Horse Tack Bidding Site

Up until just a few short months ago one of the few equine vices I escaped was a tack addiction. I love tack. Love tack stores. Love the boots, the supplies, the feed, the leather, the gooming products. But I don't buy. Because I am cheap. And I cant justify buying what I don't actually need.

I've boarded at some big barns in my time. I've always had, by a large margin, the smallest amount of tack.

I know it sounds like a lot to a non-horse person but really, to have owned horses for almost two decades this doesn't amount to much:

-one saddle
-one saddle pad
-one bridle
-two bits
-two halters (one rope and one regular)
-one lead line
-a single carry tub of brushes
-two girths
-a tubberware bin with fly spray, leather cleaner, a lunge line and a few basic medical supplies.
-a single rain sheet
-a cooler
-a winter blanket

I had owned plenty of different tack along the way but I would sell/swap or give away anything I no longer needed or that fit my current horse. What happened a few months ago? A couple things. First was that a lot of my old tack didn't fit Hola. She is teeny tiny.  I am also riding Marm so wanted tack that fit her. She is not teeny tiny.

But the big problem started when this lady I know created a "equine bidding" page on facebook. The seller posts a single picture of their tack item and a SB (starting bid price). The "auction" lasts 48 hours from the time the item is posted. Every bid must be greater than $1 than the last bid. A buyer bids by simply commenting on the photo. The winning bidder has 48 hours to arrange pick up from the buyer. All sellers must be in my local area. 

I love this site. Here is why. I am cheap. I like a good deal. But I also have seen first hand that a lot of horsemen end up with a lot of tack they no longer need whether it be from change of horse or change of discipline and I love that we get to put items to use. Almost all the items posted are in good working condition. Everything from buckets, to halters, to hay bags to wheel barrows have come up and sell for very reasonable prices. I bought a hay bag for $5. I bought a halter for $8. I bid (but didn't win) $85 on a brand new looking Pro Choice saddle pad (that would have been over $200 new) . New items are posted every day and I can see it becoming a easily justified addiction. I know a lot of horse people are E-bay junkies and I understand why but the local and community aspect to this site is what really pulled me in. I know a lot of these people and am getting to know others. I love the site. I also love all my new tack:)