Best and Worst Tack/Clothing Purchases

[dish_face]

funny, my “best” stuff is all my cheap-ish stuff and my “worst” stuff are the things I splurge on

best:

a pair of 8 yr old ariat lace paddock boots. I’ve had to bring them to the cobblers 3 or 4 times, but they are still holding up and have been beatean to hell.

ariat brittany breeches. my mom got me a pair of these on sale from the smartpak store years back and I remember thinking “ick…” they were that awful green beige color and had contrasting tan piping. After years and years of schooling and washing and drying, literally hundreds of time, these breeches, to this day, still have the same shape color elasticity and condition they had when I got them.

2001 CWD- back when CWD was just a fledgling custom saddle company, I got a gorgeous 2001 saddle for around $1500. it fit myself and my horse perfectly…until i got wayyyy too big for it, which brings me to my…

worst

2009 CWD- awful, got this as a replacment for my older one, and there was so much padding everywhere, that I actually felt like there were 4 pillows between my horses back and my butt, I felt like I was sitting wayyy up high, not connected to the horse at all.

TS and Pikeur breeches- I go through these things like water. I stopped w/ the TS around 2009, and have only bought the pikeurs as show breeches since then, and while they fit wonderfully and have such an awesome feel to them at first, they fall apart on me after 20 or so washes…and I, unfortunatley, get dirty no matter how hard I try to stay clean

[Fellbutbackup]

I’m reviving this thread, because it is too fun not to.

BEST:

Passier Grand Gilbert Dressage saddle I bought off CL. It turns out the seller was a GP trainer. She gave me a lesson on her GP stallion in the saddle. I loved meeting her, and I love this saddle. I have used it for four years. It fits me, and the quality leather is a joy to clean. I refuse to “upgrade.”

Smartpak Ultimate Turnout Sheet: Horse tore off the branding right away, which shows how well made the rest of the blanket is. Guy literally started biting it as soon as it was on, and it still shows no wear or tear, except for the missing label that used to say “Smartpak Ultimate.” It also has a 10 year guarantee from a reliable company. Amazing.

Tiger’s Tongue Grooming Tool: Recommended to me by the nice ladies at Equus Now!, I was really skeptical of this. But it does work well and I find myself grabbing it every day. Great for legs, especially before putting on boots. My sensitive TB did not complain about this.

WORST:

ECP Correction Pad. This really is the WORST. The padding all gave in in less than 20 rides. It has amazing reviews everywhere, for some reason I do not understand (probably just because it is cheap). It is the definition of cheap, unreliable, and short lived in terms of longevity. Also my horse’s back was sore after each ride, which went away immediately after switching to a Supracor.

[skipollo]

Best: Ariat Sunstoppers, I have this shirt in almost every solid color they make. They’re my absolute favorite riding shirt, and compared to others they are very reasonably priced. They keep me so cool even when it’s boiling hot outside.

Equestrian Stockholm pads and bonnets. They’re thick but cooling and moisture wicking, they’re stunning, and they are very structured with lots of wither relief. Are they expensive, yes, are they worth it, YES!

Worst: I have a few.
Horze Grand Prix breeches. The material is so-so, and the fit is atrocious. I have curvier thighs and a small waist, and these made me look like I was wearing a bunched up diaper under the breeches. Overall very awkward and just wretched. I sent them back immediately.

LeMieux Loire saddle pads. I ride exclusively in ES pads mentioned above but decided to give the Loire line a try as they look similar. They are not. The materials are quality, but the pads are thin, wither relief seems good statically but structurally it’s very floppy and doesn’t hold while riding. The shape of the pad is off and even the large was too small for my horse who is a very average sized 16.2hh OTTB, like what gives! I sold it immediately after trying it.

Anything Amigo. I’ve tried. I’ve tried to like their products. They’re constant disappointments. Narrow in the chest (again, for my medium bone OTTB…), poor waterproofing, cheap materials, bad stitching, overall just trash blankets. I gave them plenty of chances, but they failed me every single time. Never again!

[ParadoxFarm]

^^^ Huh. Funny. I love my Amigo blankets! :yes:

[Equestrian24]

This is a very fun thread! It’s going to be hard to choose just a few things for best!

Best:

1. Courbette Husar saddles - These are my favorite saddles I have ever ridden in! Very old school and similar to the old Stübben Siegfrieds. Very comfortable for me, fits me perfectly, and seems to be pretty versatile in fit for the horses I use.

2. Miller’s Crosby bridles - I have a HUGE bridle collection ranging from the economy bridles I started out with to some really nice ones I got great deals on (Hadfield’s, Edgewood, older Beval, Dover Wellington, etc.), but my favorites as far as durability go have to be my older Crosbys. They still look great after several years of use and hold up beautifully, plus the leather is great.

3. Jimmy’s Custom, Crosby XL Excel, and Crosby Selle Française girths - The first two are really nice, soft, flexible, thin girths, and the last is a gorgeous padded fancy stitched girth that is also nice and soft. Horses seem to love them, and I haven’t found a prettier girth than the Selle Française in terms of aesthetics. The medium brown is perfect (though not trendy at the moment) and the cream colored fancy stitching sets it off perfectly.

4. PRI Continental pocket pads - I have 4 of these for trail riding and the pockets come in so handy! As always, PRI’s quality is great as well.

5. Shires belt - I was just thinking about how glad I am that I picked up this belt at the tack store, actually! It has no holes, and you just buckle it wherever fits best. It’s nice and stretchy, so comfortable to ride in. I use it as an everyday belt as well.

6. Collegiate Graduate saddle - I sadly outgrew this years ago, but I loved learning to ride in this saddle! The older Collegiates really were excellent for the price.

7. Weaver nylon halters & leads - Nothing fancy, but they last forever and are well made. Great everyday halters.

Worst:

1. Lancer’s Rainbow Reins - They melted before I even got a chance to use them. Shame, because they were the only rubber reins I’ve ever liked the feel of (most are too bulky and stiff for me), but that’s Rainbow Reins for you, plus you get what you pay for.

2. Wintec bridle - I bought this strictly as an “I don’t care what happens to it” schooling/training bridle to send with horses to trainers (since the last time I sent a nice bridle, it got trashed and I caught one hanging it BY THE BROWBAND on the edge of a trailer door; sorry, but I’m really anal about my tack), and it serves its purpose for that, but it’s ugly and stiff, and never really lies flat on a horse’s head. Definitely not something I’d choose as a personal schooling bridle for myself. On the upside, it’s virtually indestructible.

3. Henri de Rivel bridle - Leather has a plasticky, painted on finish and started getting surface cracks after a handful of uses. It’s not the worst bridle I’ve ever seen and looks okay from a distance, but I wouldn’t buy another. To be fair, it was $45 nearly brand new and I bought it because I needed a spare.

4. TuffRider breeches - the button came off, leaving a staple, which scratched my saddle as I dismounted (luckily, it buffed out with some leather conditioner), and they were uncomfortable and constantly rode down.

[c0608524]

BEST:
-This CHEAP leather halter with pink detailing. So soft, especially at the price ($40 CAD)

• My Antares bridle. So soft and beautiful.
• Kask helmet. It fits me like a dream and is SO flattering.

WORST:

• Ogilvy half pad. They were SO trendy when I got it and totally fell for the hype. It effected saddle fit terribly and I felt perched in the tack.

[adultammylife]

Best:

Hunt Club Derby Belts - I have several of these and they are the only thing I ride in now. They are SO comfortable and I love the fun designs.

Worst:

Smartpak Piper Breeches - I bought these when they first came out so I’m not sure if the fabric has been updated at all but the version I had I found to be very heavy and pilled a lot.

[SillyHorse]

Best:

Brand new Fleeceworks package of two dressage saddle pads and the sheepskin panels for $45 in the consignment area of a mainly hunter/jumper tack shop.

Worst:

Too many to pick from. More than one saddle in this category.

[ktm_here]

@50ShadesOfHay

BEST: Animo Breeches! Hands down the most comfortable and well made breeches I have ever worn. I got 2 pairs on sale!

They are really the most well thought out breeches out there, IMO.

I so agree. Pricy but I since I know my size, I get them from european tack stores. Hands down amazing.

[blondewithchrome]

@adultammylife

Worst:

Smartpak Piper Breeches - I bought these when they first came out so I’m not sure if the fabric has been updated at all but the version I had I found to be very heavy and pilled a lot.

totally agree. I always try them as a “bargain” schooling breech and am so disappointed in them. The fit isn’t great and the god awful logo stitched on the pocket and then also on the back is just way too loud for my taste. I learned my lesson with them.

Now, the Dover Wellesley breech…one of my absolute favorite finds.

[Fellbutbackup]

@blondewithchrome

totally agree. I always try them as a “bargain” schooling breech and am so disappointed in them. The fit isn’t great and the god awful logo stitched on the pocket and then also on the back is just way too loud for my taste. I learned my lesson with them.

Now, the Dover Wellesley breech…one of my absolute favorite finds.

How does the fit differ? I’ve been interested in the Wellesleys.

[blondewithchrome]

@Fellbutbackup

How does the fit differ? I’ve been interested in the Wellesleys.

I bought them in 6 different colors LOL! I am short torsoed, long legs. I find they are a flattering high rise with the appropriate waist-to-hip ratio; where I find the Pipers are ill-fitting is this measurement…I am a true 28R in the Wellesleys but the 28R Piper is fine in the waist then baggy through the hip and seat, which only gets worse with washing and wear. I know it’s not a fashion show but dear god, the loose and baggy butt area is not flattering in the least! The 26R in the Piper is just too small in the waist for me. I will add I am a 30R in TS.

[Fellbutbackup]

@blondewithchrome

I bought them in 6 different colors LOL! I am short torsoed, long legs. I find they are a flattering high rise with the appropriate waist-to-hip ratio; where I find the Pipers are ill-fitting is this measurement…I am a true 28R in the Wellesleys but the 28R Piper is fine in the waist then baggy through the hip and seat, which only gets worse with washing and wear. I know it’s not a fashion show but dear god, the loose and baggy butt area is not flattering in the least! The 26R in the Piper is just too small in the waist for me. I will add I am a 30R in TS.

Interesting. I have the exact opposite problem with the Pipers. Everything fits, but the waist is too large. Thanks for sharing. I guess I will avoid Wellesleys.

[Bristol_Bay]

@blondewithchrome

I bought them in 6 different colors LOL! I am short torsoed, long legs. I find they are a flattering high rise with the appropriate waist-to-hip ratio; where I find the Pipers are ill-fitting is this measurement…I am a true 28R in the Wellesleys but the 28R Piper is fine in the waist then baggy through the hip and seat, which only gets worse with washing and wear. I know it’s not a fashion show but dear god, the loose and baggy butt area is not flattering in the least! The 26R in the Piper is just too small in the waist for me. I will add I am a 30R in TS.

Some colors are on sale for $60, so with free returns, I have to give them a try.

[Fellbutbackup]

@Bristol Bay

Some colors are on sale for $60, so with free returns, I have to give them a try.

Dover returns are extremely back logged, so buy at your own risk. They told me possibly a month and a half. And would not refund even with tracking.

[billiebob]

@billiebob

Best: Horze Active breeches and smooth leather half chaps, Roma saddle pads and tendon boots, Tropical Rider tights, Redback boots, Ariat softshell jacket, Five Star Tack Chelsea bridle.

Worst: I will never buy another pair of Ariat or Blundstone boots again. I know I’m hard on my boots but I expect them to last more than three weeks.

Smartpak, I love you dearly but your new breeches wreaked havoc on my self esteem when I tried them on. It’s not fun having to size up, but especially not 3 sizes and have them still be too tight :no:

Thought it would be fun to update after 7 1/2 years…

Still the best: Redback boots, Five Star Tack bridle (this is now 9 or 10 years old and STILL cleans up to look almost brand new), Roma saddle pads. I still like Tropical Rider tights but like…please add phone pockets. Pretty please.

New bests: PS of Sweden saddle pads, Classic Equine polo wraps, Kastel shirts, Shires Stormcheeta 2000D blankets, Gary Mundy stirrup leathers, Lazer Amulet dressage saddle, Koenig half chaps.

Worst: Centaur Climatex polo wraps – I just can’t get them to wrap nicely so maybe it’s just me, quality-wise they seem fine. Blundstone boots are still a big fat no. I also tried both kinds of Ogilvy half pads and while I liked the gummy version a lot I hated the feel of the thicker one.

[GleesBid]

Best: When I was living in the Netherlands, I bought a BR helmet. I love how comfortable it is and it’s a great value for the price. I’d say it’s on par with my wonderful OneK helmet.
(I think they’re available from some tack shops in the Americas)

[shmon]

@ktm_here

I so agree. Pricy but I since I know my size, I get them from european tack stores. Hands down amazing.

@ktm_here what european tack stores do you buy from?

[Ceffyl_Dwr]

Hits
Clothing:
Aisling Equestrian: Their clothing is stunning, well made, and so different from the usual offerings. They also ship quickly (I’ve had packages arrive in three days from Sweden!).
DadaSport: Just really cool clothing and a source for unique Helite airvest shells and jackets, if you need.

Tack:
Bridle: Edgewood. I know it’s not an exciting choice, but they has a solid reputation for a reason.
Leather Halter: Chicks. Leather breakaway with engraving for $30? Yes, please.
Saddle: Black Country. The customizations and the price point can’t be matched. Patty Merli in South Carolina is the rep that I worked with. She’s great.
Acavallo Just Gel Pad: It keeps my saddle in place and hopefully helps dull my bounce!

Misses
I’m not in love with Bobby’s Tack or Nunn Finer bridles. For the price, I don’t think the leather quality is great. I also take issue Tailored Sportsman. For $200 I shouldn’t have metal hooks (on the inside of the breeches) cutting into my skin.

[add_leg]

@ktm_here

I so agree. Pricy but I since I know my size, I get them from european tack stores. Hands down amazing.

Seriously, I keep searching for something I like as much to no avail. I do have a pair of Carma Italia I love, but that’s not exactly saving money.
I’ve bought a lot of mine off eBay from international sellers.