As any horse owner knows or at least learns very quickly, horses are pretty expensive to keep around, even as a casual hobby. From the actual purchase of the horses themselves to their feeding and boarding, not even to mention their tack and other gear!
One of the best hacks I’ve come to learn over my years owning horses is that good second-hand gear is one of the absolute best ways to cut down on at least a few of those costs.
Buy Resell Items
Always keep in mind the resell-ability of any item you purchase. Is this going to be something that, once you are through with it, you might be able to sell to someone else in need of that piece of gear? Stick to brands that are known for having a good life cycle and will hold up under the usual wear and tear, make sure to keep it in good condition, and in turn, you’ll likely be able to re-sell that same item and make back at least some of your original purchase price.
Check Local Shops and Swaps
While most of us like to go directly to the big box stores or similar places to buy our gear, you might be very surprised what you can find at small mom-and-pop or resell shops. Some of the best gems I’ve ever found have been in re-sale shops, even if they might have needed a little elbow grease to clean them up. Another great place to find the gear that is being sold, usually in good condition, is swap meets and flea markets! If you’ve got the weekend free, take a trip down to whatever local market you might know of and check out what they have. You might find what you are looking for while supporting the local community.
Go Off-Brand
I know I like to buy nice gear, and that often means buying the named stuff. And yes I can justify that I actually need it (and that is usually true) but other times? Not so much! Often there are great alternatives at lower prices, especially when it comes to gear you might not use that often. Check and make sure that you really need that name-brand item before purchasing, even if that only means you are saving a bit now to purchase that branded gear you actually need in the future.
Be Ready To Haggle
Don’t be afraid to ask slightly lower than the asking price! Oftentimes if people are looking to offload gear then they’ll be willing to go slightly below their original listing, especially if they have not gotten an offer on it yet. This is especially true for gear that isn’t in perfect condition, so check the images or even better yet look at the item in person to check for any flaws that can be easily repaired or don’t affect the integrity of the gear.
Check Online
One of the best places to check for good used gear is to go online. Places like Facebook groups are geared towards your interests and may offer some sweet deals or connect you with individuals looking to sell off some gear. There are also multiple sites like Kijiji or Tack Hack that can yield great results. You can often sell your own used gear to make back some money, just make sure you are keeping that gear in good condition and take some really great pictures that show the item off at its best for potential buyers.
Research, Research, Research!
Finally, one of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck is to really do your research. There are some really fantastic deals to find out there when it comes to buying resell and used gear, but you have to know what you are getting into when you do so. This can mean checking reviews to see which brand will outlast others, what flaws to look for, or making sure that the price you are buying that used gear at is actually competitive. Knowing ahead of time exactly what you want and what price you are willing to go for will help you go a long way when it comes to buying second-hand gear.
In the end, used tack and other horse gear are a great way to keep up with the things your horse needs while still managing to save a bit of money on your end. It really is all about keeping your mind open, knowing what you need, and finding the best places for deals in your area.
Keep in mind that good tack won’t help you ride better, but bad gear can turn even the best ride into a bad one! If you happen to know any other tips or tricks when it comes to buying used gear, I’d love to hear from you!
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