The Ins And Outs Of The Horse’s Wardrobe

Back again? Thats impressive, you are more committed than me. By now, you have a good understanding of how to shut the gate-well hopefully anyway and you also now underrstand that a quick yard visit is nothing sort of an outright lie.

So naturally with any hobby there are benefits and drawbacks to each. You would be naive to think that one benefit of owning a horse would be that it is not that expensive. Well, it is time to sit down as we need to talk as everything in the horse world costs more than your car, especially the horses tack.

So simply, what is tack? In reality, tack is these small mystery items (apart from the saddle, that is huge) that all cost a lot of money but they are all things that the horse defiantly needs. Also remember that horse people like to cover every eventuality having numerous of each, ‘just in cases’ and entirely different outfits for show days and that is just for the horses.

Which then smoothly brings me onto rugs, which are a whole financial category of their own. Back in the good old days, a rug comprised of a tarpaulin and an old duvet that was used only in the worst of weathers but now it is a totally different story.

There are now rugs of all different types; lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight and stable rugs of varying weights, then waterproof and normal fly rugs, not forgetting a spare of each and some extra just incase options. The fit or new technology is also a reason for a new rug and just to note, each rug is destined for your horse to ensure the ultimate fit and that the horses feelings are met, seriously, I am not joking.

Now the part that I dread most, when the parcels arrive through the door, you have to hope that it is not another matchy matchy set. Whatever you do it is important to not add the prices all together, the total cost of tack can simply be justified as a long term investment and these matching sets include saddle pads that match the ear bonnets, then the ear bonnets match the bandages and the bandages match something else entirely, which could be another rug, over reach boots or a sparkly brow-band.

Just remember to tell them how nice everything is, as comfort, safety and care for the horse is key. It might not make sense for you but it matters to her. So stay safe with my survival strategy by not questioning every purchase that is made and just accept that the prices are different when the tag states that is equine related. You may never understand why a saddle pad that resembles a cushion costs more than the weekly shop and a bargain of £90, is really is a bargain, just remember to not question the purchase and instead just compliment and remain financially but not emotionally invested.