How to Shop, Sell, & Consign
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
How do we shop?
We are mobile, so you can catch us at an event or book us to come to your barn or location. We also have a small workshop at our farm in North Garden, where you can bring your horse for saddle fittings or shop. Just make an appointment.
How do I make an appointment to come to you?
Text us to schedule an appointment: 434-987-2008
Do you charge to come to us?
There is no charge for barn visits within Albemarle County. Visits outside Albemarle County, VA are $1/mile. Inviting friends who want to shop can also make our trip more worthwhile and may lessen the travel fee.
What is a "tacky hour"?
Tacky hour is a private gathering at your barn, where you can invite friends to shop our trailer while you provide drinks and snacks for a festive atmosphere. It’s loads of fun!
Inventory
What do you carry?
We carry new and used English tack and clothing for many disciplines for men, women, children, and horses/ponies.
What tack items are in your trailer?
Saddles, bridles, breastplates, martingales, girths, saddle pads, halters, clothing, and more.
What clothing items do you carry?
Show attire for hunter/jumpers, fox hunting attire, and everyday riding apparel for kids, ladies, and gents. We also carry paddock boots for kids.
How are your clothes measured?
Saddles & Trials
Can you help me find the right saddle for me and my horse?
Yes we can! We bring a trailer full of saddles to try. We’re happy to help you find the right one that fits both of you. If you have a saddle fitter, we would love to work with them!
How long is a saddle trial period?
Up to 7 days.
Do you ship saddles for trial?
Yes. The saddle must be paid for prior to shipping, and the customer must cover all shipping costs.
Consignment & Selling
What items do you consign?
We consign select saddles. For other items (strap goods, clothing, etc.), we prefer to buy if we agree on a price. Tack and saddles must be clean, safe, and have a current market value.
How do I consign a saddle?
Contact us with saddle details and your location:
What is your consignment fee?
25% of the final sale price.
Which saddles sell best?
It’s takes the three “B’s” to align for ANY saddle to sell: The right BACK (the horse), the right BUTT (the rider), and the right BUDGET (the price)
That said, we sell wool and foam flocked saddles, saddles 1-15 years old, and saddles ranging from $300 to $3000.
We no longer carry used dressage saddles
If we have to clean your saddle before selling it, you will be charged a $50 cleaning fee.
What is your consignment agreement?
Buying Items
What items do you buy?
Strap goods, riding clothes, saddle pads, etc., in good, clean, safe condition, PROVIDED WE HAVE SPACE FOR THEM AT THE TIME YOU ARE SELLING.
What do you NOT buy?
Used helmets, moldy or dirty items, dried out/cracked leather, horse boots, very old saddles, girths without roller buckles, tall boots without zippers, and dressage saddles.
Payment & Returns
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Venmo, PayPal, Credit Card, Apple Pay (3.5% transaction fee is passed on to customer.) Local customers may also pay with check.
Do you accept returns?
All sales are final, except for saddles on trial. Once the saddle sale is complete, it cannot be returned, unless you want to consign it with us to sell.
Foxhunting
Do you have recommendations for resources about Foxhunting?
Yes, here is an excellent publication to help riders new to the sport.
https://mfha.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Introduction-to-Fox-Hunting_V2.pdf
And for kids, this is also a great publication with cool pictures.
https://mfha.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/kidsintrotofoxhunting2014.pdf
MFHA’s Juniors Page has great information too!
How do I know which club to hunt with?
Check the MFHA list of hunts, https://mfha.com/hunt-index/
Do you have any tricks for staying warm in the hunt field?
Yes we do!
- Before getting dressed apply a thin layer of Vaseline or non-petroleum jelly to the body. It traps the heat and keeps you extra warm. (Lotions do not work as well, because they let the heat escape.)
- Make sure your first layer of clothing (long johns, tights, etc) fits very snug.
- For the hands, wear a pair of non-latex or nitrate gloves under you riding gloves. Your hands may sweat, but the heat is trapped, keeping your hands cozy warm.
- Use hand warmers and toe warmers if needed. Wear a high turtle neck under your stock tie.
- Don’t forget ear warmers. There are many types that fit under a riding helmet.