Tack Included - Bargain?

Suec04

Suec04

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so, I'm looking to buy a new horse in the spring for me and my daughter to share. Some ads state that tack is included in the price. My question is this......is buying a horse with tack included a good idea or is it better to buy without tack and then get some professionally fitted? i'm worried that although the tack may fit the horse, it may not fit us? Plus, my daughter and i are complete opposites size wise, will we be able to buy a 'one size fits all' saddle to suit us both or am I looking at buying a saddle each? Thanks in advance for your help :-)
 
Difficult to say without seeing the tack. If the saddle has been fitted to the horse (and actually does fit!) perhaps it might be a good idea to have the one that comes with it, provided its suitable for your requirements.

If you need to have one fitted, it depends on the difference between yours and your daughters sizes, but I'd like to think it would be possible to find something suitable without having to buy 2!
 
You might be able to manage with one saddle if you get one big enough for you and then fit a thick seat saver like the Heather Moffat one when your daughter rides.
 
Firstly you are looking to buy a horse, if the horse is right for you then fine. Don't let the accompanying tack influence you to buy the horse. If the horse is right great, if it isn't then walk away. You will have the horse for a long time & it must be right. If you pay too much attention to the accompanying tack your focus will be blurred from the essential things i.e. is the horse right for you.
 
Toby_Zaphod said:
Firstly you are looking to buy a horse, if the horse is right for you then fine. Don't let the accompanying tack influence you to buy the horse. If the horse is right great, if it isn't then walk away. You will have the horse for a long time & it must be right. If you pay too much attention to the accompanying tack your focus will be blurred from the essential things i.e. is the horse right for you.
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This poster has hit the nail on the head! If tack is included great, free stuff!! However if tack isn't included don't let it put you off a good horse. I expect you will want to replace most stuff if the horse comes with it!
 
I agree with the above about not letting the fact it comes with tack influence your decision.

But saying that, if it does come with tack then I would still get it looked at by a professional when the horse comes home as there is no guarantee the tack actually fits the horse anyway. If it does fit then happy days, if it doesn't then at least you have something to sell on or part ex so you can recoup some money
 
It has been known that the tack you may ride in and the tack that you actually get might be totally different. If you like the horse may be you could say keep the tack and knock a bit off the price, or trade in the saddle when you buy a new one. At the end of the day its about finding the right horse, tack can always be sorted out at a later date.
 
nix123 said:
It has been known that the tack you may ride in and the tack that you actually get might be totally different. If you like the horse may be you could say keep the tack and knock a bit off the price, or trade in the saddle when you buy a new one. At the end of the day its about finding the right horse, tack can always be sorted out at a later date.
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Yep, happened to me once. The tack went in the bin. What I viewed the horse in and what arrived with her were completely different.
Very often, when looking at horse that comes with tack, the tack is pretty poor. Not always, but it's worth being aware.
 
Also be aware that when you try a horse they may well put on their nice stubben bridle and nicely fitting expensive saddle but when you come to collect you'll be handed 20 year old imported bridle and might just do £80 off ebay saddle - if tack does come into play do check exactly what they will be selling with the horse!!

I totally agree with above tack can be easily sourced - a nice mother daughter share much less so ! So i'd forget tack for now.
 
When I bought H he came with tack. Unfortunately it transpired the saddle he came with had a twisted tree so would have cost more to get repaired than it would to buy a new saddle. Even worse I was naive and didn't think to get the saddle checked until H started having issues cue 2 weeks off ridden work and multiple physio visits.

So even if the horse does come with tack I'd definitely get a saddler out straight away to check fit. Like others have said I'd consider it a bonus rather than a deciding factor.
 
Thank you all very much for your replies. First and foremost is finding the right horse for us and if tack comes with it (and it fits!) then happy days! If it doesn't fit then I have something to part ex and if it doesn't have any at all then I will need to include that in my budget. What sort of money should I put aside for a basic tack bundle, . eg. snaffle bridle and GP saddle, including girth, stirrups, leathers etc?

I was a little bit sceptical of one owner who I spoke to back in the summer when I was enquiring as to whether tack came with her horse, when she said 'I don't normally sell them with tack but I'm sure I can find something to start you off'....... I think I would rather it came without than some that doesn't fit and potentially cause problems for the horse.
 
Really depends. I personally never get tack with a horse when I buy because I'd rather get my own tack for it so I know it fits properly, I've had the odd bit freebie saddle thrown into a sale and they very rarely fit well!
 
How much is tack is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question. A new Wow saddle could easily be £3,000, a nice english leather second hand saddle fitted by someone qualified could easily be only £300. People rave about synthetic adjustables and they can be as cheap as £150 but i don't habve any persona; experience of those.

IMHO you get what you pay for and if you'r using it 300+ hours a year get something that will last/ be comfy

If you kept aside £500 you could get all the basics inc. rugs if you shopped around.
 
Polos Mum said:
How much is tack is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question. A new Wow saddle could easily be £3,000, a nice english leather second hand saddle fitted by someone qualified could easily be only £300. People rave about synthetic adjustables and they can be as cheap as £150 but i don't habve any persona; experience of those.

IMHO you get what you pay for and if you'r using it 300+ hours a year get something that will last/ be comfy

If you kept aside £500 you could get all the basics inc. rugs if you shopped around.
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Thank you Polos Mum. I had £500 in my head as a starting point and have asked for Tack Shop vouchers for Christmas to help out too :-)
 
P came with tack - given that it was a practically new Jeffries saddle (with a made to measure bridle, Sprenger stirrup irons & nearly brand new rugs) he became a real bargain. But, we only negotiated tack after I knew P was for me.

I did get his saddle checked by my saddle fitted after he was home & it's still a great fit.

I'd have bought him without anything included though :) x
 
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