Discuss: Your favorite *cheap* tack. What exceeded your expectations?

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=Dewey;8098480]
OK, I think the OP wants to hear about things that are not top-of-the-line items bought on discount, but about brands often considered second-rate that actually have turned out to be of better-than-expected quality.

Personally, I have an Ovation martingale that is very nice. A cheapo schooling bridle from Stateline (I think the brand name they used was “Nottingham”) I bought ten years ago for DD has seen heavy use and still cleans up beautifully for shows. The Bobby’s fancy-stitched hunter bridle and matching breastplate I bought for her later are just gorgeous; she always get compliments on them.[/QUOTE]

You know, OP posted about how she can’t afford top of the line stuff. Well, neither can I at full price. I just posted about one strategy for getting better stuff than I could otherwise get. I don’t see how that’s a problem. It’s like telling someone to buy used instead of new when looking at budget saddles, people do it all the time.

I, meanwhile, will keep an eye out for a horse size hunter bridle of nice quality, and if I see one I’ll let OP know. Right now all my favorite haunts for finding deals either have a flash or jumper reins on their offerings.

But, for example, there are three Edgewoods in cob size on Ebay for around $100 brand new, which my 16h TB wears because they run big. You could add reins to those for $50 from the Vespucci outlet and have something really nice for little more than the price of an HDR or Dover Crown. That’s still more expensive than OP was looking for I think, but an example. I’ll poke around for something better but that’s the best I see at the moment.

[IPEsq]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8098562]
Crown & Suffolk bridles from Dover ($20-$50)
Tony Slatter Martingale ($20)
Courbette bridles (used sell cheap, ~$40)
Ainsley Saddle ($500 and people ask if it’s a french saddle :eek: )
Bobby’s English Tack leather goods ($100-$200 but worth it)
Schneider’s Blankets (have one that is 10y/o, still looks brand new)[/QUOTE]

I have several Courbette bridles from the '80s still going strong! Love them!

[One_Two_Three]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8098571]
You know, OP posted about how she can’t afford top of the line stuff. Well, neither can I at full price. I just posted about one strategy for getting better stuff than I could otherwise get. I don’t see how that’s a problem. It’s like telling someone to buy used instead of new when looking at budget saddles, people do it all the time.

I, meanwhile, will keep an eye out for a horse size hunter bridle of nice quality, and if I see one I’ll let OP know. Right now all my favorite haunts for finding deals either have a flash or jumper reins on their offerings.

But, for example, there are three Edgewoods in cob size on Ebay for around $100 brand new, which my 16h TB wears because they run big. You could add reins to those for $50 from the Vespucci outlet and have something really nice for little more than the price of an HDR or Dover Crown.[/QUOTE]

LOVE GOOD DEALS. Doesn’t matter what they are. Yes yes, I did say “cheapo stuff that made you go wow” but any tips tricks and good finds are welcome! Love it all!

[billiebob]

Smartpak Thinsulate turnout–between sales and a gift certificate, paid $35 and it’s going strong after winter #6.

Gatsby bridle–$20 on ebay 7 years ago. The reins did die last year, but the rest of it won’t. Which makes me kind of sad because I can’t justify buying another bridle until it dies.

Random no-name hunting breastplate–bought used 12 years ago for $10, still going strong and currently used to hold a big western saddle in place on the fat cowpony.

HdR 5 point breastplate–this one was $90ish four years ago. It still looks really good with 4-5x/week use and cleaning every few weeks.

Roma sheepskin half pad–$40 7 years ago, just now looking to replace it with something fancier.

I have a few more but these are the best ones I can think of right now.

[yellowbritches]

I have a Tory breast girth that was not pricey that I have used the crap out of for a few years now. With the exception of some rust on the rings (which you can’t see anyway) it is lovely and rugged. Definitely a nice piece of tack, and while it is simple (no elastic, very plain design), it is very good looking.

I’ve had my hands on a variety of SP’s tack (have a couple of Wellfleets), and have been really impressed with all of it, even their low end stuff.

I will always be a fan of Berney Bros saddles for inexpensive, durable, well made, well balanced saddles. They’re hard to beat.

[Cabaret_SK]

[QUOTE=One Two Three;8098540]
I am debating purchasing a schneiders blanket for the new guy. For horses who aren’t “special” in turn out, I have never had a problem with cheap blankets.[/QUOTE]

See, my first horse was hard on his blankets and never destroyed it. Current horse is easy on them…but is the low man on the totem pole, so his buddies like to destroy his blankets. They shredded an Amigo, and a Rambo flysheet. Can’t touch the Schneiders, or his Rambo turnout.

[rb5007]

Just bought 2 bridles on ebay from English tack stores and LOVE them. Super quality leather and look like $500 bridles - except they were $150.

[french_fry]

I always recommend the cheap Schneider’s bridles ($30-$50 range) although I just realized I haven’t purchased one new in a few years so definitely do your own research. Mine have always been great bridles for the money.

I would not recommend the Smartpak bridles. My Plymouth Elite was basically plastic and the color rubbed off in several places. Smartpak said they were looking into it with the manufacturer but I never heard if they rectified the situation.

[roamingnome]

Horse moved to new trainer, new trainer put a Dy’on bridle on him, he’d never been so soft and supple in his life. Looked up price of Dy’on bridle :eek:

I set an EBay alert, saw one pop up- $150 for hunter bridle WITH reins. 75% off new. And it was in perfect condition, used, but perfect! Not cheap, but the trade off for a supple and happier horse is quite high!

I recommend the Ebay Alerts if there’s a specific product/brand you’re looking for!

[VA_Hunter_Aside]

Shires Blenheim (or maybe it’s the James Sterling line) flat hunt bridle. Always soft even though I’ve only lightly oiled it like once a year or less.

$15 no-name bridle I talked my mom into buying at a feed co-op when I was 9 (and did not have a horse), was still in excellent condition when I finally got a horse at 22.

Ditto for the first brushes I ever owned (since 9 years old), I actually desperately wanted new brushes but they were in such good shape 15 years later despite regular use. Eventually they got lost or eaten by farm dogs after a few barn changes, but I still have my first curry comb and it hasn’t gotten that dry/cracked rubber rot the newer ones get after just a couple years.

[ambar]

I have a Wintec with the adjustable gullet that has made my (flat-backed, low-withered, round-barreled) horses much happier than various leather saddles we have tried at 4 times the price. I love leather, but my horses love this saddle. OK then!

[HiHopes]

I bought a cheapy wintec 250 Ap saddle for my old horse. I was fresh out of Uni and with my first paycheck went and bought an OTTB and the Wintec! I fitted the gullet myself and had a couple of years fun with the horse and saddle doing mini eventing and jumpers up to 3ft and dressage and all sorts without any hint of trouble.
Then I met my husband who spoiled me with a posh jumping saddle and dressage saddle. Both brand spanking new buffalo leather, made to measure, master saddler fitted for the same horse… 3 months later, horse wouldn’t walk over a pole and was so naughty out hacking I didn’t know what to do.
Turned out my expensive new saddles didn’t fit despite all the money and time and gave my mare deep rooted muscle pain. Sold both saddles for a fraction of what I paid and guess what… ended up using the old Wintec again!!
Sadly that horse passed away of colic and the Wintec went on to be used on my mums horse for a bit. With a pad and a narrower gullet it fitted fine. Then I got a new horse and the Wintec was used for that one as well, I did get a leather saddle for the new horse. Another made to measure… Black country this time. Fitted for a year and then horse outgrew it and I sold it on for more lost money… and yep… out came the wintec again!
It’s pretty old now and is not used every day but it’s still there in the tack room being used as a spare. It’s suffered all sorts of abuse and it’s still useable.

I do like having leather saddles but sometimes you just want something that fits because a saddle can be the most expensive, gold and diamonds saddle ever but if it doesn’t fit it may as well be made of wire.

Other bits of tack that have lasted through the years are the woof brushing boots and I had a Saxon lightweigh blanket that seemed to last forever as well.

I can afford nice tack now but I won’t spend the money because I know you don’t need too. Honestly a 6/7k saddle couldn’t interest me less, I just want one that fits and I’ve been sacred off m2m now because you just don’t know what is going to happen to the horse. They change shape all the time or go lame or you move onto another horse… I spend the money on handbags instead :p.

[Bristol_Bay]

I third the Gatsby bridles. They are very nice for the price. Very soft leather.

I got my beloved Aramis event bridle on eBay for around $60. My saddle is a gorgeous Pessoa I got used on craigslist, and my Kent and Masters dressage saddle was bought off eBay.

[Belmont]

http://m.statelinetack.com/item/exselle-half-pad/SLT901314/

This bad boy has held up for years. I even preferred it over my Ogilvy…

[Dewey]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8098571]
You know, OP posted about how she can’t afford top of the line stuff. Well, neither can I at full price. I just posted about one strategy for getting better stuff than I could otherwise get. I don’t see how that’s a problem. It’s like telling someone to buy used instead of new when looking at budget saddles, people do it all the time.

I, meanwhile, will keep an eye out for a horse size hunter bridle of nice quality, and if I see one I’ll let OP know. Right now all my favorite haunts for finding deals either have a flash or jumper reins on their offerings.

But, for example, there are three Edgewoods in cob size on Ebay for around $100 brand new, which my 16h TB wears because they run big. You could add reins to those for $50 from the Vespucci outlet and have something really nice for little more than the price of an HDR or Dover Crown. That’s still more expensive than OP was looking for I think, but an example. I’ll poke around for something better but that’s the best I see at the moment.[/QUOTE]

I stand corrected. Hope you’re not offended.

[Another_Poster]

I got a cheap bridle from Dover that is Crown and Suffolk. I think it was $35. Beautiful soft leather and doing great after 5+ years.

[vxf111]

At a trade show I bought a $40 Perri’s professional line bridle figured I’d throw it in the trailer as a spare. Oiled it up and DANG if it didn’t feel and look like Segdewick’s leather. It’s nicer than some $200 bridles. Wish I’d bought them all up!

[vxf111]

Crowne and Suffolk are 2 different lines at Dover. The Suffolk is very entry level and IMHO total junk. The Crowne is nicer leather and fully acceptable at a low price point. Worth paying a little more from the Crowne.

[MB]

Fancy stitched HDR padded monocrown bridle. Under $100 and I think it looks just as nice as ones several times that price.

[Inclined]

Two cheap saddles that I really like are an old Thorowgood and a Barclay close contact (similar to a PDN). They cost practically nothing on ebay (think $25 - 50), and the balance on both of them is good. One of my all-time favorite cheap tack finds are the composite stirrups that Jeffers sells. They’re great for sore joints, and they’re hard to lose.