What woman doesn’t enjoy shopping? When you combine that genetically ingrained compulsion with a passion for horses that can only lead to one place: The tack store. Even better for me, there’s a huge consignment store called Thrifty Horse located a mere couple of blocks from my house. Since I’ve been a little down in the dumps lately, I decided that what my spirit needed was a trip to Thrifty Horse. I wasn’t planning on buying anything. I just wanted to browse. I’m often amused and intrigued by the treasures I discover at this emporium of gently used and cast-off equestrian goodies. Here’s a look at a few of the items that caught my eye.
Quite literally planted outside the entrance was a collection of cactus, created from rusty horse shoes. Apparently there’s an underground colony of cowboy craftsmen who cobble well worn horse shoes into art. I had no idea. Does this mean I can negotiate some kind of rebate if I recycle Wally’s old shoes?
There are exquisite silver-laden parade saddles and then there is… this one. Maybe this is sort of a starter parade saddle, like one you’d use when you’re forced to ride at the end of the parade, behind the final marching band.
As someone who was forced to wear navy and tan for three decades on the hunter circuit, I love browsing through the colorful racks of used western show apparel. However, I wasn’t too fond of this jacket, which seemed to match the parade saddle. But I think I finally solved the mystery of what became of Michael Jackson’s old wardrobe from the early 1980’s.
I couldn’t resist trying on a tail. I chose one off the rack that came close to matching my own hair. I think I’m a dark sorrel with flaxen highlights. Truthfully, I like the concept of having my own tail. Either that or I saw “Avatar” one too many times.
My little horse shopping trip did the job. I felt much better by the time I left the store, especially after I cuddled for a moment with a big, floppy stuffed palomino. Yes, even for a grown woman, there’s nothing like a hug from a horse lover’s version of a teddy bear.
Back to Life with Horses
My favorite picture was Cindy with the horse tail. LOL. Great blog! I love to read it!
Great article! I think it is funny too. My favorite one is the old shoe tower. It’s neat!
Is there an easy way to get a blog on Horse Channel? I would like to have one about Breyer Model Horses.
Are horses supposed to be weaned when they are six months old? I am considering buying a six month old Arabian filly named Coco, and I am wondering if she will have problems when she grows up due to late weaning.
Love this blog, Cindy. I have been dying to go shopping at the Thrify Horse, now I have to go after seeing your pictures. Love the one with the horse tail. Glad you are feeling better also.
This makes me want to visit my local consignment tack shop. Hunt Country Equine Supply in Stanfordville NY has every horse essential. The employees are great, very helpful, honest and all around good people.
Go Thrifty Horse!!! i absolutely love this shop! i bought 2 saddles, 2 pairs of boots, and 3 rolls of bandages. They have all been great quality and u couldn’t tell some were used:)
I am so with you! I absolutely love browsing in any tack store, used items or not! (of course, on my budget, browsing is about all I can do these days haha). In my area there is only one decent tack shop, and it’s almost an hour from me. so thanks for letting me tag along vicariously with you to the store! Great article. 🙂
Wow that cactus was really neat, that must have taken a lot of effort to make, I wonder what other things those cowboys made?
What a neat store! Too bad I don’t live in California! Is a horse weaned at six months going to have problems? And, any tips for green horses?
Haha love it! I want a tail! The tack store I frequent is run by Mennonites and they make a lot of their own stuff… it’s great quality, too! I wish I had time to browse, but I don’t anymore, so thanks for the walk-thru. Unfortunately, in addition to my expensive horse obsession, my dad also got me more into music and sound stuff, so going to the music store and playing $2000 guitars and leaving them behind is as hard as leaving the tack store empty-handed. 🙁 I actually don’t really like normal shopping, though.
HI! IT’S GREAT TO READ ALL YOUR COMMENTS… AND I WISH THERE WAS A WAY I COULD MAKE MY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES NOTABLE OTHER THAN TYPING IN ALL CAPS. IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’M YELLING AT YOU WHEN, OF COURSE, I AM NOT, LOL!
SOMETIMES I WISH I HAD A TAIL, TOO. BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE MY BILL AT THE HAIR STYLIST THEN?
IT’S TOO BAD THERE AREN’T CONSIGNMENT AND USED TACK STORES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY. THRIFTY HORSE IS ALWAYS FUN TO VISIT. WHENEVER I SELL ANYTHING THERE I USUALLY END UP SPENDING THE MONEY I GOT BEFORE I WALK OUT THE DOOR!
AS FOR THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WEANING A HORSE AT 6 MONTHS: ACTUALLY, THAT’S A GOOD QUESTION FOR ANOTHER SECTION OF HORSE CHANNEL. MAYBE WE CAN ADDRESS THAT ISSUE SOME TIME. BUT MY SHORT ANSWER BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS THAT NO, IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH MOST BREEDERS OF PERFORMANCE HORSES WEAN THEIR FOALS AT AROUND 4 MONTHS. JUST MAKE SURE THE YOUNGSTER IS FULLY WEANED AND INDEPENDENT. SOMETIMES HORSES THAT ARE WEANED LATER ARE STILL ATTACHED TO “THE HERD.”
I love your style! There’s nothing that makes me happier than spending time in a tack shop. I’m suppose to go Prom dress shopping with my daughter soon and we’re making plans to go to a town that has both prom dresses and tack shops. I could easily spend more on horsey stuff than my daughter can on a dress and accessories!
Thanks for the help about weaning horses! I really appreciate your response!And I LOVE to read your blog!