What is OK to have for your lesson horse

[KingRocker4Life]

Hi guys! I recently have been pondering my leasing obsession of my lesson horse that I ride and I found that it Is not gonna be possible to lease him for a little while. So…I thought that I could possibly buy some tack, like a saddle pad or something for him instead to bring with me to lessons.

However, I was questioning if this would be rude or if it would be ok to do. I know that it is ultimitelly up to my coach if I can or not but I don’t want to even bring up the topic if it would seem rude.

So what do you all think? Thanks!

[Calvincrowe]

I’d think you could easily use your own saddle pads, as long as they are in line with what the barn uses/what your lesson horse takes normally. Same with a girth of your own (same as he regularly uses). You could have your own brushes/grooming supplies, too. Maybe just check in with your coach about your plans. Good luck and have fun!

[KingRocker4Life]

Thanks! Are there any brands that you would recommend?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I would see no issue in having your own “accessories”, as long as they were similar to what the barn uses. If I recall, you are riding English, so for a good quality hunter pad, you might look at Wilkers. Might make sense to get something that is dual purpose to start with - that would suit for schooling and showing. That way your money goes farther.

[KingRocker4Life]

Thanks. I will take a look at them. Do they charge extra to ship to the US? Or are they located here?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Wilkers is a US company, located in Franklin, TN.

And many retailers carry them too… so if you have a coupon or they are having a sale, buying from Smartpak or Dovers or whatever…

[KingRocker4Life]

ok. I looked. I don’t particularly care for them. The patterns are a little too babyish for me right now, especially since the hore I will be using it on seems to look more sophisticated. The price isn’t too great either. but I will keep them in mind.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Well, price is relative. You can pay $15 - $20 for something that might last 6 months and 4 to 5 washings, or $60 for something that might just last 10 - 15 years.

[Renn_aissance]

Check with your instructor and make sure that whatever you purchase is kept scrupulously clean, especially if you share it across multiple horses. Wash the saddle pad after each use, etc. Skin conditions can be spread from horse to horse if commonly-shared products aren’t kept clean.

At our farm, the most common equipment that a lesson student will own is a saddle pad with the student’s monogram. The farm puts in an order every year for monogrammed pads with the farm logo and a lot of our lesson students have purchased one by now. As for brands, my Franconia saddle pads are going on 15 years old. Whatever I paid then, it was worth it.

[Scribbler]

I would not buy anything until I was riding the horse and then I would ask the coach. You will need to make sure the pad or girth fits the saddle you will use and that it is the right type. Horses can be very fussy about girths. Horse may be using a special pad for whatever reason. I would expect the coach to provide clean appropriate good condition tack with the horse.

For instance I would not want a leaser bringing their own pad or girth to ride my horse. She needs a high withers pad and a shaped girth.

[friedmas]

When I was younger and was lessoning on a school horse I bough him tons of tack that I just adored! My trainer always double checked to make sure it was the appropriate size and it would be comfortable for him, but I ended up with my own grooming tote, saddle pad, and a bridle with silly sparkles on it that looked ridiculous on the poor guy!

As as long as your trainer is generally easy going and isn’t overly harsh or not picky on the aesthetic of equipment, I see no problem in asking!

[jonem004]

The horse has his own tack. I would save that money for an extra lesson or two.

[jumpsnake]

I think a lot of kids, and adults too, have this urge because they want to feel some ownership of the horse. I get it, as someone who only Leases.

dont spend a lot on equipment for a horse you don’t own. A saddle pad may be ok. My suggestion though is to spend extra time with the horse, maybe buy some fancy treats (with coach approval!).

[KingRocker4Life]

thanks everyone. I will check with my trainer. I ride at my trainers property, which is her house with a run in and a riding ring. I only ride 1 horse as that is all that she has that is suitable for me. I am not gonna go crazy with tack what so ever as I would rather spend that money on an extra lesson or two. BUT I do want to feel some sort of ownership of this horse.

[skydy]

As a beginning student, your money might be better spent on books (unless you have plenty to spend).
I find used books to be a good bargain, I never buy new.

[Jenerationx]

You could get yourself a grooming kit, can’t really go wrong with that as you can clean brushes if/when you move on to another horse.

[PintoPony]

Maybe a halter and lead in whatever material the owner approves of? If nylon is ok, get it in a color that you like and looks snazzy on the horse. Nylon is easy to clean and lasts forever.

I also think a grooming kit is a great idea.

[KingRocker4Life]

ok. any good brands of brushes?

[CHT]

My long term lesson riders seem to like buying some of their own stuff. Things like brush boots, saddle pads, brushes, hair moisturizer, their own halter and lead rope. Buy things similar to what your barn uses, and put your name on it.

I like shopping for horse brushes in person so I can feel how they fit my hand, and the softness of the bristles.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I prefer the old fashioned wood block brushes myself. As I’ve gotten older, I really dislike adding more plastic and synthetic stuff into the environment if I can help it. Champion and Decker make good wood block brushes in many different fiber fills - from super soft to super hard. They are carried at a lot of online stores and you might find them on Amazon.

I have wood block brushes that are nearly as old as I am. LOL When cared for properly, they last forever.