Many years ago when I owned a horse, if I needed to buy horse supplies my parents drove me to a feed shop about 30 minutes away.  Now a days I only need to walk over to my computer and find a tack shop online.

When I bought my horse, I didn’t know where to buy horse supplies. There were some tack stores in town but they only carried certain items. And there weren’t places to buy western show clothing. (I show in western pleasure and trail class.)  However, after searching on the Internet, I found many places to shop for horse supplements, tack, and show clothing.

Caveat: When you buy an item online, especially clothing, the item’s color on your monitor may look different than it’s actual color. The reason is your monitor may display certain colors differently.

Used Items

Because horse items are expensive, we want to shop for the best deals. I like to buy used working tack and show equipment to save money. I even buy used custom show clothes online that look almost new. Here are my favorite shopping sites for used items:

Ebay – Used and new horse equipment, such as saddles, bridles, wraps, pads, etc. sold by individuals and online stores. I have bought many items off of Ebay, including show clothes, bridles, halters and a saddle! I have never had any problems. However, I would recommend going with a trusted seller to be safe.

Tack Trader – New and used show clothing and tack

Horse Saddle Shop – Quality western saddles both new and used

The Clotheshorse Connection – Consignment show clothes and tack

New Items

Schneider Saddlery – western tack for both Quarter and Arab horses

Sergeants Western World – western saddles and bridles for every day or show and western show apparel

Stateline Tack – an online store specializing in both English and Western horse tack

Horse.com – horse tack, including saddles, bridles, bits, pads and horse supplies

Rods – specializes in Western wear and clothing, cowboy boots, hats, gifts and horse tack

Smith Brothers – online horse catalog for horse tack and apparel

Supplements

SmartPak Equine – horse supplies and equine supplements

Equine Direct – equine and dog supplements

Have I missed any of your favorite sites? Please email or leave me a comment if I have.

photo by cogdogblog’s

I have a beautiful pair of romal reins that I bought on Ebay. What I don’t like about these reins are the chicago screws. I think they are a pain to attach and detach, since each time it requires you to use a screwdriver to remove the screws. The other problem is that the screws can loosen and fall out when you are riding. This has happened to me several times.

One solution to this problem someone told me is to paint each screw’s threads with clear nail polish to ensure it doesn’t unscrew. However, after each show I detach the reins from my bit so this means repeating the process each time.

New Product

Now someone has come up with a nifty new invention called the Smart Lock System (SLS) concho, which you can use instead of chicago screws. the SLS concho is not a screw but a pin. It has a small wedge on the pin that depresses when pushed. To install the concho, insert the pin and snap. To remove the concho, depress wedge and push out.

I haved tried the SLS conchos on my romel reins and they work great. The only downside is they are more expensive than chicago screws. (The SLS concho costs $10.95 versus a package of 6 chicago screws for $2.50. Personally, I think it is worth the money.

You can find the SLS concho at Schneiders.

Have you tried these yet?

Get the Basics

To begin with, you will only need the basics. You can buy these used or new from your local tack store, tack swaps, or online sites. For a list of online sites, see my post entitled 12 Websites to Buy Horse Supplies.

In addition to buying tack or grooming supplies you will need to look for a vet, dentist, and a shoer. Get suggestions from your barn mates or trainer. (You may have selected a vet already since you should have had a vet check the health of your new horse.) After you try them out, you can decide if you like your choices.

I have created a list of the basics you need to buy for your first horse. Here they are:

• halter* and lead rope
• lunge whip
• lunge line
• grooming supplies: stiff brush, soft brush, hoof pick, rag, curry, comb/brush, fly spray, detangler for manes and tails like Cowboy Magic, thrush treatment like Thrush Buster, ointment for cuts and scrapes like Horseman’s Dream veterinary cream
• blanket*
• wraps or sports boots*
• bridle*, bit, reins and chin strap
• saddle with cinch*
• saddle pads/blankets*
• feed bucket
• grooming bucket
• washing supplies like shampoo and condioner
• tack cleaning supplies
• first aid kit

*You will need to size these items for your horse.

Note: Be sure you also know what type of hay to feed and what type of supplements if any.

Now enjoy yourself and get shopping! Please let me know what I missed. Thanks.

Photo by greenchartreuse