Untacked

EDITOR'S PICKS 86    S E P T E M B E R /O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 | U N TAC K E D PHOTO COURTESY OAKLYN BRINGING AN ECO-FRIENDLY ETHOS TO THE BARN There's no question that the equestrian world requires a lot of gear, but some companies are striving to reduce their environmental footprint with tack and apparel made from recycled materials. By Kimberly Loushin If you're looking for something a little fancier, there is an Argentinian pattern and some fancy stitching options available. Prices range from $84.99-$98.95, depending on your liner and design choice. Sizes 38-56. You can learn more or purchase at Oaklyntack.com. From Plastic Bottles To Girths For anyone looking to make their tack more environmentally friendly, Oaklyn's girths fit the bill. They're made from recycled polyester that's derived from plastic bottles, as well as some pre- consumer manufacturing waste. The resulting material requires less energy to make, emitting less greenhouse gas, than traditional polyester. The girth has two liner options: wool blend or non-slip. The wool, which comes in black or white, is sourced from U.S. farmers who adhere to strict animal husbandry guidelines. While the non-slip liner is made of neoprene, once it wears out, you can return the liner to Oaklyn for recycling, and the company will give you a 15 percent discount on your next purchase. I tested the non-slip version and couldn't find fault with this well-crafted girth. I love that it includes black elastic because the beige variety on most girths gets dirty and dingy so quickly. The liners are attached with Velcro, so they're easy to remove for cleaning or to swap out.

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