Spending money on horse items

Fruitcake

Fruitcake

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A conversation the other day got me thinking about which horse-related things I’m prepared to spend larger amounts on and which I’m not. For example, I’m really picky about reins, whips and stirrups as they have to feel right, and have ended up with quite pricey versions, but for things like headcollars, I tend to go for the bargain basement type (mainly because I hate trigger clips on throat lashes). I tend to buy cheap jodhpurs too as I put holes in them despite their cost.

Which things do you buy expensive and cheap versions of?
 
I splurge on important things like rugs because I feel the cheaper ones aren’t as waterproof.

I would rather spend money on things like regular physio & a top equine dentist for my horses than buying the latest le mieux collection. I don’t spend much on head collars, saddle pads etc.

I always buy good quality tack and safety items for myself/kids (hats, body protectors, air jackets). I do love really nice good quality leather riding boots and think they are far superior in comfort and longevity to less good quality/cheaper alternatives. I have riding tights/breeches ranging from £25 to £130 and I honestly have no preference (the expensive ones were gifts).

I don’t fall for the hype of all the various horse care products on the market these days - some people have a ridiculous amount of horse pamper products in their grooming kit!
 
I had a good think and basically I don’t think I buy much at the cheap end. I tend to base my purchases on quality, value for money, price per wear, comfort and it performing the function I want it to really well. I’ve bought cheap in the past and paid twice.

I don’t buy expensive for expensive sake though. My headcollars are either string ones or Shires with the buckle over the nose and clip under the throat. That’s because they function how I want them to, price isn’t a major factor.
 
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I try and buy top end when quality really matters, but mainly try and achieve that on the 2nd hand market if at all possible.

Rugs
Tack
Footwear
Stuff like that, I try and keep an eye on ebay or fb marketplace and buy stuff before I need it sometimes if its a good price.
 
I buy expensive rugs because it works out cheaper in the long run but on pretty much everything else I tend to look for bargains.
 
I buy cheap if I can get away with it but some horses need the best to make them comfortable so I always do that, rugs I buy mid range and they are fine for what I need, saddlery I am a bit of a snob in that respect but I know what I find comfortable and I won't compromise my horse either so try to buy the best I can afford.
 
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Rugs I’ll buy either second hand or cheaper brands because I don’t use them much. I used to buy cheap/on sale jods and breeches but am now a legging person and I’ve found a couple of brands that are great and reasonably priced so I go for those! However base layers I still get cheap from sports direct or I just ride in sports tops and t-shirts. Invested in my first pair of safety stirrups this year. I was put off by the price but after watching a horrendous fall video online I bought them straight away. Always second hand saddles for me, however I’ll buy bridles new usually. I tend to look for other things second hand, however if things are priced not for off of the new price then I’ll buy new - if that makes sense!
 
I am famously a tight wad! Seriously!
I have inherited this trait from my
Father and his father and so on.

I try to buy second hand quality items, so anything proven with good feedback like Rambo, fairfax, bomber, nuumed etc

however if push comes to shove and I can’t spend ages searching for a bargain I won’t think twice about paying for something specifically for my horse if it’s justifiable ie improve way of going, comfort, longevity etc

I’ve fallen into the trap of buying cheap and buying twice and it pains me.

only thing I’ve bought pricey for myself are hats, long boots and comp gear. Stuff I’ll keep forever providing my weight doesn’t fluctuate too much, I’m absolute keen novice amateur so I’ve had things going since my teens. (They don’t see daylight often)

I will buy a new rug liner and live in poverty. My knickers are hanging on by a thread, husband had to force me to buy new specs ?

basically, I don’t (try not to) splurge on endless sh*t I don’t need.
I research purchases extensively. feeds, supplements, tools, the latest crazes to sort the must haves from the “do I really need”

I bought a set of haas brushes, whilst yes they are excellent and wash very well.... I’ve got more use out of my £5 magic brush.

Tldr : basically I will buy the very “best” of what I can sort of afford and that I think is worth it in terms of comfort for both of us and longevity providing I won’t have to buy another in the next few months (years ?)
 
I don't buy anything.

My rugs are around 5 years old.
My headcollar perhaps 7 years old.
My saddle is around 10 years old as are the stirrups, girth and saddle pad.
My grooming kit is easily 10 years old.

I don't buy things like fly sprays, mane and tail conditioner etc.

The only thing I have bought fairly recently is a new hat which was about £90 I think so not a cheap cheap one but not expensive. My jods don't fit but I can't bring myself to buy new ones, I will try and lose a little weight instead.
 
I buy cheap stuff that doesn’t compromise safety or comfort.
So rugs and tack I buy decent stuff. Don’t mind second hand In good condition.
I buy cheap poly pad type saddle pads. Easy to use and wash.
I buy cheap bandages/boots etc (woof club boots are great!)
I also like good grooming kit stuff.
 
I'll spend a lot on quality tack and hats and for other stuff where I've found something that fits and works well for us where needed, so I'll buy weatherbeeta rugs as they fit J well not the most expensive but not cheap cheap anymore. I'll try to buy stuff that can be washed or disinfected secondhand where possible. Other than that I'll try to buy non equine stuff that can be used, so workmen's hi vis etc.
 
Oh dear. Reading this, I’ve realised there are more areas where I choose the slightly more pricey option. ?

I’ve recently discovered leMieux saddle pads and am a convert. (Not from a matchy point of view. I just find they sit really well and wash with no bobbling).

I tend to go mid-range for rugs and for boots for me. I think when I find something that works, I stick with that.

My brushes are all very basic though; some are even from my first pony from the 80s and were old then!
 
I don't buy anything I have accumulated enough stuff in 50 years it it more replacing worn out I never buy on a whim and am very careful not to buy anything unless it is really needed. My motto is can we do without if the answer is no I will look for good value
 
Pinkvboots said:
I really recommend perform equine for riding tights absolutely love mine just ordered some £30 and I never thought I would like riding tights but they are great.
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I haven't tried riding tights yet. What is the main difference, are they very thin?
 
Depends what I want, and what price it is. I try to get cheap wherever possible, failing that second hand!

I have been at shows where my girth has cost almost as much as my cheap saddle… and where I’ve been wearing a pair of cheap £10 jods with an expensive show jacket!
 
It comes down to safety, comfort and functionality.

For me, that roughly translates to riding hats, riding boots and coats. I've spent ££££ on a riding coat and riding boots and it's been worth every penny as I ride/hack for hours all year round and can't stand being wet or cold miles from home ...

For my pony, that roughly translates to tack, girth rugs and anything that directly affects his comfort. I wouldn't spend £80 on a fashion saddle cloth but I'd spend more than that if necessary on a remedial pad.

He's had the same headcollar and grooming brushes for years & years but they are all functional still.
 
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Buy expensive rugs for ponies Horseware rambo by far the best rugs I have owned. Buy cheap £12 Aldi jodphurs for me and £7 Dunnes fleeces. Don't get me wrong I love an Ariat outfit. Got Ariat coat for birthday but can't bring myself to wear it the stables just yet LOL
 
My pockets aren't very deep so I'm fairly careful how I spend. I can buy better quality used items than new. I've only had Ruby for a year and she came with nothing but I had a saddle that almost fit so I had it adjusted and reflocked rather than blowing the budget on a different saddle. She doesn't require much in the way of rugs, one LW sheet to keep her clean in muddy weather and we're good. She got a shiny new Myler bit when the ones I had didn't suit her. She's a difficult size to bridle so I'll treat myself to a new, possibly made to measure bridle but otherwise I'm happy to rummage for odds and sods in the mounds and heaps and boxes and trunks we have stored in sheds, barns, the car etc etc.
 
I used to have a rug buying problem...

Now though, I'm trying NOT to buy anything but to make do, mend and recycle.

I may be odd in this, but it's starting to feel as though I'm just adding to the planet's problems by ridiculous consumption of plastic based items.

I'm not quite cured of my rugaholism but I'm definitely trying.
 
I have a buying problem that if something convinces me it makes my horse more comfortable, healthy, etc...I'm easily convinced! And hence have a house, tackroom and garage full of "stuff".

Not at all like it for myself! Only the horse
 
I spend out on tack, safety equipment, regular physio/dentist/massages and feed.

I save on rugs (mine destroys them) and jodhpurs and wellies. Brushes, I tend to buy cheap for most of them but I will spend more on a decent body brush.
 
Fortunately so far all my horses have worn the same size things. Everything has worn the 6'3 rambo wardrobe, a MW saddle and a cob/full mashup bridle. It makes it quite economical to have multiple horses when they're similar dimensions ?
 
Rusky said:
I haven't tried riding tights yet. What is the main difference, are they very thin?
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Honestly, I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover them! Yes, they're thin - a bit like gym legging things (not that I'd know: I never set foot in a gym ?) but quite 'supportive' and really stretchy. I just bought a couple of pairs of £20 ones and I'm a convert for summer months.
 
milliepops said:
I try and buy top end when quality really matters, but mainly try and achieve that on the 2nd hand market if at all possible....I try and keep an eye on ebay or fb marketplace and buy stuff before I need it sometimes if its a good price.
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This is exactly what I do, I like nice stuff (so much smarter and harder wearing) so I look for it second hand - for me and horse. I hardly buy anything new unless it's Noble Outfitters clothes in a sale and then I lose control of my card. Was recently appalled at the price of a standard pair of stirrup irons in a tack shop - my mind is calibrated to the second hand price of "about a tenner"! It took me a lot of hunting to find the exact NS bit I needed a second hand, but I did it eventually and was very pleased.
 
Shilasdair said:
Now though, I'm trying NOT to buy anything but to make do, mend and recycle.
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We have a fantastic old fashioned saddlers nearby who can fix almost anything, usually for the cost of about £6. This is hugely helpful for the above and I'm dreading the day the older man retires.
 
Rugs, I'm pretty much limited to Big Horse Shop because they're the only ones that fit her. Otherwise, I'm with Mrs G - if it's for the horse, it's expensive; if it's for me, it's cheap. The only exceptions are riding hats (budget pretty much unlimited) and headcollars (cheapest that has a trigger clip - I can't be doing with buckles).
 
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