Breaking down my top equestrian splurge worthy items and their middle tier and budget-friendly alternatives.
By : Nora Van Veen
In the equestrian world, there is no shortage of things to spend your money on. There is something out there for every budget, but sometimes it's worthwhile to invest a bit more in certain items. In this post, we'll discuss some of my favorite horse and rider items listed below that I think are worth the extra spend.
Let's break it down and discuss why I think these items are splurge worthy, and also my comparable middle-tier and budget-friendly item alternatives.
Helmet
WORTH IT SPLURGE
The most important safety gear for an equestrian to have is a good helmet. I love my Samshield for its comfort as well as the look. These helmets rose to popularity a few years ago, and are now a favorite, particularly among junior riders. Although the Samshield Miss Shield is popular and comfortable, the most important thing to remember when buying a helmet is personal fit and comfort!
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
OneK Defender $350
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Charles Owen Kylo $170
Tack Trunk
WORTH IT SPLURGE
McGuinn Tack Trunk starting at $1,100
If you travel to horse shows, a quality tack trunk is a must. I had a small tack trunk from a hardware store for years, but recently splurged on a trunk from McGuinn. Not only is this trunk beautiful, it has enough room for all the things I have collected over the last 12 years of horse leasing and ownership. These trunks are fully customizable, and can be made to match your barn colors, your favorite colors, or be full wood. I opted for the large trunk with bandage lid and wheels, which ensures that I don’t have a hard time transporting it. My trunk ended up costing about $3,000 with all my additions.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
Phoenix West Starter Trunk $395-$460
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Husky Utility Cart $100
Show Jacket
WORTH IT SPLURGE
Charles Ancona Show Jacket starting at $1,295
I do admit I have expensive taste, however I have owned a few Charles Ancona jackets over the last 10 years so I can attest to the quality and craftsmanship of these jackets. They are fully customizable but are also available off-the-rack. I bought my first one in 2012, and it never showed severe signs of wear all throughout my junior years and in college. The only reason I stopped wearing it is because I grew out of it! They are sleek and offer unique features such as number holes to hide a number string, and fake cuffs to still give the look of a long sleeve shirt under a jacket even on those hot Florida days.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Riding Boots
WORTH IT SPLURGE
Fabbri Tall Boots starting at $1,250
Having a stylish, comfortable, and durable pair of tall boots is extremely important for the competitive equestrian! I recently bought a pair of Fabbri boots after my Parlanti field boots kicked the bucket (after 7 years). While they did take a little longer to break in than my Parlantis did, the leather feels more durable and I believe they would hold up better for those who are riding multiple horses a day 5-6 times a week. I do LOVE Parlantis though, so if you can swing it, maybe invest in a “home” pair and a “show” pair of tall boots.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
I would recommend not cutting costs when it comes to tall boots and spending the money to purchase a good quality pair. The last thing you want is to walk around in uncomfortable shoes, or have to continuously replace them because of wear and tear.
Saddle
WORTH IT SPLURGE
CWD Mademoiselle Saddle starting at $8,380
One of the most important pieces of riding equipment is your saddle. It is so important to have a well-fitting saddle to ensure that your horse remains happy and comfortable while riding, and to prevent issues like back soreness. I love the CWD because they can be made to fit a wide variety of horses (with minor adjustments to padding to fix any minor fit issues) or can be made custom to you and your horse. They are also made with rider comfort in mind, and I could honestly sit in my saddle for hours and not get sore.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
Purchasing pre-owned or used saddles is a great way to save on expenses. You can find good deals in local or online consignment stores, through personal connections, or in Facebook marketplace/groups. However, since saddle fit is so unique to each horse, I recommend discussing with your trainer or a reputable saddle fitter what are the best options for you and your horse.
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Even if your current saddle isn't a perfect fit for your horse, don't rush into purchasing a new or custom saddle. You can sometimes improve saddle fit by using half pads or shims, and those won't break the bank. Just make sure to have a discussion with a knowledge professional about which option and style your horse needs.
Horse Boots
WORTH IT SPLURGE
There are always debates about whether or not leg protection is necessary for horses. However, when I am competing at a high level, I like to make sure my horse’s legs are protected from impact, as well as potential interference from himself. I love the Equifit D-Teq boots because of their sleek look, as well as the ImpacTeq liner that provides comfort and stability for the horse’s legs. The liners are also removable for easy washing.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Horse Blanket
WORTH IT SPLURGE
Buying a good quality blanket is a must if you live in a cold or rainy climate. I splurged years ago on a Baker blanket and I absolutely love it. It is great quality and has lasted me more than 10 years with 5 different horses!
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
Premier Equine Titan Trio Complete 4-in-1 Turnout Rug $376 This 4-1 set is great quality, easy to use, and gives you the most bang for your buck. It comes with a 100g waterproof turnout blanket, three rug liners (100g, 200g, and 350g), and two neck covers (100g and 200g) which can be alternated based on the weather.
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Smartpak Sheets & Blankets $113-330. Purchasing from Smartpak is actually cost saving in the long run because they have a guarantee of repair should your Smartpak blankets break. This saves you money on buying new blankets if your horse is prone to damaging them.
Horse Sheet
WORTH IT SPLURGE
I will be honest. I didn’t buy my Back on Track sheet, I won it at a horse show. That being said, I would absolutely spend money on it again if needed. This sheet is a great lightweight option that I like to use at horse shows before I compete to start to get my horse’s muscles warmed up, as well as a great recovery option. I always notice a difference in my horse’s fluidity and movement after he has worn the Back on Track compared to when he doesn’t.
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
Horse Bonnet
WORTH IT SPLURGE
Equstar Custom Bonnet starting at $170
This splurge was for no reason other than I wanted a cute bonnet for my horse that matched one of my show jackets. These bonnets are completely customizable and are very stylish. You can customize the trim, ears, color, and even get little designs embroidered on the ears!
MIDDLE TIER OPTION
Equifit Ear Bonnet $103
BUDGET FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE
My Horse
WORTH IT SPLURGE
Last but not least, my most splurge-worthy item is my horse of course! Although I did pay a good bit of money for him, he was exactly what I was looking for at this point in my riding career. He is my best buy, and my best friend.
There are no middle tier or budget friendly alternatives when it comes to purchasing a horse. A cheap horse can be just as, if not more expensive than a nice one, so it's important that you spend the money to buy one that matches your level, purpose, and goals. It's absolutely worth the extra spend to get a quality horse that meets your expectations.
As we know in the equestrian world, this sport is expensive and everyone is in a different financial situation. When it comes to whether or not to splurge on an equine purchase it’s important to consider things like safety, comfort, durability and amount of use.
Although it may seem like a significant expense initially, investing in durable and high-quality tack, equipment, or attire for you or your horse can be a cost-effective decision in the long run. It's about making smart purchases upfront to avoid potential future costs.
I hope you find my list helpful, and happy shopping!
Nora is an adult ammy living her best life in the Philadelphia suburbs. When she isn’t at the barn with her adult jumper Squid, you can find her doing CrossFit, and hanging out with her husband Joe and dogs Jelly Bean and Rory.
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