THE HIGH COST of RIDING CLOTHING The cost of living is high in every category and, let’s be honest, add hobbies – or horses – to the budget and it’s easy to see the end of the money before the end of the month. Kathleen Iles of Calgary is the owner and operator of The Tack Collector, a thrift and consignment centre for horse equipment and riding clothing. Here are some of her best tips for stretching your equestrian dollars. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
The Tack Collector in Calgary, Alta, has been in operation since 2006 and this unique business offers a perfect solution for equestrians looking to make their riding costs more affordable. Considering themselves specialists in tack consignment, the store features an inventory comprised 26
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strictly of second-hand equipment. With over 2,500 square feet of space, there are many bargains to be found here on everything from blankets, to bits, to riding clothing. “It’s easy to justify the amount of money we spend on our horses,” says Kathleen Iles, owner and proprietor
of The Tack Collector. “Yet, the number of people who buy new – at very high prices – still blows me away, as there are many alternatives these days.” In this Q & A, Iles gives us some of her best tips for stretching our equestrian dollars.