Tack Review: Horse Holster

I know normally I run tack review posts on Thursdays, but we're gonna mix it up a little this week! A few years ago, I ran across a Facebook page advertising a product called a Horse Holster. I was intrigued, because I try to make it a habit to carry my phone when I ride (because I frequently ride alone), but it can be tricky, especially when it's too warm to wear a jacket with pockets. I find most breeches pockets aren't really comfortably large enough for the smartphones of today (minus one pair of FITS summer tights I have with a huge thigh pocket). I checked out their site immediately, but found the initial selection of colors a little lackluster. I "liked" the page anyway, because I hoped eventually they'd expand the color options. And sure enough, a few weeks later I saw an ad for TEAL.

Fresh out of the packaging!

Obviously, I had to have one. This was shortly after I destroyed a phone on a trail ride -- it fell out of my jacket pocket and Ruby stepped on it.... ughhhhh. So I forwarded a link to my dad as a possible birthday idea, and he came through like a champ! I got it in May of 2016 and immediately put it to good use. Ever since then, I've used it on probably 90% of trail rides and probably upwards of 70% of my arena rides. It's especially key when I'm using my bluetooth speaker! Honestly any time I don't use it is almost always just because I forgot, not because I made a conscious decision to not use it. It stays put while I ride, and has never damaged my saddle in any way (the two most common questions people have for me haha).

Wearing it on a ride with Cinna this spring.

So what is a Horse Holster? From their website:
Big or small, it fits them all! Fits ANY & ALL phone/case combos, plus room for other items!
Special Features:
- Zipper pocket for keys, money, ID, etc.
- No slip strap included for extra support

Stock photo from their website -- when I got my first one, the no slip strap wasn't available yet, but I do have them on my spares.

2 Leg Sizes for Strap: *sizes vary per person *Leg strap is elastic and will gain 1" to 2" after being worn.- All leg straps are 2"W
- Thighs 16" to 24" (~pants size 0-8)
- Thighs 24" to 32" (~pants size 8+)
*Longer leg strap will still fit thighs as small as 22"
Material: Flexible, water resistant neoprene; leg strap includes elastic

And of course on Ruby.

I loved mine so much that when I saw they were having a sale on factory seconds last fall (with some zipper issues), I picked up 2 more (one black, one teal) for myself and DH. I don't really use the zippered pocket, although I can see where it would be helpful if you wanted to carry an ID or keys or something. The new ones have wider straps, bigger/stronger velcro, and the new "no slip strap". We haven't actually used them yet (mostly because we didn't do too much trail riding this winter, plus I didn't see the point in starting to use the new one when my old one still worked fine), but hopefully we will break them out on some adventures this summer!

My original (sorry, the flash didn't go off so it looks a little washed out). Also I had just washed off a dirt stain so any discoloration is from it being damp.

Original on the left, newer one on the right. You can see the wider strap, and the no slip strap at the top.

The original -- you can see a little pilling underneath the black velcro at the top. Still 100% functional! Also apparently I missed some stains on the strap? Haha.

Yeah the original on the left was still really wet for my impromptu photoshoot, haha. But a better comparison of the strap widths.

Original on left, new on right -- you can see the difference in the velcro sizes. Also the newer ones have way stronger velcro.

I was a dutiful wife and got DH's in black (since I figured he might object to teal). Also, I thought it might be useful to be able to tell them apart, haha.

Rocking it at the Haunted Hunter Pace last fall hopping over some logs.

Price: 4.5/5
As of writing this review, it looks like most color options are priced at $29.99. My first one was a gift, but I feel like they were a bit cheaper then. Maybe like $25 for the original style? If you sign up for their email list or follow their Facebook page, sometimes you can buy a factory second for much cheaper.
Quality/Durability: 5/5
My 2 y/o one still looks great -- there is some pilling on the underside where the inside sometimes misses the velcro, but it still looks perfect from the outside. It's machine washable, although I've only hand washed mine after some muddy trail rides.
Color Options: 5/5
Current options include black, blaze orange, blue, green, burgundy, navy, pink, purple, red, teal, and several patterned options!

Overall, if you like to have your phone on you while you ride, I highly recommend one of these!