Horse Tack: Important Purchasing Considerations

The horse may be grandiose, but despite the size it still requires TLC much like any pet. To ensure it has a happy and healthy life, you need the adequate supplies to be able to properly handle, ride and care for this gorgeous animal. So, if you’ve just adopted or are planning on adopting one, it’s essential to assemble the equipment.

It all starts with the different types of tack you’d find at a reputable horse tack store and knowing how to select the proper ones for you and your horse. With the range of options available, shopping can get overwhelming quickly. To avoid confusion and frustration, focus on the basics like:

Consider Your Needs

When I mention needs, I mean riding discipline first and foremost as it can be the decisive factor in narrowing down your choices. English is different from Western riding, and it’s not just in the selection of saddles that you spot this. From the range of girths and cinches, saddle pads, stirrups, to the breastplates and martingales, everything matters. Furthermore, what’s useful for English or Western discipline riding may not be the perfect fit for dressage and jumping, so be sure to take it all into consideration. 

Think of the Horse’s Comfort

Sure, buying equipment from the horse tack store has to be something you’re comfortable with, but the same can be said about your horse. The last thing you want is to invest in saddles and additional pieces of equipment and accessories that poorly affect its well-being by causing discomfort, pain, or worse – long term health issues. 

It’s crucial to consider your animal’s shape, specifically its wither shape and back length, when selecting from the variety of saddles. Material is another essential aspect you can’t omit from the shopping equation, especially for the tack that’s in direct contact with the horse. This includes saddle pads and blankets, saddles, girths, cinches, bridles and bits, and rain sheets. 

Durable, lightweight, soft, breathable properties in materials are a must to consider. Two of the basic choices you have are leather and synthetics. The first is the more durable of the two, whereas the synthetic alternative is the lightweight and more breathable. If you can, try before you buy so you’d get to see which option best suits you and your animal. 

Don’t Forget the Budget

When you don’t know what to look for and what to spend on, it’s easy to go over your budget. Proper planning is necessary so you’d know how much you can set aside for tack shop essentials. Are you a beginner rider/horse owner or do you have experience? Answering this question can further assist you in determining what you should invest in. 

As a beginner, the focus is more on basics rather than acquiring the top-notch pieces that are often more expensive. An experienced rider/owner already knows what he/she likes and dislikes, along with what their horse could prefer more so getting something more high-end and tailored would be the wise decision. This is where you get to choose brand and quality. 

Doing your homework on researching brands known for their craftsmanship and quality can save you from discomfort, aches, and costly errors. What’s more, taking the time to go over basics like this can help you find the trustworthy tack store or retailer that not only stocks the best of the best, but can also provide you with convenient offers and warranties. 

Be sure to check for return policies too as the safety net in case what you buy isn’t the right fit for your horse. It’s especially useful for online shopping as you don’t get to try the items before you buy them. While online stores may not give you the chance to check out the tack prior to the purchase, the advantage to them is coming across a vast selection of products, brands and prices so you have more to choose from. 

One last consideration in terms of cost and budget is whether you’re up for purchasing brand new equipment or if you’d prefer to save up by investing less in something used. Keep in mind, though, while more affordable the used option isn’t always a guarantee on the quality and you may end up having to replace certain items sooner than expected. To avoid this, look for tack retailers that offer used equipment in great condition by checking up reviews and recommendations instead of buying from an unknown source. 

To have the peace of mind with this kind of investment, if you can afford it now it’s best to buy new as then you can be sure on the condition and longevity. Top-notch equipment can easily bring you back in value – there’s always the option of selling it when you feel it’s time to upgrade.