Tack Ho Tribulations: Friends are the Worst

dressage saddle early days

There is a school of thought (that I somewhat buy in to) that says blog posts that are just a swag brag are in poor taste because they make horse blogs be all about $$$ spent on gear and not about actual horse things, which is tacky because gear isn't necessary.

I sort of agree with that.

But also I sort of don't.

Because sometimes things like this happen: You go on a total buying freeze all winter because you need to adult and clear out inventory and do non-horse things. But you don't get rid of your friends, because friends are nice. People need friends, don't they?

But then sometimes your friend just happens to have the perfect dressage saddle for you and your horse.

total saddle fit girth, amiright?

So you buy it.

But then you need a girth. And your other friend finds a nice quality one in the size you need in a brand name you didn't think you could afford used for a total steal.

So you buy that too.

they're super nice

But then you only have one dressage pad and ALL your jump saddle pads are super forward cut to accommodate your stupid femur, so they can't do double duty and your OTHER other friend finds you three nice dressage pads shipped for an absolute SONG.

Yup, bought them.

toys toys so many toys

Of course, then you're still stuck using brown jump leathers on your way classy get up until you go on a quick out of state trip with your Dad, who buys you dressage leathers. But since since you didn't have to pay for them and rolling polos is a b*tch, you couldn't help but notice the half price set of white dressage boots that needed a home.

Bought those too.

oh canada

Of course, then there was the problem of only having borrowed irons to put on those pretty new leathers, which is no good and yet another friend pointed you to a website you didn't need to know about that was clearing out the exact irons you needed.

Bought them. And bell boots, because who doesn't need bell boots?

very bridle

So then you're all set up for dressage until your favorite tack retailer decides to have a Valentine's sale. Who does that? You were determined to be good, but your wonderful hubs bought you the dressage bridle of your dreams.

So yeah, that showed up.

Well then it became apparent that the bridle had no sparkles or throatlatch and if you wanted to go to recognized shows, you would need both (NEED) and your one friend was like "hey I'd totes split shipping with you" and so yeah....

That happened.

much sparkle

And that's not even including how you made a flippant comment on instagram about how you needed a dressage half pad and this other friend was like "totes have one of those to send to you" and if you're a tack who, you obv suck at saying no. To friends.

can i get a hell yes?

So it's here.

And that's not including things like when through a very convoluted trade, a new breastcollar for your jump saddle just so happens to come live with you. It needed to loved, you know? Friends can't let friends let go of cwd breastcollars.

bright side: he looks fab

I don't really know where all this is going other than to say if you're trying to stay on budget, make sure you get rid of all your friends. They are absolutely HELL on budgets.










Noted: in fairness, I think I have two friends who don't cost me tack money. Lauren and JenJ, please stand up. Scratch that. Lauren stands alone.