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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on HorseCriteria follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Fit before features
Every guide starts with how the gear should fit the horse or the rider, and who should check it.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs and sizing charts, the SEI listing of helmets certified to ASTM F1163, saddle fitting guidance from professional fitter associations, and university extension and veterinary association guidance on horse care.
What we check, by product type
| Saddles | Discipline, tree type and gullet width, seat size, panel design, materials and adjustability. |
|---|---|
| Helmets | ASTM F1163 certification with SEI tag, other standards, fit system, ventilation and replacement guidance. |
| Blankets | Fill weight in grams, denier, waterproofing, sizing by length, fit features and turnout or stable use. |
| Grooming and clippers | Blade types, motor speed, noise, cooling and cordless run time. |
| Barn equipment | Materials, capacity, safety for horses, cleaning and installation. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.