Between January and April it seems like there is a tack sale every weekend! Sometimes there are multiple on the same day or one on Saturday and another on Sunday.  Tack sales can be great for saving money and getting great products - however - buyer beware! Don't get sucked into buying something just because it is a great deal.  The best way to get the most out of Tack Sale season is to have a plan and stick to it.  Start by taking stock of what you have and what you still need.  If you have kids that are showing for example, have they outgrown any of their show clothes or boots?  Do you or they have a new horse? Is he or she a different size, color?  Are you thinking about trying something new? A new discipline or a new circuit?  Make a list of what you need.  Your list might look something like this:
1. What new things do you need?  If you show, start with your head and work your way down to your feet.  

• Helmet/Hat
• Shirt
• Jacket/Vest
• Gloves 
• Pins, earrings, necklaces etc.
• Hairnets, bun makers, hairpins
• Back number magnets 
• Belt
• Breeches, Pants, Jodphurs, Chaps
• Socks
• Boots
• Spurs/Spur straps
• other accessories
• Fun things too!!

2. What does your horse need? 

• Halters/Leads
• Leg wraps, bell boots, brushing boots
• Bridles & Bits, Training equipment
• Saddle pads, saddles, girths, cinches
• Supplements, wormers, electrolytes  

3. Do you have grooming and fly protection staples like Fly Spray, Coat Conditioners and show polish, fly masks or scrims, clipper blades, etc.

• Brushes, coat/mane/tail conditioners
• Shampoo, Braiding supplies, Conditioner
• Vet Wrap, leg wraps, etc.
• Horsewear: Sheets, scrims, hood/sleezy, fly masks

4.  What about your trailer, barn or tack room

• Saddle racks, bridle racks
• Blanket bags
• Mounting blocks
• Leather and silver care
• Clips, hooks, etc.
• Manure movement - picks, buckets, etc.

Once you have your list, research! What specifics are you looking for? What is your budget? What are things you would 'give' on and what are things you won't compromise?  For example, when I am looking for 'vetwrap' it MUST rip easily and straight across.  That means that most of the 3M products are off the list.  My budget is also less than $1.50 per roll. That allows me to narrow my focus.  Sometimes it is just as important to know what you won't accept as it is to know what you will.  Don't stray from your list and do your homework so you know what is truly a great price versus giving in to an emotional buy.  Good hunting!! 

 - e get a lot of requests and questions from first time Saddleseat attire buyers and with good reason!!! Show clothes in general are absolutely confusing -but without a doubt Saddleseat show attire is the most complex.

First, there are no standards in sizing! In addition, show attire has no correlation to standard store bought clothing (street clothes) except for when it comes to childrens sizes. For example, I typically wear size 4 - but I could wear anything from a size 2 to a size 10 in show clothes depending on the maker/brand. Because we are aware of this we typically ask for our customers to provide multiple measurements as well as the rider's typical street clothing size. The safest bet is to match up the bust measurement (at the fullest point with undergarments on) for the jacket.  We may also ask how old, the height and weight of the rider.   Over our 30 years of doing this, we've gotten pretty good at figuring out the right size just from this information.  If we look back - we've only had one suit that we had to take back because the rider just couldn't get the pants to fit.  She ended up having to go custom after trying multiple off the rack options.
Here are my measurements compared to a Reed Hill's size chart as an example:
I am about 5'5" and weigh around 123 lbs.  Typical street ladies size 4 or a Juniors 7
Bust 34"
Shoulder 17"
Pant Waist 27.5" (above the belly button)
Hips (9" from my natural Waist) 37.5"
Inseam 31"
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I wear a size 10 according to the size chart.  

​So don't worry when the measurements indicate two or three sizes higher than your 'normal' street size.  Or if the pants don't seem like the waist matches up. Keep in mind too, that especially in Saddleseat attire, most of the pants are high waisted. The manufacturers also leave ample fabric at multiple seams so they are very adjustable.  It is not unheard of for there to be  8" or more of 'let out' in a pair of jodphur pants.   Length is a personal preference. I prefer my jodphurs long.  I am also long legged with a shorter torso. Check the brand you are looking at carefully. Some do offer Regular, Short and Long lengths.  If you do end up having your suit altered by a non-horse person you must tell them how very important it is to keep the shape of the "bell" at the hem of the pants.  I have even recommended that the pants be altered from the knee seam and NOT at the hem because I have seen beautiful expensive suits ruined by a well intentioned, mis-informed tailor. 

A good suit is an investment.  Entry level off the rack suits start at $350 and can exceed $1000. But these suits often last for many years.  Let us know what circuit and/or breed you are showing.  We will often save people hundreds of dollars by recommending a suit that is suitable for Equestrian Teams or 4-H vs. one that is appropriate for the Breed Circuits.  A beginner at the local level need not spend $1000 on a wool suit when they can start with a nice wool-blend or poly.  It's the accessories and polish that will make the $350 suit look like your spent $1000.  Putting your habit together with the right hat, gloves, shirt, tie, vest, boots and jewelry is as imperative as it is fun!  

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For more options specifics on how to measure see our sizing pages and as always feel free to call, text or email us!

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Huge savings when you order during our sales event starting Feb. 10 - Feb 21.  Place your orders during this event we'll stock your products, ship or deliver them to you when you need them or you can setup your monthly ship and save!!  We can either bill you for all your products or monthly - you can even combine sale and non-sale items from any of our suppliers!   Watch this special Blog for updates and the Flyer!