Tack Review: Art of Riding Products

I know I've been slacking on the tack review posts this fall, but I had a reason! This is going to be a good-sized review, encompassing four products from Art of Liv'n's new Art of Riding line. A friend of mine contacted me and asked if I would be willing to review the products in exchange for receiving a set. I told her that my review would be my honest opinion (aka, not going to give a good review just to get free stuff). She was confident in the product, so she dropped a set in the mail. And it did not disappoint! I've been using the set this fall, including taking it to several horse shows and the hunter pace. At every event, someone stopped to ask about the saddle cover, and I sent them into my tack room to look at the rest of the stuff. Initially I was a little iffy on the stuff being made of neoprene, but after using it, I really love it! It's durable, lightweight, and super easy to clean up! So let's get started!

Stock photo from the Art of Liv'n site.

Art of Riding Saddle Cover -- Pass This On
Stylishly protect your treasured saddles from moisture and dust with our soft, stretchy and naturally padded neoprene saddle covers. Made to fit most saddles and designed with an extra-durable elastic band.

• Two-panel design for optimum fit and coverage of most saddles
• Ample stirrup slots for use while riding
• Reversible to bright neon orange for high visibility
• Made of unique, high-end neoprene that is naturally padded and will not scratch or rub 
• Resistant to water; shavings and hay; stain proof; machine washable and offers superb stretchability

You can see the slot where you can run a stirrup out.

My thoughts: I love this saddle cover in almost every way -- the only mildly annoying thing is that it doesn't quite fit my dressage saddle as well as I'd like (it fits, but could be a little bigger). I discussed that concern with the salesperson, and she said they're hoping to make them a touch larger in the future. I imagine that over time it will stretch a tiny bit and fit perfectly, but for now it's a bit tight. Aside from that, I LOVE this cover. I really like the option it offers to use your stirrups through it, so that you could cover your saddle in case of inclement weather and still ride! I also love that it's reversible -- I trail ride occasionally during hunting season, and I think that the bright orange color would be an easy way to be even more visible.

Stock photo from the Art of Liv'n site.

Art of Riding Boot Bag -- Pass This On
Protect your best riding boots while showcasing your style. Our soft high-end neoprene bags feature an extra-wide opening which allows you easy access without scratching your boots.

• Unique, extra wide 7” flap allows a pair of boots to be easily removed 
• Comfortable and strong handle easily hangs on any tack hook 
• Heavy-duty, easy slide rubberized dual zipper 
• Two spacious velcro closure pockets for accessories
• Made of unique, high-end neoprene that is naturally padded; resistant to water; shavings and hay; stain proof; machine washable and offers superb stretchability 
• Name tag window - Design your own personalized name tag card from our website

Pocket in the back where I plan to stash boot pulls!

My old show boots that obviously need to be cleaned haha. They worked well to "model"! Two interior pockets... maybe throw in some polish?

My thoughts: So much to love about this boot bag! It's spacious enough to easily fit my boots, while also feeling padded enough to offer great protection. I also really love the velcro accessory pockets -- I haven't filled mine yet because initially I was using my old show boots that zip, but the new Petries I got for Christmas are pull on, so a pair of boot pulls is going to be a necessity in my "show kit" -- so it's nice that I can stash them in the boot bag! It doesn't have a divider in the middle to separate the boots, but neither does my previous Kensington or Equine Couture bags, so that wasn't a deal breaker to me (although I know it might be for some people).

Stock photo from the Art of Liv'n site.

Art of Riding Bridle Bag -- Pass This On
A stylish compliment to your high quality tack. Our bridle bags feature a wide, oversized opening with dual easy-slide rubberized zippers for easy access of bridles, halters, cavesons and roomy pockets for all your needs.

• Unique, extra wide 9” flap opening for easy access
• Comfortable and strong handle easily hangs on any tack hook 
• Heavy-duty, easy slide rubberized dual zipper 
• Includes three easy-to-use and adjustable velcro straps
• Large gusset and stretchable material gives your bridles room 
• Two spacious velcro closure pockets for accessories
• Made of unique, high-end neoprene that is naturally padded; resistant to water; shavings and hay; stain proof; machine washable and offers superb stretchability 
• Name tag window - Design your own personalized name tag card from our website

Fully loaded!

 

Hard to photograph, but I tucked a bit and a spare browband into the pocket.

My thoughts: I love a good bridle bag! As an unashamed bridle whore, I frequently take multiple bridles with me to shows (even if I'm only showing one horse). At the last show I took this bag to, I fit two bridles (with reins) as well as two show halters and lead ropes comfortably. I love the velcro straps -- after breaking a clip on a previous bridle bag and rendering it useless, I've been biased towards the velcro straps. They're also great if you have bridles with anatomical crownpieces, which obviously are wider than the average crownpiece. My only minor complaint (and this is basically every bridle bag I've EVER owned) is that it could be a touch longer to accommodate reins.

Stock photo from the Art of Liv'n site.

Art of Riding Garment Bag -- Pass This On

Stylishly protect your garments and accessories during travel with our large book-opening travel bag.

• Full book opening for easy access to all of your garments
• Two spacious velcro closure pockets for accessories
• Naturally padded neoprene fold-over comfort handle will allow for two carry options
• Two hanging options - use interior velcro straps or the slotted hanger opening        
• Made of unique, high-end neoprene that is naturally padded; resistant to water; shavings and hay; stain proof; machine washable and offers superb stretchability 
• Name tag window - Design your own personalized name tag card from our website 

 

 

 

My thoughts: Honestly I wasn't really much of a garment bag person, until I got this bag. It was so nice to be able to tuck my show outfit (let's be real, it's me, there were multiple outfits) into the garment bag and hang it up in my trailer. I love that you can hang from both the carrying straps, or the hangers from your garments. It also has some awesome interior pockets for accessories -- I tucked in gloves, hairnets, bobby pins, etc. It's super easy to use and carry (bonus points, since I'm a naturally awkward human being).

Additional product details: A percentage of every Art of Riding purchase supports US and global Pony Clubs. They also offer a three year 100% replacement warranty. 

Overall Grade

Price: 4.5/5 (I had seen these products before they were sent to me, but I passed because of the price -- I think I paid a little less for my initial Equine Couture set, but it's priced similarly to the Kensington stuff I had been eyeballing. However, after doing some research, their prices are fairly in line for these type of products, and they offer a pretty sweet replacement warranty as well as giving some of the proceeds to Pony Club. Win win! Also, they're currently on sale!)
Quality/Durability: 5/5 (These items are great quality that will take a beating. I also love that the neoprene is machine washable! I washed my last EC set and it didn't necessarily come out of the machine well. I like that it doesn't seem to collect dust as badly as my previous sets. And they stand behind their product for three years, which is a guarantee I haven't seen from any other company!)
Color Options: 4/5 (Currently there are two patterns -- while I like the one I got [Pass This On], there could definitely be more.... In teal perhaps? ;) The perk of the current patterns? It would be very unlikely anyone would accidentally walk off with your stuff! It's very eye-catching.)

Not only are all of the products currently on sale, but Dusty (the salesperson who originally contacted me) has also provided a discount code! If you purchase from the Art of Liv'n website and use the code dusty5%, you can receive a 5% discount! The products are also available on Amazon.