This week I wanted to share some of my top tips for the broke equestrian. Feel free to share some of your own tips in the comments! You can never have too many!
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1. Easily repair rubber boots with products like GEAR AID Aquaseal.
Have you ever had a super cute AND functional pair of rubber boots? If so, you may know the heartbreak of having them crack or tear, rendering their waterproof advantage ruined.
Have no fear! Aquaseal is here! A few years ago, I got sick and tired of my rubber boots constantly ripping and decided to do something about it. I looked into any possible products that could fix my issue.
That’s when I discovered Aquaseal. Originally made for repairing wetsuits, Aquaseal (and other products like it) is the flexible, durable, and waterproof adhesive of your dreams.
Simply follow application directions and seal off any cracks/holes in your boots thus allowing them to slop through the mud another day.
2. Always check clearance racks at tack stores.
If there is one thing that I would shout from the rooftops, it would be that there is no such thing as “last season” in equestrian apparel. Yes, these clothes may have been produced or debuted a season ago, but that does not mean that they are out of style.
To me, equestrian apparel is often timeless. I have numerous pieces that I have had for years because guess what? Function trumps fashion every time. If I can save 60% on “last season’s” apparel, I have no shame in perusing those clearance racks and you shouldn’t either.
Don’t let anyone try to convince you that you need new breeches or sun shirts to stay on trend. Trends are so nonsensical to me when it comes to equestrian apparel. If your clothes fit you how you want them to and are still functional, you are doing great.
3. Substitute inexpensive work gloves for riding gloves.
Although many riding gloves are not too expensive (around $10), you can still easily substitute garden or work gloves. These kinds of gloves are often half the price of riding gloves and come in numerous colors and styles.
Not to mention that you may already have some gloves on hand (no pun intended). You can choose between hook and loop (Velcro) and elastic wrist closures and numerous grip styles as well.
4. Buy used tack and equipment.
Always search all your secondhand marketplaces for tack and equipment. These include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and more. You can sometimes find gently used and like new equipment for much less than new.
Make sure that you always read descriptions carefully if you are planning on having things shipped. Some people can be sneaky or just forgot to mention some wear to the items. Ask lots of questions and, if you can, be sure to check out the items in person before buying.
5. If you pay for your own hay, use slow feeders and hay nets.
Every broke equestrian knows how expensive hay is. It’s one of the main reasons so many of us are broke! If you feed your own hay, be sure to use slow feed hay nets or feeders.
They are an inexpensive way to save you money by preventing waste. Nets keep your horse’s hay off the ground and can help prevent it from becoming soiled and inedible.
6. Take good care of your tack.
One of the simplest broke equestrian tips I have for you is to always take good care of the tack and equipment that you already have. It may not seem like it benefits you now, but you will appreciate not having to replace those expensive boots or bridles when they break from improper maintenance.
One of my favorite tack cleaning products is Fiebing’s Saddle Soap. It is so inexpensive and does a great job at cleaning and sprucing up your dirty, used tack. You get a huge tin and I swear it lasts forever!
7. Keep your grooming kit simple.
Grooming kits don’t need to be super complicated. Although my kit has expanded over the years, it was pretty simple in the early days.
All you really need is a rubber curry comb or mitt, a stiff body brush, a soft body brush, hair brush for mane and tail (my favorites come from the Dollar Tree), and a hoof pick. Simple as that!
8. Substitute athletic tights for riding pants.
I’ve said it in previous posts but I’ll mention it here again. Athletic tights make great riding pants! I have never been one for silicone or even suede grips. I find that they often restrict my movement (which, yes, is what they are meant to do) and find riding in leggings much more comfortable.
My current favorite leggings are from the brand PHISOCKAT on Amazon. They are so comfortable and stretchy plus they have two cell phone pockets!
Of course, if you are feeling extra crafty, you could add suede patches or silicone dots to these leggings to make your own DIY breeches. ViVA Decor’s ABS Sock-Stop Anti Slick Paint has worked wonders for my friend’s riding tights! Plus it comes in bunch of colors so you could get super creative with the color scheme!
9. Thrift stores hide many amazing finds.
Thrift stores are great places to find secondhand athletic apparel that doubles as awesome equestrian apparel. You can also find things for desensitizing (used exercise balls, anyone?) and tons of containers to store your horse’s favorite treats!
Don’t be afraid to dig through those racks. There are tons of hidden treasures to be found, usually at amazing low prices! If you don’t have good brick and mortar thrift stores near you, be sure to check on Poshmark, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace as well!
10. Make your own mane and tail detangler on the cheap.
When I say I haven’t bought mane and tail detangler in literally years, I mean it. We were never really impressed with the products that I could afford so I sought a DIY recipe on the good ole YouTube.
This is probably my favorite broke equestrian hack/tip and I was actually able to find the exact video I followed to make my detangler. Check it out below.
The recipe really is just water, Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner, and Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum. We opted over the years to leave out the serum and it still works great. 10/10 highly recommend.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you found the tips in this post helpful. Do you have some of your own broke equestrian tips? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.
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