Why I Love Craigslist

Craigslist is to me what eBay used to be: a good source to sell items (mainly horse items) that I no longer needed, wanted, used, or could afford to keep (many a time I have sold things to gain others). After the eBay fees though, I started to abandon their site for selling, and even very rarely check there for things I need/desire. Instead, I have turned to Craigslist.

I have gained a multitude of items and things from Craigslist; many miscellaneous horse items (most recently, those to stock my trailer with), my horse trailer (also sold my Logan trailer via this site), and even found my current job through Craigslist. Needless to say, Craigslist is probably the first place I go to when I'm looking for something I want, or to sell something. If you havent already, I would recommend checking out the site (buyer and seller beware, however, there are no protections for either party like there are via eBay).

Why, I got my trusty (and now well used) fluffy(ish) bareback pad off of Craigslist for a shallow $5. A leather headstall, reins, brushes, halter and lead, for a mere $25 after shipping. And most recently, I got a pair of leather skid boots for the song of only $7.

I have been searching for a nice pair of leather skid boots since probably October when I started competing in reining. Not one who could swallow spending $60 on foo-foo name brand ones, I had been surfing Craigslist and other internet forums searching for a pair in good shape, and for a good price. I found many advertised for around $25, many with notable wear and tear.

Then there was the intance where I found a very nice set, in good condition, for only $20. I emailed the seller asking the usual things: 'is the item still for sale?' and 'are you willing to ship?' and we had a few email responses back and forth about the skid boots. Seller had agreed to ship so I asked if she would be willing to accept Paypal, as this is the site I most usually pay for online items with. My reply back from her was some capitalized foul words and ending in "F OFF SCAMMER!" (not censored, however). Offended, but deciding it isnt worth getting into an email fight over, and she would be selling the item to me now anyways now believing I was a scammer, I replied that I hope she have a nice day and good luck selling the item. Needless to say, I was furious inside. First of all, Paypal is a highly reputable site. I could have understanded being upset if I offered a cashiers check or something of the like. Then to curse at me via e-mail without even making another thought, was just plain rude. If she really thought I was a scammer she could have just said that the item sold or something. And lastly, I was upset because I really did want the skid boots.

Story aside though, I periodically kept searching online ads, beginning to think I really just needed to buy a pair of new ones. I found some synthetic leather ones new for roughly $18, but wasnt sure how synthetic would not only hold up, but be comfortable as well as breathing.

Then I got lucky and found a Craigslist ad for leather skid boots. There were actually two sets, each advertised for only $7 a pair. I quickly emailed the owner and she helped me determine which of the two would be of the best quality and work for what I needed. What a nice seller!

So the skid boots arrived last night, so I havent been able to try them on Milo yet. But they felt durable and supple in my hands, the underside of the fetlock protection a very soft and cushy leather coating, I almost want to think its deerskin its so soft and supple. I dont have any real fear that they wont fit, as they are adjustable top and bottom.


Photo taken in my truck, I was so excited to open them

 So, not a whole lot to them, but you can see the tough outer side for the fetlock protection, and the soft inner side as well. Pictured is the way they go on, with the larger adjustment up on the leg for better stability.

I think I will start incorporating these into my daily rides, not just for competition. I in no way want Milo to ever hurt himself when going into the dirt, nor do I want him to associate any negatives (ie pain) as a result of tucking up underneath himself. Fellow reiners out there, do you use your skids for every day arena riding, or do you save them for competition?