Money We’ve Wasted

[outside_leg]

@Mersidoats

I bought a couple expensive matchy-matchy pad and polo sets because advertising and self-soothing via shopping.

Oh man. During the pandemic, I definitely bought multiple sets of those PS of Sweden and Equestrian Stockholm jump pads and bonnets. I don’t know why. I think there was something about being stuck at home, not having anything to do or anywhere to go, it did something to my brain. I’m not a matchy-matchy person. I like white or black saddle pads. I truly don’t know what possessed me. But at least I was able to resell them on FB and recoup most of my money.

But yeah. That was a bad choice on my part lol

[Blugal]

Stuff. Lots of stuff that didn’t work or fit or got destroyed or stolen.

As far as horses, I’ve made bad purchases, or good purchases that have had bad luck.

But I don’t regret, like another poster above, keeping my best horse instead of selling him, and competing him as far as I could. It cost a lot for the last 2 years as there was a lot of travel; and it was worth it.

[Moss]

I bought so many fly sheets, fly boots, fly junk that my horse absolutely demolished.

I also bought leg protection that I don’t really use.

Like so many other people, I’m a bit hoarder. I think that’s an equestrian problem, though. I love reading up on bit engineering and horse mouth physiology, and then I think, “oh, I think I would love this bit!” And now I have four bridles with about ten bit bits for one horse.

I also have so much grooming stuff that I need to part with. One of my issues is that some of my things belonged to beloved previous horses, so I don’t want to use or part with those things. It’s kind of sentimental and ridiculous.

I have a TON of saddle pads and breeches, but I actually use those (believe it or not).

[GraceLikeRain]

@outside_leg

During the pandemic, I definitely bought multiple sets of those PS of Sweden and Equestrian Stockholm jump pads and bonnets. I don’t know why. I think there was something about being stuck at home, not having anything to do or anywhere to go, it did something to my brain

Holy cow I’d forgotten about that! Facebook sales groups also went absolutely insane with people buying and reselling them. At the time my pony was anti ear bonnet but I have gosh probably 10 pads now sitting in storage because I don’t have anything remotely pony sized. Another regret I forgot about.

[Syrynx]

Fly sheets. I have 3 different brands (and sizes) that I don’t use because my horses just stand around sweating in them.

I have tubs of stuff I don’t use anymore that I really really need to go through and maybe try to sell.

[Paint_Party]

I used to maintain what I called my “bit museum.” Now that I ride western, I thought I’d changed my ways. But last time I looked, I had 4 bridles for one horse, including two pair of nearly identical romal reins. Why? Because: reasons.

I also have 3 pair of one particular style of spur because I love them and am afraid they suddenly won’t be made anymore. I think that fits the definition of hoarding.

[quietann]

Bradoons can be great as snaffle bits for horses with very little room in their mouths.

[Spudsmyguy]

A Trauma Void helmet I wore a total of one time when I had to stop riding due to hip pain.
A very nice pair of tall boots worn maybe 3 times due to the above

[Jackie_Cochran]

I spent a lot of money buying stainless steel bits, mostly 5" for my Anglo-Arab and 4 1/2" for my Arabians and my Paso Fino mare, plus a few 4 1/4" bit for my kid’s POA.

Then I spent even more money getting all the Fager bits that might work with my hand problems in most of their sizes. I just ride lesson horses now, which means that one week I could possibly ride a horse that NEEDS a 4 1/2" bit and the next week ride a horse that NEEDS a 5" or 5 1/4" bit. I’ve bought the bits whose mouthpieces look promising for working with my hands now that I finally KNOW what works with my hands.

Due to this bit hoarding habit my riding teacher uses me as a bit bank for stainless steel bits and the titanium coated “rainbow bits” I found on-line around a decade ago. It sure saves her the expense of buying a different bit when HER bit library does not have what she needs.

One day when I was collecting stainless steel double bridle bits of all sizes I ran into these super, super cute little 3.5’ and 4" Weymouth curbs and bought them. I showed them to my riding teacher and she immediately borrowed the 4" one long term for a super pesky 12 hand or so lesson pony she had gotten that never, ever wanted to obey his snaffle bit.

Years later this is still his bit for riding lessons.

Plus the multitude of bitless bridles of various styles and sizes that I might really NEED one day if I want to go on riding if my MS gets a lot worse.

Did I waste my money? Possibly, but I never worry about having a bit that a horse will like enough so he/she consents to obey my rein aids.

[AllSport]

I like this thread. I totally forgot about my Pivo until someone mentioned it. When I could get it to track well the quality wasn’t great. I had wayyyy better video just setting my phone up on the fence and pressing record. I bought boots that I spent a great deal of time making sure would work, and they don’t work. I wore them a lot at home, sitting, standing, stairs, etc and thought they were great. First ride in them–deep bloody gashes behind my knees. Too painful to keep going and hope they drop. Oh, and so far my $$ Mattes half pad that everyone said I’d never regret hasn’t been used at all. My $50 half pad from years back works perfectly. I guess I hope one day I’ll need the Mattes? But that would mean I might have saddle fit issues so maybe I don’t hope that?

[RMJacobs]

I forgot to include two expensive things I bought during the short time I was taking driving lessons, just to be able to drive again. I replaced my helmet and the hiking boots I drove in. Then I promptly stopped doing lessons because I was having too many physical problems. I can use the boots as snow boots (if I ever leave the house when there’s snow on the ground). But the helmet just sits. I should give it away; I used it once.

[quietann]

Supplements, mostly.

That stupid expensive Trilogy Debbie McDonald saddle, that really did not fit either of us, and led to two of Feronia’s spinous processes nearly touching. After I switched to a Black Country trail saddle, her spine X-rays were much better.

All the various injections, treatments etc Feronia got, when vets were completely unwilling to look at her knees. She had her first knee X-rays at 25, after retirement, and the vet said the arthritis was bad enough that she should have been very slow and careful, and often not willing to move at all. Which isn’t the case even 2 years later.

The occasional horse show where I chickened out, after paying hundreds of dollars.

[Paint_Party]

@Spudsmyguy

A very nice pair of tall boots worn maybe 3 times due to the above

Ugh. I forgot about my pair of tall boots. They’re the brand Dover sells but I think they’re made in Italy and are actually quite nice for showing. I think I wore them maybe 20 times. They’ve been sitting in their boot bags since the last Paint show over a year ago. Because I have tall, thin calves, I can’t find anyone who wants/needs them. And I hate the hassle of ebay.

So I think I’m going to donate them to our local Humane Society thrift store that helps support our shelter. (They have a horse section).

[Blugal]

Ugh you all weren’t supposed to remind me of my tall boots!!! I have 2 or 3 pairs brand new in my garage because they never fit right. Now the styles are different so it’s not as if I can sell them for what I paid. So I keep telling myself I might fit in them later, or maybe I’ll get them stretched, or…

[Paint_Party]

Maybe we can start a fashion trend?

[Moss]

Well, looks like I have some things for sale…

[Libby2563]

@seabreeze

What have you purchased for equine use that you have discovered you didn’t use, didn’t like, found it ineffective, etc.?

Every fly spray ever.

[Blugal]

@Libby2563

Every fly spray ever.

You nailed it. The only fly spray that’s been truly effective is industrial grade deet-based spray my Dad buys by the case for his work (land surveying in countryside, deep woods, ponds, etc.) That stuff is toxic and probably carcinogenic, and it works.

[RMJacobs]

My experience is that Piranha fly spray is better than nothing…just barely. In Colorado, I sprayed multiple times a day. In South Carolina, I would spray and the noseeums would be all over my pony ten minutes later. It was always a losing battle.

[Paint_Party]

@Blugal

That stuff is toxic and probably carcinogenic, and it works.

I’m waiting for there to be some kind of statistical study that reveals a higher incidence of… something… in horsewomen who’ve provided years of hands-on care to their horses. And it’ll be linked to the use of fly spray.