[QUOTE=supershorty628;7527010]
I bought a bright pink, sparkly crop with a star on the end yesterday. Why? Because I could.
Worst purchase ever? Probably… but I feel like someone’s fairy godmother when I carry it around and it makes me giggle.[/QUOTE]
I bought my daughter a purple one. 
She doesn’t use it much since she mostly rides our STBs, but she wanted one for RUS and the smile made it so worth the low price.
I like threads like these, so helpful but also interesting to note certain items on best and worst lists!
My best buys: A very cheap bridle I bought ten years ago for my first horse … it looks pretty slimy and nasty now but I believe it was only about $40, and all that has broken was one keeper. Another would be my GPA Titium, and Ariat half chaps that they don’t make anymore (Ariat leather quality is going downhill imo). I have just replaced all these things in recent months, but they lasted for a good long while! Other things: TS breeches, a Weatherbeeta winter blanket, Herm Sprenger Duo Bits (stupid expensive and get easily chewed BUT they work so wonderfully for my horse), and of course my Butet.
Worst buys: A primitive memory foam pad (don’t know the brand) that I bought seven years ago, used twice, then threw into the black hole known as my tack box. It made my saddle slip back SO bad. It was nice to ride with other than that, though. Another is almost belt I’ve purchased from horsey clothing manufacturer … weird sizing, poor quality, and I just never like them. Also one Weatherbeeta turnout that for some reason had its trim and buckling fall off even though my horse is not hard on it. It still works but it looks so ratty.
Best: Smartpak Harwich leather half chaps (just got them but so far I love them), Back on Track sheet, Beval Gladstone heavy blanket, Quillin leather halters (no substitute), Ariat Lowell shirt, RWR hairnets (for the hunter hair challenged), Voltaire Palm Beach (I hope…I get it next week. Squeeee!).
Worst: I have one of the Thinline with Sheepskin trim and the trim has not held up. The pad is nice to ride on, but disappointed it fell apart in less than a year.
Although it’s just for schooling I like to show some personality but I love my equine couture saddle pad. It’s a light blue chevron with a navy ribbon trim. It just looks awesome! Also a no name bridle I bought off Facebook for 50. Leather is so supple and high quality looking. Came with an awesome set of reins that my husband tried to steal…
Also I scooped up a Collegiate saddle off of ebay for 100. It is an older model with the softest leather I have ever felt. I had to replace the padding over the knee rolls because they were dust on the inside. It has fit every horse I put it on (alhthough I have to use wither relief with the OTTB) and fits me great! Most comfortable saddle ever. It works great for my local schooling/fun shows.
Ariat breeches I got off ebay for $15 and in show condition! Best breeches buy ever.
I just got a beautiful white Essex show shirt, in my size, from Ebay. It was listed for $58, but I offered $30, and they accepted! It is in pristine condition, the old style with chokers–just exactly what I wanted.
Best Buy: Tad Coffin saddle many years ago and SmartPak Harwich bridle.
Equissential full seat breeches…they last forever and seats can be recycled when the pants wear out.
Tredstep 1/2 chaps…last forever
Amigo turnouts
Worst buy: Ariat paddock boots…they are really uncomfortable for me, and don’t like the heel height
Low rise breeches…well, just because
Tell me about that, please.
There are so many scratches cures out there. I’m psyched to learn about one that is on your Best list.
[QUOTE=mvp;7539177]
Tell me about that, please.
There are so many scratches cures out there. I’m psyched to learn about one that is on your Best list.[/QUOTE]
I use Dr. Carroll’s scratches ointment- or my version of it. Of course he wouldn’t tell me what was in it and he sold it for a very reasonable price, so while I was shipping my horse to his facility 1.5 hours away every month, I was happy to stock up. Happily, the horse is now sound, and that drive for scratches ointment is a bit much.
But through careful analysis, aka “This feels and smells really familiar,” I believe it to have been furacin, Desitin, Prep H, and panalog. Which is the mixture that I have used ever since and it works a treat.
BEST
The Corrector pad. Because of this pad I can still use my ancient saddles on the horses I ride. Without the Corrector the horses refuse to extend out at all, with the Corrector under the same saddle the horses extend willingly. It works best under a properly fitting saddle but I can use it under an improperly fitting saddle, adding shims for a too wide saddle. To test the Corrector pad out I put my narrowest saddle on the widest horse I ride (she uses the widest gullet plate on the Wintec Wide) and she still strode forth confidently and stayed cheerful throughout that ride.
Crosby “Wide-Front” saddle. Wonderful leather, wonderful balance, and I can fit into a 17" even though my thighs are LONG. Too bad it is too narrow for modern day horses, so when I ride in it now I use the Corrector pad listed above. I dream of running into a horse that I can use it on without fitting issues.
Back on Track hock boots. Both my riding teacher and I have gotten wonderful results with minimal use.
FITS full seat breeches. I recently lost 20 pounds and these breeches still fit me.
JP bits, I especially like the Dr. Bristol though I had to add some “keepers” to the D-ring.
Moxie half-chaps that have the netting on the outside. These are cool enough so I can use them in the hot muggy Souther summer yet they also kept my calves warm even when it was in the upper twenties with a brisk wind.
Sheepskin seat saver. The seat padding wore out on my ancient saddles causing me great pain. I put the sheepskin seat saver on and now I ride without pain.
WORST
Myler bits. I tried 4 of them on three horses. All three horses disliked them. They would not let me keep contact, either flinging their heads or going WAY behind vertical, the same horses who cheerfully keep contact with the regular or JP bits. A BIG disappointment. The only reason I’m keeping them is that someday I may run into a horse that likes them.
[QUOTE=mvp;7539177]
Tell me about that, please.
There are so many scratches cures out there. I’m psyched to learn about one that is on your Best list.[/QUOTE]
Dr. Witwer is a vet in South Carolina. Really common area for scratches. However, it’s a good general wound ointment for when you really need it to stick (I put it on just about any cut or abrasion, even on places raw from rain rot scabs). It’s furazone based with desitin and some other stuff. The Desitin keeps it somewhat water resistant but it is not as waxy feeling as something like Corona ointment. When I had horses in the south with lots of leg bathing, wet weather, bell boot wear, etc., they all got scratches commonly. This stuff really helps especially if you start using it at the first sign.
I think their office will ship it to wherever. It smells gross and if stored in a warm place will get runny, but it is the best wound ointment. Hands down.
[QUOTE=Renn/aissance;7539198]
I use Dr. Carroll’s scratches ointment- or my version of it. Of course he wouldn’t tell me what was in it and he sold it for a very reasonable price, so while I was shipping my horse to his facility 1.5 hours away every month, I was happy to stock up. Happily, the horse is now sound, and that drive for scratches ointment is a bit much.
But through careful analysis, aka “This feels and smells really familiar,” I believe it to have been furacin, Desitin, Prep H, and panalog. Which is the mixture that I have used ever since and it works a treat.[/QUOTE]
This is pretty close to the recipe I have. Furacin, Desitin, Prep H and maybe something else. I have it written down somewhere.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7540865]
This is pretty close to the recipe I have. Furacin, Desitin, Prep H and maybe something else. I have it written down somewhere.[/QUOTE]
I have heard that mixed up in a paste with Dex added.
If you use something with Prep H, would that show up in drug testing? Wasn’t Ludger Beerbaum’s gold medal stripped in Athens because of a cortisone cream used for scratches or something similar? I’m curious because let’s say my medicine has Prep H in it but I don’t know because the only drug disclosed on the vet’s homemade label is nutrafurazone and the rest of the ingredients are whatever the special recipe is (only the desitin is obvious). I haven’t bought a jug in quite a while, so I don’t know if the label or ingredients have changed at all, but if there was Dex in there or if Prep H could be an issue potentially, we would need to know about it, right?
My recent best buy: Used PJ Lite on ebay. Got a screaming deal and it came in looking brand new. Had a saddle guy look at it because I was so worried that something was very wrong with it to be able to get it at that price and he gave it the seal of approval and even commented that it had only been ridden in a few times, just enough to mark the billets. This buy basically saved me almost $3k as I was looking to buying a new Delgrange.
[QUOTE=vxf111;7540868]
I have heard that mixed up in a paste with Dex added.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think mine had Dex because I only remember having to buy one thing at the tack store. but it seems like there are a number of variations on the theme. 
[QUOTE=mvp;7539177]
Tell me about that, please.
There are so many scratches cures out there. I’m psyched to learn about one that is on your Best list.[/QUOTE]
The recent Horse Care issue of COTH had an article on scratches and people’s “best cures” that might interest you.
This is the best thread. I love knowing people’s experiences with products. Thanks for sharing, everyone.
Best: SmartPak Wellfleet figure 8… Drool. This bridle came out of the package gorgeous and 2 years later it looks new. Much better quality than I expected from the price. And it is damn good looking to boot.
Horze plain raised hunter bridle. I think I paid $40 for this and was expecting pretty much nothing. I was pleasantly surprised by the leather and overall craftsmanship. It is actually quite lovely for $40.
Centaur saddle pads. These things still look great after 4 years of daily use. I bought 4 of them (thanks TOTD) and they are thick, really classy looking, and have held up fantastically.
Ancient Crosby PDN. I am pretty sure it is older than I am. I bought it for $300 about 10 years ago and it taught me to really ride. The leather still looks great, and I don’t think this thing will ever die. It just sits in the tack room now, but it is a real gem.
Irideon fleece breeches. Actually any Irideons. These are so comfortable I want to live in them. They fit fantastically. Like, I get compliments on them when I go out in public. I have a summer and a winter pair, and I need more. Also as a girl with a more than generous booty, these fit me perfectly. Winning.
Also, I just test rode in a new Ovation saddle. I have to say it was awesome. I jumped my guy in a Devacoux, switched to the Ovation, and jumped some more. The Ovation was nearly indistinguishable. I was shocked. The leather is beautiful also. I don’t know how it will hold up, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
Worst:
The only thing I can think of are Devon Aire breeches. I have 3 different pairs, all of which fit wrong, but wrong in completely different ways. Impressive.
New Ariat boots. I used to swear by these as affordable luxury. Then I bought a new pair of challenge pro’s last year. Ugh. Bought them online bc I always buy Ariats and I Know what I wear. Except no. So wrong. They’re beautiful, but the leather is much cheaper than my old ones, and they don’t fit any real sized human. Le sigh.
BEST:
Dover Wool Cooler (Looks expensive and choice of colors)
Tredstep Giotto paddock boots…ankle leather like butter (no pain!)
Tipperary schooling helmet (fits like a dream)
Arames bridle (fabulous leather and workmanship)
Believe it or not my Ovation Showjumping Adj saddle (fits everyone and me as well)
RJ Classic lightweight wool show coat ( I am tall and it fits perfectly)
Ariat technical snap collar show shirt. Fits perfect and it long enough to tuck in!
WORST:
Smartpak Bradley Breech
Ariat Maestro boots and the Pro…totally cheap leather and crap!
[QUOTE=Jackie Cochran;7539221]
BEST
WORST
Myler bits. I tried 4 of them on three horses. All three horses disliked them. They would not let me keep contact, either flinging their heads or going WAY behind vertical, the same horses who cheerfully keep contact with the regular or JP bits. A BIG disappointment. The only reason I’m keeping them is that someday I may run into a horse that likes them.[/QUOTE]
I have the same problem with Mylers. My horse is just ANGRY when I ride with one. She spends the whole time flinging her head or ripping the reins out of my hands. Even with no contact at all, just constant head flinging. It’s now just a decoration in my tack room.
ETA: I guess that’s my worst purchase. Best would be my Stackhouse dressage saddle.
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.
Worst buy EZ Boots
Best buy Back on Track!! I started with gloves and a wrist brace for myself after breaking my wrist…worked so well I got the “ponies” the sheet, neck cover, poll cap…I hear some people complain about the sizing but I was told they run big…bought the normal size both my horses wear and have not problems with the shoulder tab…both my horses are built totally differently and can share the whole set no problem
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