It is fairly well-known that being an equestrian can get pretty expensive. With riding clothes, equipment, and more driving up the costs, you may be wondering if there are any ways to save money. That’s where I come in š
My mom got me into riding lessons when I was 8 years old (16 years ago!). I’m not ashamed to say that my only real equestrian item was a helmet. My parents weren’t sure if I would take to horseback riding and well, here we are!
In this post, I’m going to provide you with some of my favorite retailers and tips for getting the best deals! So without further delay, let’s get into it!
Chick’s Discount Saddlery
This website is a great place to get discounted grooming supplies, apparel, horse blankets, and more. They often sell name-brand items for less than other retailers and are typically running promotions.
I have bought discounted grooming supplies and apparel from Chick’s and had good results. I will note that when shopping off brand items on Chick’s, try to find some reviews on the internet for the product.
Chick’s does not typically have reviews on their items so always proceed with caution when buying items where quality matters to you. I will also mention that Chick’s shipping costs are based on how much you spend.
The only other con to Chick’s is that when it comes to blankets, they typically only have a few random sizes available. But, with a little bit of searching, you can find great deals on Chick’s. I recommend them to anyone who is starting out and looking for more affordable equestrian options!
Schneiders Saddlery
Schneiders Saddlery is a great online equestrian retailer that has tons of clearance and sale merchandise! They are my go-to site for buying end-of-season blankets and fly sheets because I always save money. In fact, I recently got $1200 worth of fly sheets for around $400!
Schneiders also offers free shipping on orders over $100 so if you plan your purchases carefully, you can always get that free shipping! Be sure to sign up for their email marketing to be alerted of their frequent sales.
Schneiders also carries horse tack, barn supplies, and more! There is so much to look at on their site!
State Line Tack
State Line Tack is another online equestrian retailer that is practically always running sales and is one of my favorite places to save money. Every time I log onto the website there is an offer for 25-30% off that you can use instantly.
SLT has tack, apparel, horse wear, and more. Products often have reviews to help you judge the quality of the products you are buying. Their shipping rates are also fairly reasonable and many items qualify for free economy shipping.
Although SLT does have some great deals, be aware that they are often unable to discount more name-brand items due to restrictions from the manufacturer. Just keep your eyes open to make sure you are actually getting a deal!
Facebook Marketplace
Marketplace can be a dangerous place for equestrians looking for deals. People sell all sorts of horse-related stuff on there. Saddle pads, bridles, riding clothes, you name it! You can often easily save money on expensive equestrian items.
Just be sure to pay attention to shipping costs. I have often found things that I thought were a great deal, but when you add in the cost of shipping, the item would be cheaper to buy new. If that is the case, you obviously wouldn’t save money.
Also, you obviously want to make sure you don’t get scammed. If a listing has only one photo, no description, the price seems too good to be true, proceed with caution. I’m not saying that it’s always a scam, but you should use your best judgment to avoid losing your money.
Facebook Groups
Along with Marketplace, Facebook has several buy and sell groups that you can join. Many are specific to certain regions and types of items for sale. For example, I am a part of a group called “Horses and Tack for Sale in WI”.
These groups are also great for posting “In Search Of” ads. You can specify what you are looking for and what your budget is and people show you what they have!
Just like Marketplace, be sure to watch out for any signs of a scam. Make sure you get a tracking number and, if you’re using PayPal, always pay using the Goods and Services payment type. This allows you to be eligible for PayPal Purchase Protection on eligible items.
Thrift Stores
I feel like people often overlook all of the great things that you can find at thrift stores! Sure, you’re probably not going to find any breeches or bridles, but there are still a ton of treasures!
Here’s a list of some of the things that I like to get at secondhand stores:
- Polos/athletic tops (almost every thrift store has high-quality athletic apparel at a fraction of the price)
- Belts
- Barn boots (if you can find your size)
- Fanny packs for treats/essentials
- Sunglasses
- Jeans (why pay full price for jeans that you wear around the barn?)
- Containers/Tupperware for treats
- Coats (easy to waterproof on your own!)
- Leggings/athletic tights (I personally love riding in regular athletic tights – so comfy and so affordable at thrift stores)
Craigslist
For those that don’t know, Craigslist is a place that provides local classifieds for numerous goods and services. I personally like to use Craigslist as a marketplace for saddles and other equestrian equipment.
You’ll typically find equestrian-related listings in the ‘farm & garden’ tab. Posts on Craigslist can be pretty generic so try to broaden your search term. Often, I just type in “horse” or “tack” and see what comes up for listings.
There is a little bit of searching involved in shopping on Craigslist but you can find some great deals in your area. Don’t be afraid to haggle! The worst they can say is no!
Like I have previously mentioned, always be on the lookout for scams. Here’s a list of common Craigslist scams to keep yourself aware of.
Final Considerations
My overall point in this post is to show you that you shouldn’t always shop at one retailer. Shopping around is the best way to save money as an equestrian. Just remember to always price check and watch out for scams!
I also want to point out that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to be a good equestrian or horse owner. Wearing a secondhand shirt or boots doesn’t make you a worse rider. Putting used blankets on your horse doesn’t mean that you are a poor horse owner.
Money isn’t everything and you being a compassionate and educated horseperson is what matters!
Thank you so much for reading about how to save money as an equestrian. Let me know if any of the information in this post surprised you! Do you have any of your own money-saving hacks? Iād love to hear from you.
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Links to my favorite commerce sites: (non-affiliate)
- Chick’s Saddlery – tack, apparel, equipment, etc.
- State Line Tack– tack, apparel, equipment, blankets, etc.
- Schneiders Saddlery – blankets, tack, equipment, etc.