm.

and of course the girth’s........pressure ease, anatomical, ones with the donuts in the middle.

Supplements give me a giggle as well. I have been known to buy the latest and greatest as I love a bit of bullshit marketing but I have recently rediscovered science and am spending my money on soil testing, grass testing, hay nutrition testing, blood analysis and the services of a qualified equine nutritionalist - and surprise, surprise it’s considerably cheaper, my horses have never gone better or looked better.

 

[cauda equina]

Marketing BS has been around for donkey's years in other areas but I think it's only relatively recently that the ad men have got horse people in their sights, maybe because old-school horsepeople liked traditional tack, feed, clothing and so on
Perhaps it's because more people from non-horsey backgrounds take up riding so there's less of the 'This way was good enough for my grandfather' mindset

 

[Batgirl]

I have invested in a nutritionist as my boy is a poor diet. Every time I mention it people (with the best intentions) suggest trying this feed or the other. I am running out of like ways to say 'I'm paying someone qualified so I don't have to keep trying random things, if I'd wanted to Google it I would have ?

 

[vhf]

In one of my lifetimes (20+ years ago), I was an equine buyer. Even then I found the choice baffling coming from a serious, but very traditional, horsey background. I think access to social media/internet and all that goes with it has allowed for an explosion of 'creating a need and a following'. (Matchy-matchy limited editions and pretty-print rugs?) I'm not against making people happy to spend their disposable income - so long as no animal or human suffers as a result of it all. But am not convinced that's the case.

 

[paddi22]

I have recently rediscovered science and am spending my money on soil testing, grass testing, hay nutrition testing, blood analysis and the services of a qualified equine nutritionalist - and surprise, surprise it’s considerably cheaper, my horses have never gone better or looked better.

I got a nutritionist in who wasn't affiliated to any brand and he has saved me an absolute FORTUNE on feed and supplements. I wish I'd done it years ago. I was feeding different bags of stuff for rescues and my own who had cushings/barefoot diet/needed weight gain/needed weightloss and he just simplified everything and they all look great. my feed and supplement bill is literally a fifth of what is was and I nearly cry now when I think of how much I spent on commercial feed and useless supplements in the past!

 

[Bernster]

Using experts who have more info or experience as part of horse care seems like a good use of money to me. And I’m all for technological advances although I agree the choice may seem overwhelming and not all directly relaged to the health or wellbeing of the horse. But if it makes the owner happy, that’s cool with me too.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I don't actually think these things are bad things at all that there is so much more choice on the market. If it ends with more comfortable horse's and riders, that can only be a good thing IMHO.

My pony loves his anatomical girth (and his NS bit) & goes significantly better in it along with his modern, lightweight & adjustable saddle. I love his modern bridle I can chuck in the washing machine. I love my comfortable new fangled non-traditional stirrups (as do my knees) & I praise the lord for modern day, wearable riding wear.

I'm not personally into diamantes or sheepskin but I see no harm in it. Who cares if someone is 'only' jumping 60cm in an expensive breast plate and stud girth? Let them crack on with it if it makes them happy ?