Tack and riding gear shopping

[dannyboy]

I need a new saddle and was looking for some advice please. I want something comfy. Should I go new or would second hand be ok? Leather / synthetic?
I'm currently riding in a 16.5" but it's too small for my ever growing bottom, lol. My bridle is a little worn too so need to splash out - any suggestions? Need new rugs for all the boys but especially CJ so if you know of any bargains, I'm all ears :-)

While I'm in the mood I thought I could do with new jodhpurs, boots etc - I can't decide on what's good for me. What's in, durable and practical?

Even if you know of any really good websites that I can nosey at would be great?

Thanks

[fleabitten]

I would definitely go for proper english leather tack and if you clean it regularly and store it well it will look great for years. doesnt really matter new or second hand, whichever fits you and him the best. murphys is an ideal which is very comfy. Definitely get a saddle fitter out or go to a saddle fitter (old mill probably best bet, they have an arena to try out different saddles too.) murphys bridle is kieffer which seems great, it always looks good, i never have to scrub it very hard to get the dirt off and it soaps up with a nice finish. you can get bridles that are english leather but dont have a brand name which are basically the same but without the name! but make sure it says english leather on the tag because some of the cheap leathers are blank too. dont get pulled in by all the flash nosebands that seem to be on every bridle, just get the same type as he already has of course (although depending on how chunky his head is, a flat cavesson might look very tidy on him?) rubber reins are probably the best type to get, they will be good for everything, easy enough cleaned and hardwearing. go for a size thats comfy in your hand. make sure to get stirrup leathers if you need to, again choose english leather

rugs - no idea as i dont be buying them lol! car boot sales?

well ive had my shires joddies for years, cant remember the last time i bought a pair of jodhpurs - saying that mum has had to sew the crotch area a few times, though the rest of it is hardly worn looking, just a bit faded lol!! i think next time i might get a nice coloury/patterned pair rather than the navy and black ones i have at the minute. id get a pair of beige ones while youre at it so youre prepared for all eventualities!! i wouldnt bother spending big money on beige ones though for all the time you be wearing them. boots - well i love my ariat bromonts but they are a pain to clean, just too many nooks and crannies!! i might go for boots and chaps the next time. ariat are definitely very comfy and i dont regret the money at all cause they are great boots and they have worn ok (i.e. no holes or things coming apart!) if i was shopping for boots id be starting with the ariats for sure. again, go for black so youre prepared for all eventualities lol!
if youre looking gloves too, i wear roeckl (sp) - they are amazing, they fit lovely and wash well, although mine are wearing on the fingers so id say id need a new pair soon. i had a pair of the fleece lined ones but i lost one glove so i just have the ordinary ones.

[zara]

Regarding saddlery I have to have good English leather. Both my saddles are Farrington WH and were fitted by a well respected saddle fitter. I personally wouldn't have a synthetic saddle but they are light, durable and easy to keep clean. My bridles are Stubben and Caldene and both are excellent quality. The Stubben is now 10 years old and apart from AJ having chewed bits of it, it cleans up good as new The Caldene is a comfort bridle with a detachable flash, a really lovely bridle at a good price.

For rugs Premier Equine currently have a sale on and their rugs are excellent and their liner system means that you can by a L/W rug and then get the different liners to make it a M/W or H/W as needed. These rugs can also double up as stable rugs too which can help to save money. I'm also a fan of Horseware for AJ; Tordi has Weatherbeeta's as they fit him better but I don't think they're as good rugs.

My favourite jods are Horseware and I have the soft denim with a suede seat; so comfy and wearing well after several years. My show jods are Gorringe and I don't really like them but then I don't think any "normal" person looks good in white jods. My beige jods were very cheap from Decathalon and they do the job!

For boots, get the best you can afford! I love Ariats but sadly can't run to a pair of Bromonts currently My dressage boots are Regent, they do the job but aren't the most comfortable but that's possibly because I don't wear them enough. My regular long boots are Mountain horse and they are good quality, comfy and a good price. My jod boots are Shires and they look like the Ariat boot; I have however splashed out on Ariat 1/2 chaps and they are so lovely to wear and they look very smart too.

Happy shopping xx

[Blonde Donkey]

I agree with proper english leather. Savvys synthetic saddle makes me all sweaty and it rubs soething chronic, her leather one is simply to die for even though its a pre war hunting saddle, proper english oiled leather is what I would go for everytime.

I have a Caldene bridle that I got on sale when I was showing savs, she's also a bridle chewer but its weathered well with regular cleaning and oiling.

Rugs - look for equestrian boot sales, I spent half my life and much of my wages at them. I got a brand new Weatherbeeta still with tags on in the right size for a fiver as owner was getting rid of all remnants of her horses. Savs lives in shires or weatherbeeta but I never pay full price for them.

I have requisite jodphurs and they've weathered well over the last five years. I love my Dublin short boots and shires chaps, I would kill for a pair of mountain horse long boots though.

[haffyfan]

I would also recommend prem equine rugs and as zara says they have a sale on at min. I also like weatherbeetas.

I'm lazy Zilco tack gets a big thumbs up from me...plus i like colourful tack...but of course if you want to show and don't mind tack cleaning you can't beat good English leather. It'll last forever...a webbing or biothane bridle for everyday use is handy to avoid the cleaning though if you can stretch to both.

I've also got various pairs of robinsons jods and they have all lasted and served me well, I love ariat gear but the price is always a bit gulp at times. Saying that they do last and i have a bit of a thing for their western (cowboy) boots, currently sporting erm maybe 4 pairs, i live in them (literally). Day one in Rome last week my shoes had me with blisters within a couple of hours so the trusty ariats came out and we covered miles and miles each day. Got many a funny look but who cares, i was comfy!

Equestrian Clearance is usually worth a look and Hope Valley Saddlery sometimes have some good stuff discounted.

[brigadier]

Love thorowgood synthetic saddle- dressageT6

I personally wouldnt buy Premier Equine rugs again- they dont reproof very well! plus their MW rubs Basils long neck so if your horse has a long neck avoid- although the HW is a lovely fit but just too....well heavy!

Love love love Micklem bridle- leather is lovely...and you cant argue re ethos

Clothing wise- best value jods- Aldi!!!
I like riding tights as opposed to jodphurs- but now my legs are fatter I might need to review that!

I havent yet found a winter riding jacket that is breathable and actually waterproof and comfy so now I buy whatever is cheap at Sportsdirect- currently have a dunlop waterproof that will go over a fleece. But Im going to invest in a hi vis waterproof winter jacket as per a discussion on here re safety.

Robinsons do end of line bargains re rugs. I like R and R country but their online shop doesnt often reflect the bargains to be had instore.

[racaille]

I have every kind of saddle from posh leather (Forestier) to cheapo synthetic (Wintec) and there are pros and cons to all of them. I love my synthetic Thowogood T4 GP - very very comfy for horse and rider and easy to change shape as and when - and this is something you need to think about with CJ coming into work and changing muscle shape. However, the Wintec, although I don't much like to ride in it, has been an extremely useful saddle - it fits lots of our horses and cost almost nothing second hand.

I splashed out on the Forestier - don't confuse it with the English make Forester - because I spend a lot of time in the saddle on rando and it's like an armchair and because of the way it's cut (high wither with no flaps) it has always fitted Paco - and most horses. The nice leather GP saddle I bought for Paco 10 years ago no longer fits him.

Synthetic is wonderful to look after - you don't need to! I just brush off the 'suede' bits on the TG and wipe off any marks elsewhere. It has leather girth straps which are much easier to use than the plastic Wintec ones. I would recommend a TG saddle without hesitation as your first saddle and with small kids to look after - you don't need the hassle of adding leather maintenance to your busy schedule.

I buy all my tack from UK internet sites like Equestrian Clearance, Equiwear etc and keep an eye on eBay. I buy Weatherbeeta rugs for all my boys as they fit well not only Paco's big Spanish neck but also Sam's TB shoulders. I like the WB travel boots too - never had a problem with them slipping down which is what can cause problems. I would NEVER travel my boys without boots.

Check out Dublin joddie boots for yourself. Very cheap and from the first trying on they are comfortable. I am now on pair no 4. Very good everyday boots.Also Mountain Horse furry lined winter riding joddie boots are gorgeous but a little more expensive.

I have had two Equitheme winter riding jackets - lovely and warm and cover my bum, can't see why anyone would use a short jacket and get a cold/wet backside. But also got a Mountain Horse waterproof jacket which is totally waterproof (unlike many) and also windproof and has proved to be surprisingly useful.

But everyone has their different favourites and this is why we are always broke - there's always something else nice to buy!

[dannyboy]

I'm now the proud owner of a new pair of Ariat, Windermere boots, Ariat denim jods, equi ware brown jacket and horseware polo top - class!!!! Just need a few little things now - saddle and bridle - just my luck there the most expensive :-)