New Horse Owner

Hi,

I'm going to be a new horse owner. I have wanted a horse for a very long time and am finally able to own one.

Soooo...I am in search of good quality items for my soon to be new horse.

I figured I would ask the forum about a good quality medium weight tunout blanket, fly mask, and tack trunk.

If you guys have any other suggestions about good quality tack please let me know. Thanks a lot.

P.S. I am also on a budget

You might take a look through the classifieds here and maybe Craigslist.
Used tack is usually a good way to go. Good leather goods if properly cared for last a lifetime and then some. It better to buy good quality used than poor quality new.
Welcome to the forum too
ETA- Its better to wait until you get the horse to get the tack. Horses are different sizes and I'd hate for you to get something and then not have it fit your new horse

I agree with every single word Vida says! Don't buy a saddle to you have the horse! And go for used rather that new crap!

Welcome!

I definately agree that used is the way to go with saddles and most leather goods. And I agree to make sure you wait till you have a horse to buy a saddle. It would also be good to have a saddle fitter help you find a saddle that will fit your horse and save you from having a horse with a sore back.

I would definately recomend trying some Marcel Toulouse saddles. They are cheaper but still high quality for the price. Also, look for used Stubbens, Crosby's, etc.

Also, maybe look for a saddle that includes stirrup leathers and stirrups. If you can't find that then I would recommend first looking at stirrups leathers that are the same brand as your saddle. That way you know they will most likely match the saddle. If not just look around at all the ones in your price range and see which one is the color you want and is pretty good quality. Personally, I would go to the local tack shop with my saddle and hold it up to all the stirrup leathers to see which one works. For stirrups you can just go with the normal everyday stirrup (which is cheaper) or you can get jointed ones, etc. that help with knee and ankle pain.

For your bridle I have heard wonderful reviews on Ovation bridles and HDR bridles. They are also a little cheaper than most but still pretty good quality. A few people at my barn have Ovation bridles and LOVE them.

Right now I would recommend getting a fuzzy fleece girth instead of leather unless you plan on showing. If you have some money left over after buying everything I do recommend buying a leather girth. I love leather girths because they are so much easier to clean and look nicer on the horse, but that's just me.

For turnout blankets I would definately suggest the Amigo or Pessoa blankets. I have only had experience with the Rambo fly sheet and LOVE it. I would recommend them to anyone who has problems with flies in the summer. I find that it also keeps my horse cooler because he is not stomping and running around trying to keep the flies off of him. As for the fly mask I've never used one before but everyone that does recommends the Cashel ones. There are also lots of different kinds of blankets like coolers; dress sheets; light, medium, and heavy weight turnouts; underlayers; fly sheets; stable blankets; and rain sheets. I would be more than happy helping you decide what you need if you want. Just send me a PM.

A tack trunk can be very expensive if you are buying a wood one. They can range from about $300 - $1000. If you want a wood trunk I would recommend looking at your local tack store and see if they have any one sale (this would also save on shipping) or have a handy friend build one for you. There are plans available on the web. Here's one site that has amazing tack trunk plans Elite Tack Design - Tack Trunk & Cabinet Plans for English & Western Riders. .

Again please PM me if you want recommendations or need help finding anything. I'd be more than happy to help. I love picking out tack and stuff for horses.

First off, thanks everybody for the help. But let me clarify some things.

I have already started the procedures to buying my horse. It is a sure thing at this point. Technically, he is not under my ownership yet, but within the next week.

I have been riding for some time, so I have accumulated a few items. I already have a very nice used Crosby saddle. I also have two close contact saddle pads.

What I need to buy, with the help of my instructor, is:

half back saddle pad
Fly spray (She recommended Flysect Super-7)
5" rubber Dee Ring
Medium Weight Turnout Blanket
Tack Trunk
Fly Mask
Halter
Lead Rope
48" Girth (Preferrably leather)

Are there any other things that I should buy?
Are there things that I could buy?

I am a first time horse owner, but I do know my way around a horse.



Thanks again everyone.

Thanks for the clarification!

Here are my recommendations for what you need...

Half Back Saddle Pad - I absolutely love the Thinline Trifecta Half Pad (ThinLine Trifecta Cotton Half Pad from SmartPak Equine). Or you could get a regular half pad (Circuit Sheepskin Half Pad - Dover Saddlery.) and layer it with the Thinline Half Pad (ThinLine Half Pad Available at Tack Shops - Horse Rider Performance Saddle Pads - ThinLine). I absolutely love the thinline pads because they help with my back pain, help absorb shock, and don't affect saddle fit.

Fly spray - Pyranha Wipe N' Spray (this is the only fly spray I've found that actually works some what)

5" rubber Dee Ring - I have never used a rubber bit but this one looks quite nice: Happy Mouth Double Jointed Roller Dee from SmartPak Equine

Medium Weight Turnout Blanket - Amigo Turnout Blanket from SmartPak Equine

Tack Trunk - ?? I bought mine at a local tack store so I'm not sure who exactly made it. You could always go to your local Home Depot and get a plastic one. Some of them are really nice.

Fly Mask - Crusader Fly Mask - Standard from SmartPak Equine

Halter - Hampton Triple Stitched Leather Halter - Dover Saddlery. I have this halter and absolutely love it. It's the only halter that has held up, plus I think the leather looks much better than nylon.

Lead Rope - Heavy Rope Lead - Dover Saddlery.

48" Girth (Preferrably leather) - I saw you mentioned you have a Crosby saddle so I found this girth on sale. It's a great price and come in a 48". Crosby Overlay Girth from SmartPak Equine

Here's a few things I would recommend buying...
- Cooler (so handy in the winter when your horse is sweating but you can't hose him off)
- Healthy Haircare Horse Moisturizer (I can't live without this stuff! I use it daily to make my horses coat shine. An added bonus is that it moisturizes the coat instead of drying it out like other brands.)
- Baby Pads (I use them under my Thinline Trifecta pad to help keep it clean and make it last longer. This is also where I add a pop of color to my horse's wardrobe.)

I second ThinLine pad. The Trifecta pad is good, or if you're on a budget, the Contour pad is a nice option. That's what my daughter uses. It conforms well to the horse's back when it's warmed.

If you want a half pad that will be shock absorbing, is contoured, and you can add shims to if your saddle isn't a perfect fit, I'd recommend a Skito Interpad or Skito Correction pad. They are very nice quality custom made pads, made in the USA out of all US made materials (which is almost imposible to find these days...).

If you want sheepskin, then I recommend Engle pads. They are affordable and they use very nicely quality medical grade Merino sheepskin for their saddles pads. They have a rolled edge pad and a front roll only pad.

If you want a really nice, hardwood tack trunk, then I'd go with Horsefare trunks. They are quality built trunks, custom made to order, and are very sturdy. If you want something more affordable, then I'd go with something like THIS or THIS. You should be able to find both at Home Depot.

As for other things, I'd get a lunge line, lunge whip, polo wraps or horse boots, bell boots, riding crop or bat, a bridle, a leather halter (lasts longer and is just classier than nylon), shampoo, conditioner, detangler, hoof pick, body brush, face brush, curry, sweat scraper, small bucket (for bathing), grooming caddy, SWAT (great to keep flies off the face and "sensitive parts), Sheath Cleaner if it's a boy...

I'd also keep in your tack box a small hand towel, a large towel, sponges for tack cleaning and bathing, spare halter and lead, tack cleaning supplies, and first aid supplies.

Here are tack cleaning supplies I like:
Browsing Store - Glycerin Saddle Soap Bar
Browsing Store - Passier Lederbalsam Leather Conditioner
Browsing Store - Belvoir Tack Conditioner Spray 500ml - For between heavy conditionings

Here are first aid supplies I can't live without:
Antibacterial Soap
Hydrogen Peroxide
Saline Solution (the kind in a squeeze bottle for contacts)
Vet wrap
Browsing Store - Epsom Salt Poultice
Browsing Store - Betadine Surgical Scrub
Browsing Store - Corona Ointment 7 ounces
Browsing Store - 5" Thermometer with Box and Clip
Browsing Store - 3M Gamgee Absorbent Padding - 18 inches Tall x 7.5 feet long
Eclipse Wound Wash & Cream, for more serious injuries.