Splashing out on yourself

[muddybay]

Is it worth spending some extra money on tack which only benefits me? I've had my mare for two years now so she's completely decked out and I haven't had to buy anything for her for a while. As I've got a new job I wanted to spend a bit of my earnings on some nicer reins and stirrup leathers but I am now wondering if it's actually worth spending that much more? Are £65 reins really that much better than normal ones? I just want to feel the difference and not feel like I've wasted my money!

 

[ihatework]

I’d say it’s definitely worth splashing out, but with the caveat that only if the item you buy genuinely makes a positive difference. Expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Try out friends kit as much as you can before you buy blind from a catalogue. Reins, stirrups, saddles, gloves, breeches etc can all be positive changes

 

[Snowfilly]

My mum brought me handmade English leather reins for my 21st, a Snaffle and a curb set and they cost a lot. They’re wonderful and I have used them on literally hundreds of horses, the leather is butter soft and they fit my hands perfectly- I had them made extra wide, as I can’t abide narrow reins.

Worth every penny! I’ve never used posh rubber grip reins so I can’t say on those but I would absolutely treat myself to posh reins.

Stirrup leathers I have no idea on.

 

[blitznbobs]

Eventa reins are a game changer … just sayin

 

[hock]

Do it! If you can afford it. I’ve changed all mine over to flex on safe on stirrups now and I’m so glad I did. Expensive but such a nice feel from them and haven’t lost a stirrup since. So yeah if I thought £65 would improve my enjoyment I’d spend it.

 

[Juniper Jack]

Try out friends kit as much as you can before you buy blind from a catalogue. Reins, stirrups, saddles, gloves, breeches etc can all be positive changes

Oh, this makes me miss the days of real tack shops I could walk into and handle the leather. Try on the gloves and breeches. Sit in the saddles.
Sigh.

 

[thommackintosh]

I was in a similar position after a backdated promotion so I decided to treat myself with Pravins Sellier leathers and flex-on stirrups. Love them. Treat yourself ?

 

[splashgirl45]

I needed new stirrup leathers and bought Albion non stretch, they are less bulky than some others and I didn’t regret the extra that they cost..you only live once so if you can afford to have what you want ..

 

[Squeak]

Eventa reins are a game changer … just sayin

Feeling very ignorant - what are eventa reins and how do they make such a difference?

 

[Skib]

Feeling very ignorant - what are eventa reins and how do they make such a difference?

They are a patented flexible rein with pimpled leather on the holding area. But I have smallish hands and prefer thinner reins. I rode my old share in
7202 Sabre Plain Leather Reins, Colour: Black, Width: 16mm (5/8") and bought the same for my current share which cost me £36.99

 

[blitznbobs]

Feeling very ignorant - what are eventa reins and how do they make such a difference?

They are rubber covered reins with very soft rubber - they bend much more than normal rubber grips and they are very grippy. I love them

 

[Juniper Jack]

Feeling very ignorant - what are eventa reins and how do they make such a difference?

I just Googled Eventa Reins and found various styles made by various brands.

 

[lme]

Are Eventa reins like the Kriss reins? Very flexible and almost sticky?

 

[Wheresthehoofpick]

I just Googled Eventa Reins and found various styles made by various brands.

I was confused by this too. Any brands to recommend?

 

[Juniper Jack]

I was confused by this too. Any brands to recommend?

I'm sorry, I don't know these reins. I just Googled them to see what they were. I did see some by Passier and some by Stuebben, both good brands IMO.

 

[Pippity]

They are a patented flexible rein with pimpled leather on the holding area. But I have smallish hands and prefer thinner reins. I rode my old share in
7202 Sabre Plain Leather Reins, Colour: Black, Width: 16mm (5/8") and bought the same for my current share which cost me £36.99

That's why I love my cheapie Shires reins! They're almost webbing-y along the length of the rein with continental-style stops, and leather for the buckles and billets. So much more comfortable in my hands than other styles/brands I've tried.