Equibrand Performance
If you ride hard — barrels, roping, cutting, or long miles on the ranch — your tack takes a beating right along with your horse. Equibrand built its name on the gear that protects when it counts. Here's everything in the Equibrand family engineered for performance — Classic Equine leg protection and shock-absorbing pads, Cashel everyday tack, and Martin Saddlery leather — gathered in one place.
What Western Riders Are Actually Asking
Classic Equine Legacy boots or Professional's Choice SMBs?
It's the most-debated matchup in the barn. Classic Equine's Legacy2 and SMB boots deliver excellent suspensory support and impact protection; some riders find them a touch more substantial, while others want exactly that extra coverage for hard stops and tight turns. Both are pro-level — if your horse works hard, the Legacy2 won't let you down.
Are sport medicine boots really worth the money?
For a performance horse, yes. A quality SMB cradles the fetlock and helps support the suspensory ligament through hard work, and good boots last for years if you rinse and air-dry them. Think of them as cheap insurance against a soft-tissue injury that could sideline your horse for months.
Mohair, alpaca, or neoprene cinch?
Most seasoned riders lean toward natural fiber. Classic Equine mohair and alpaca-blend string cinches breathe, wick, and dry far better than neoprene, which can trap heat and rub sensitive horses raw. If your horse gets cinchy or sweat-galled, switching to a mohair cinch is often the fix.
Which pad works for a high-withered horse?
Look for contour and a wither-relief cut. Classic Equine's Zone Series felt and SensorFlex pads resist compression and absorb shock without bridging over prominent withers. For an A-frame back or muscle loss, pair with a correction pad like the BioFit to even out the contact.
How to Choose the Right Performance Tack
- Match the boot to the job: SMB/sport boots for support in speed events; splint or skid boots for reining and ranch work; bell boots to guard against overreach.
- Mind the fit: boots should sit snug but never pinch; the cinch should rest a hand's width behind the elbow without rubbing.
- Choose breathable materials: natural-fiber cinches and ventilated boot liners keep sensitive horses comfortable over long sessions.
- Protect the back: a shock-absorbing, non-slip pad sized to your saddle prevents pressure points and keeps the saddle from shifting.
Brands Riders Trust
Equibrand is the family behind some of Western performance's most trusted names. Classic Equine sets the standard for leg protection, shock-absorbing saddle pads, and string cinches. Cashel covers everyday comfort with bell boots, pads, and trail-ready gear. Martin Saddlery brings premium Texas leather to cinches, latigos, and flank straps. Together they protect your horse from the withers to the hoof.
We've been outfitting horses and riders since 1994, we ship fast from American warehouses, and the folks packing your order ride too. Not sure which boot or pad fits your horse? Just ask — we're glad to help you get it right. Happy Tails, Happy Trails.
