The Pros and Cons of Used Horse Back Riding Equipment
Horse back riding equipment is actually one of the few things in life which is usually better used than new. In some instances, if you are showing professionally or if your horse is of unusual proportions (either a Shire or a Miniature), then you will have no choice but to get new horse back riding equipment. But if you only ride one hour a week for a horse back riding lesson, or if you just ride for fun, then you can get away with used tack and used riding clothes.
Broken In
Horse back riding equipment, especially tack for the horse, is often made of leather. Even man-made leather still has some of the more difficult qualities of genuine leather. New leather is incredibly stiff. It can take weeks to break in a new saddle or a new pair of boots. You definitely don't want to get brand, shiny new horse back riding equipment the night before your horse show debut.
Cost
The other main advantage of used horse back riding equipment is that is costs a lot less than new tack or other equipment. Many saddles, blankets, halters, lunge lines, jumps, trailers and other horse back riding equipment don't wear out before the rider's interest does. Also, it tends to outlive the horse. In this age of recycling, it's great to not only safe money, but save resources.
Availability
Used horse back riding equipment has gotten easier to find than new riding equipment. This is because many places no longer have local tack shops (stores that sell only horse and farm supplies). But now, everyone can have access to tack shops through the magic of the Internet. And, with free online classifieds and low-cost online auction web sites, many people are turning their junk into cash. This is where you can find incredible bargains on quality used horse back riding equipment.
However…
The disadvantage of used horse back riding equipment is that they do not come with instructions or any kind of tech support. You have to figure it out yourself. You are much better off if you have some experience fiddling with the equipment you're shopping for, then you know more about how it works.
Another disadvantage is that sometimes the tack just doesn't fit your horse. For some horses, they really don't care. You put in extra padding or a thicker saddle blanket and they don't mind. But for some horses with arthritis or who are being ridden hard every day, they need the comfort and support that new tack can give.
