Buying second-hand equestrian gear can be a brilliant way to access quality equipment without paying the full new price.
But horses and riders rely on their equipment for safety, which means not everything should be purchased purely because you've found a bargain.
So what horse riding equipment is generally suitable to buy second-hand — and where should you be more cautious?
Great items to consider buying second-hand
Bridles
Quality leather bridles can last for years when they're properly cared for.
Check the leather carefully for cracking, particularly around buckle holes, bends and areas under pressure.
Look at the stitching and make sure fittings and buckles are secure.
A well-maintained quality bridle can be an excellent second-hand purchase.
Riding clothing
Competition jackets, breeches, show shirts, base layers and other riding clothes are ideal candidates for buying pre-loved.
Children's equestrian clothing is particularly worth considering because young riders can grow out of expensive kit incredibly quickly.
Check photographs carefully and ask for measurements if you're unsure about sizing.
Horse rugs
Horse rugs are another popular second-hand purchase.
Look for obvious tears, damaged straps, broken buckles or repairs.
For turnout rugs, remember that appearance alone doesn't guarantee that the rug remains waterproof.
Ask the seller about its age, condition and whether they've experienced any leaking.
Saddle pads
Saddle pads and numnahs can often be bought second-hand very successfully.
Check for excessive wear around the girth area, damaged stitching and permanent compression.
And yes — a few stubborn horse hairs are practically an occupational hazard.
Horse boots
Brushing boots, overreach boots and similar protective equipment can also represent good value second-hand.
Make sure fastenings remain secure and check that protective areas haven't cracked or become badly distorted.
What about second-hand saddles?
Second-hand saddles are extremely common and can represent excellent value.
However, saddle fit is important for both horse and rider.
The fact that a saddle is the correct seat size or width doesn't automatically mean it will fit your horse.
Where appropriate, consider having a qualified saddle fitter assess the saddle.
Also inspect the saddle carefully for structural damage and significant wear.
Be particularly careful with safety equipment
Some equestrian equipment has a direct role in protecting you during a fall.
Riding hats are the obvious example.
A helmet may have experienced an impact without displaying obvious external damage, and its history can be difficult to verify.
For safety-critical equipment, always consider manufacturer guidance and current safety standards before purchasing or using a second-hand item.
The same cautious approach should be taken with other equipment whose protective performance may be affected by previous impacts, age or damage.
Ask questions
One of the advantages of buying from another equestrian is being able to ask about the item's history.
Useful questions include:
How old is it?
How frequently was it used?
Why are you selling it?
Has it been repaired?
Are there any defects not visible in the photographs?
Has it experienced an impact or accident?
A genuine seller should be comfortable describing the condition of their item.
Look beyond the bargain
The cheapest item isn't necessarily the best-value item.
A quality piece of equestrian equipment that has been cared for may provide years of additional use.
That's one of the great things about the second-hand equestrian community.
We spend a small fortune collecting equipment throughout our lives with horses. Much of that gear eventually stops being useful to us — but that doesn't mean it has stopped being useful.
Someone, somewhere, probably needs exactly what's sitting unused in your tack room.
EquiCloset was built by equestrians, for equestrians — giving riders a dedicated place to buy and sell pre-loved equestrian gear.
Because good gear deserves another ride.
