Some TACK questions? *Tack shop and saddle & bridle*?
February 172010
Hey!
I am finally looking for my new horse. (Yay!)
Okay, I absolutely have nothing for the horse! Not even a saddle! So I was wondering,
do you think I should go to a TACK STORE or shop ONLINE for all my horse things?
I have a wonderful tack shop in my town that supplies a lot of things. I’m leaning towards tack shop because there I can see the real thing and easily return things I don’t like. Would it be weird to just walk in and buy a TON of stuff?
My second question is… When I get my saddle, I should definitely get a bridle with the same color leather, right? Is it possible to find the same color? Should I take my saddle to the store to compare? Was it easy for you to find a matching bridle and saddle?
Thanks so much!
I would suggest going to the tack store and see, feel and see everything up close for your first go round or at least familiarize yourself with the variety of brushes and leather quality that is available. You can also sit in the saddle to see which fits better. You should have no problem in matching the leather color. PLEASE, stay away from the saddle sets that have everything included for $199.99. The quality of the leather is poor, the whole set up is usually poor quality and instead of getting beter with age, usually falls apart. Most of these are available on Ebay and internet catalog sites. Some of the items like the halter and bridle or other sized items, wait until you have the horse to check for fit.
You can actually use the fact that you need everything from A-Z to your advantage and ask for a package deal or a discount since you are purchasing so many items. Or tell them it’s your first horse and will try to win your future business. Also, things could be on sale!! Keep the economy in your backyard growing!!
If after once you know what you like and dislike, then you can search the internet to see if there are better prices out there. But returning items can be costly when shipping charges are incurred coming to you and you sending back if you’re unsure of your preferences.
You can find some really nice pre-owned saddles for not a whole lot of money.
Good Luck with everything!!
February 18th, 2010 at 2:15 am
http://www.ayrequestrian.co.uk
They have an online tack shop and are very helpful, should give them a try. Good luck with your new horse.
References :
http://www.ayrequestrian.co.uk
February 18th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Well, surfing the web CAN be helpful, but you never know if you are getting the real deal, or if you are being scammed. I would suggest going to a store, or using a catalog. Then you can return it if it doesn’t fit, or if you just don’t like it. A lot of stores and catalogs even have sets of saddles and bridles so you don’t even have to look for a set on your own. It usually isn’t too hard to find something that goes with it though.
References :
Lots of personal experience
February 18th, 2010 at 2:56 am
Well if you’re showing, then you should have the same color bridle and saddle. You can mostly find around the same color bridle and saddle, or at least one that almost matches. A tack store is good, you can really look at the items, and you’re not getting lied to, but online you have a much larger variety of colors, so you could probably match better purchasing your tack online. You may also consider buying a package, it comes with a saddle, bridle, breast collar, girth, ect… then all the leather matches. But also make sure you know that the saddle you’re buying will fit your horse, and yourself, so you probably want to buy the horse first, and make sure everything fits!
Hope this helps!!!!
References :
February 18th, 2010 at 3:04 am
I would suggest going to the tack store and see, feel and see everything up close for your first go round or at least familiarize yourself with the variety of brushes and leather quality that is available. You can also sit in the saddle to see which fits better. You should have no problem in matching the leather color. PLEASE, stay away from the saddle sets that have everything included for $199.99. The quality of the leather is poor, the whole set up is usually poor quality and instead of getting beter with age, usually falls apart. Most of these are available on Ebay and internet catalog sites. Some of the items like the halter and bridle or other sized items, wait until you have the horse to check for fit.
You can actually use the fact that you need everything from A-Z to your advantage and ask for a package deal or a discount since you are purchasing so many items. Or tell them it’s your first horse and will try to win your future business. Also, things could be on sale!! Keep the economy in your backyard growing!!
If after once you know what you like and dislike, then you can search the internet to see if there are better prices out there. But returning items can be costly when shipping charges are incurred coming to you and you sending back if you’re unsure of your preferences.
You can find some really nice pre-owned saddles for not a whole lot of money.
Good Luck with everything!!
References :
February 18th, 2010 at 3:36 am
Hiya,
How exciting! I love horse stuff shopping
I would get your saddle and bridle in person at your local tack store, mainly because, you need your saddle fitted to your horse and to you and most tack stores will come check the fit of your saddle and swap till you have one that suits you both. And get your first good bridle at the store as well.
Sometimes little/cheapish things like Grooming gear, halters, fly masks etc, usually work out cheaper at the tack store because postage of these items seems to override any money you may save. But it depends how much your tack store charges.
the stuff I always buy online/via ebay (so much fun….)
- rugs, once you know your horses size, buy rugs online, much better range and a lot cheaper! Particularly on ebay if you buy your rugs off season you get such good prices. Look for winter rugs in spring/early summer . bargains
- saddle cloths
- hoods
- work boots/float boots/paddock boots
- all my own riding clothes
The tack store won’t think its weird
They will probably be thrilled! I would definitely make a a list and then mark whether its a priority buy or something you would like to have, then check out prices at the tack store and compare online.
I have my favourite online sites I would share, but I am in Australia, don’t know where you are?
Matching gear is only important if you are showing, but is nice to have as well. You can definitely get gear to match, remember some leather will darken when oiled. Another reason why I would get your saddle and bridle at the tack store. Once you have your saddle, you can try to match your bridle as closely as possible.
Have fun
References :
February 18th, 2010 at 3:48 am
If you have a good tack store locally I’d be inclined to go there for some of it – at least to get an idea of prices and what they have available.
Shop around online – there are a lot of good online tack stores as well. don’t just go buying the first thing that you see.
It should be easy to get matching colours.
Not weird to buy a load all in one go – you might even get a discount by doing it that way.
Happy shopping !
References :