cheap tack (homemade?)

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After spending all winter reading and researching on horse care and training, I think I might actually be able to get one this summer. Yippeee!!!! BUT, I'm going to be on a really little budget so I'm wondering about making some of the tack, like the blanket or halter. I haven't priced that stuff out yet. Maybe it doesn't make sense. Just thougth I would ask. Thanks, Stace

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), March 22, 2002

Answers

Not sure of pricing comparisons either. I used to make all sort of tack from scraps though, just to see what I could do with my hole punch and rawhide. Blankets and warmers can easily be made of blankets and quilts.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

I have a quick little story about when I got my horse but didn't have much tack. Although I think it's a really good idea to get an older, well trained horse to start, I got a green broke, 3 year old arabian for my first horse when I was 14 (7 years ago). My dad's friend lent me a really old english saddle, but I didn't have a girth for it, so I rode bareback for the first summer. I also didn't have a bridle or a bit that fit him, so I used the halter and lead rope that he came with. I collected tack slowly over the next few years. I found some great deals at flea markets, garage sales and tack consignment sales. Keep looking in the classified ads; sometimes they have good tack for sale. Make sure you check that all the stitching is there and in good condition, and that any leather doesn't have major cracks when you bend it a little. Sometimes you can find leather tack that looks really old and dry and no good, but all it needs is a good cleaning and lots of oil, but again, check for stitching and cracks and wear. If at all possible, take the tack home and try it on the horse before you buy it. Good luck with your new horse and have fun shopping for tack! I still have my horse and everybody who sees him loves him (he's so cute!). He's been a total blessing.:) Make sure you let us know when you get your horse!

-- Rebekah in BC (rebekah_swinden@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

Hi Stacey,

It's not the purchase price of horses that is expensive-it's the upkeep. Have you researched the associated costs of keeping a horse? Shoeing/trimming, annual routine Vet visits, deworming supplies, grain/hay, not to mention emergency Vet care add up quickly. I don't want to burst your bubble but would hate for you to get your dream horse and then have to sell it because of the upkeep costs. I've never actually totalled how much I spend yearly on our three beloved equines, I don't really care...plus I really don't want my DH to know exactly what they cost to keep-I'm afraid he'd start talking second home, sports car, or after yesterday--new truck.

I find a lot of tack on eBay and at local auctions that is reasonably priced. Most older tack, that has been kept in good condition, is better made than the new stuff and is much cheaper. Our county 4H horse program has a large tack sale every spring, does your county offer one? Many tack shops have consignments too.

Good luck and I hope you find your dream horse.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 22, 2002.


Some stuff it doesn't make sense to buy, like halters. You can get cheapie nylon halters for about $5. I get good leather halters for about $20 from Fennells- www.fennells.com - I think. I don't bother making lead ropes, either- by the time you buy the hardware and correct rope, you might save a dollar. Sometimes it's cheaper to make some horse clothes - check out suitability.com for patterns. I mail order a lot- my favorite is Valley Vet - free shipping if you order $50 worth of stuff, and their prices are good.

Where you can save $$$ is using cheaper human products for horses- Suave shampoo does a fine job, I use cheap baby oil for detangling manes and tails, generic a+d ointment for scrapes. You can also find tips online for making things like hoof dressing and fly spray. I have a lot of horses so I buy fly spray concentrate and dilute.

You really don't need a lot of stuff to get started- a grooming box or bucket with rubber curry, stiff brush(I like rice root), soft brush and hoof pick. Halter and lead, of course, but usually when you buy a horse the halter comes with it. When you buy tack, buy the best you can afford- cheap leather strap goods are garbage and you'll be replacing it sooner than you'd like. And no nylon bridles for me, either- yuck! If you can't afford a new brand name saddle, buy a quality used one. In general, if a saddle costs less than $400-500 new, it's probably junk and you'll regret it. The exception to this is the synthetic saddles, like A-betta and Wintec. I personally don't like them, but that's just my preferences, nothing against their quality. Visit www.statelinetack.com and have them send you a catalog. They have almost anything you could possibly want, the quality is decent and the prices are reasonable.

Have fun- I remember how excited I was with my first horse!

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.


oops, I meant doesn't make sense to MAKE- lol!

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.


Hi Stacy, Nice name! :) Yes, I have looked into the upkeep and talked to my vet about annual costs. I started researching the costs and upkeep about a year ago to make sure that I knew exactly what I was getting into. The upkeep isn't going to be a problem, it's just the initial startup costs that I'm having the trouble with. I really, really, really want to get one this summer so I'm trying to find ways to do this as cheaply as possible. But, if it doesn't work I will wait til next summer. I will aboslutely not get a horse til I have everything I need to give him/her/it a good home. Thanks for the tips! Stace

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), March 22, 2002.

Shakytails is right about Suitability patterns. I just made a nice polar fleece cooler for about $20.00 they're usually $50 and up. I've found the Suitability patterns on eBay cheaper than through the catalog or website. I'm currently working on a showmanship jacket for my daughter with a Suitablity pattern--it's not so easy but it's coming along.

Their website is: www.suitability.com

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 22, 2002.


Stacey,

Sounds like you're doing everything right! Good luck to you and your dream horse--look at lots of horses before you decide which to buy.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 22, 2002.


Stacey, another thing to consider is when and if you buy a used saddle, check UNDERNEATH, to see that the tree isn't broken, and that there aren't any nails sticking through the padding. I've seen LOTS of saddles at farm sales that looked good until you really check them over closely. Quite often when someone is selling their horse, they will also sell you the tack they have, which will fit the horse (different breeds are built differently, a quarter horse for example, is usually wider than an Arab, etc. Read about how to tell if the saddle fits correctly by checking with your hand at the withers. Also get a saddle that fits YOU. Something a lot of people forget is having their horses' teeth floated. It can make a big difference in how they accept a bit, and how well they are able to eat. It's worth a few dollars when you find one you are really serious about, to have a reputable vet check the horse over first, it can save you a lot of heartache later. I've heard at least one woman at the vet when I was walking my horse outside, saying she was going to take her gelding to a sale out of town, because the vet had just told her he had a permanent injury that wasn't apparent when he was just walking around, but would eventually cause him to go lame. Good luck, and let us know when you find one! Jan

-- Jan in Co (Janice12@aol.com), March 22, 2002.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and advice. I'll keep you posted! Stace

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), March 22, 2002.


I am NOT an expert. One thing I remember reading though, is that a cheap source of used blanketing in good condition is electric blankets that have stopped working. I think they're often sold for almost nothing at Goodwill or other second-hand stores, often for use as dog blankets. Depending on size, one or two of those would cover a horse.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), March 22, 2002.

I've made rope halters out of cotton clothesline. I like them better than the nylon ones. The first one took me awhile, the second not as long, the third even less, etc. I once had to cut one off a horse when he got it caught on something and panicked (my horses don't wear halters in the pasture, I had only left him unattended for a few minutes). It would have been alot harder to cut through a nice nylon Stockman's halter (and I would have felt bad for a ruined halter). I think I have instructions somewhere around here that I can photocopy. Email me if you would like them.

-- malinda (teneniel_80@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

Site with directions for tying a rope halter:

http://members.tripod.com/cavanaughc/id89.htm

-- Laura Jensen (lauraj@seedlaw.com), March 22, 2002.


Stacey, There is a website that links over worked horse owners with other horse lovers. I think it is www.sharemyhorse.com You register and they hook you up with people that are intersted in sharing chores etc for the use of their horse

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), March 22, 2002.

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