Be Realistic with your Price Range
When it comes to shopping for your first horse, there is an old saying: “don’t put the cart before the horse.” In this case, I’m putting that advice on hold. This is because if you don’t have a realistic budget in mind before hitting the shops, then you might end up paying more than you can afford and regretting it later.
To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, take some time to think about how much money you can spend on a horse and what kind of options are available within your price range. Then write down all of those numbers so that when someone suggests something outside of this range, it will be easy for them (and for yourself) to say no thanks!
Do Your Battle Before You Walk in the Door
Do Your Battle Before You Walk in the Door
Before you even step foot inside your local tack shop, you should do your research. Look up reviews of the store and their products on sites like Yelp or Google Reviews. If you’re feeling ambitious, call them to ask about their return policy and anything else that’s important to you as a customer. Also check out what prices they have for similar products online—this will help guide your expectations when it comes time to shop at the store itself!
Once you’re ready for battle (or shopping), go in with an idea of what kind of horse stuff is most important to buy right now. If there’s something specific on your list that requires some special attention from an expert, make sure that person is available before venturing into battle (or shopping).
Pick a Color Pallet and Stick with it
If you are a beginner, choosing a color pallet is one of the best things you can do when shopping for your first pieces. It will help you focus your spending and prevent you from going overboard with purchases.
Don’t be afraid to try new colors, but don’t go too crazy with it. Your equestrian business should still feel comfortable when it comes time to use them in the ring or at home. The last thing anyone wants is an uncomfortable horse that looks like it was styled by someone who didn’t care!
Break Out of Your Comfort Zone
- Don’t be afraid of color.
- Don’t be afraid of patterns.
- Don’t be afraid to try new brands.
- Don’t be afraid to try new styles.
- Don’t be afraid of new materials, such as linen or silk blends in summery colors like white and pink, or wool sweaters in fun prints like plaids and stripes during the winter months (or year-round if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere temperate).
- And finally, don’t fear buying things that are different from what you normally wear—it can help break up your wardrobe into more versatile pieces that can work with lots of other things!
Don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best deals
You are the customer. You are in charge. You are in control.
When you’re shopping for your first horse, keep in mind that you have all the power. The seller is counting on you to buy from them, but they can’t force it on you if they don’t have what suits your needs perfectly or they aren’t offering a good price point. Remembering this can help put any pressure at bay and keep you calm when things get hectic or confusing as well as remind you of what’s important: finding exactly what fits not just your budget but also all of your needs (including those beyond monetary).
Keep an eye out for sales and deals—they happen often! And remember that many online retailers offer free shipping, so if necessary it might be worth waiting until after Christmas or another time when prices tend to drop before making a purchase so that shipping costs aren’t added on top of whatever discount/freebie(s) may be available during sale events like Black Friday discounts or Cyber Monday deals