Keeping a horse is expensive enough without paying over the odds for every bit of yard kit. This guide focuses on the cheapest Shires horse riding and stable essentials that are still worth your money in 2026.
We have picked out simple, hard-working pieces that cover feeding, storage and groundwork while keeping the upfront cost right down. None of them are flashy, but each one offers sensible design and everyday practicality from a trusted equestrian brand.
Rather than just chasing the lowest ticket price, we have chosen items that balance cost with usability and safety, so you can save money without feeling like you have cut too many corners.
These recommendations are based on the actual features, pricing and role of each product in the wider Shires range, not just how cheap it looks at first glance. We look closely at what each piece of kit is designed to do and how it compares with alternatives at a similar price.
We focus on models that offer straightforward, reliable performance for everyday horse owners, where small design details can make a big difference in the yard. Where there are likely compromises compared with more premium Shires gear, we call them out clearly so you know what you are trading off.
Our aim is to highlight budget-friendly Shires options that still feel like sensible, safe purchases, rather than false economies that you will regret once they are in daily use.
We started by looking at the lower-priced end of the Shires range for stable equipment, accessories, tack and training lines that many riders rely on every day. From there, we prioritised items that deliver clear functional benefits, like tidier feeding, easier storage or more comfortable handling, at around the £10 mark.
Anything that felt too flimsy for regular yard use, or that appeared to cut corners on basic safety and practicality, was filtered out. We then compared what you get for your money across feeding nets, hangers and handling kit, making sure the cheaper options still offer a sensible upgrade over no-name budget alternatives.
The final list gives you a mix of feeding, hanging and groundwork essentials so you can kit out key areas of your stable routine without overspending, while still sticking with a familiar equestrian brand.
Below are the Shires yard and training essentials that stand out for combining very low prices with everyday practicality. Each one costs around a tenner, yet tackles a common stable job in a simple, effective way.
Some are ideal if you simply want the lowest cost functional option, while others make sense if you are happy to spend the same modest amount on something that works a little harder for you and your horse.
A simple, generous haylage net that keeps forage contained without costing a fortune. Ideal if you need extra nets for the yard or lorry at a rock-bottom price.
For around £10, the Shires Haylage Net Large gives you a roomy net that can take a decent quantity of forage, ideal for stables, tie-up areas or transport. Sticking with a Shires-branded net at this price means you avoid the very flimsy feel of some unbranded budget options. The large size helps reduce the need for frequent refills, which is handy on busy yard days. As one of the cheapest Shires feeding solutions, it is an easy way to build up a collection of nets so you always have a clean one to hand.
As a basic, low-priced net, the Shires Haylage Net Large is unlikely to be as tough as heavy-duty or specialist slow-feeder designs. Very destructive horses may chew or pull at it more quickly, so you may need to replace it sooner than a premium net. The large capacity also means that if you routinely overfill it, the weight could shorten its lifespan.
This large haylage net is ideal for owners who need a few extra nets in rotation without spending much. It suits everyday stable feeding, travel and yard use where convenience matters more than premium materials. If your horse is reasonably kind to nets and you simply want a practical way to contain forage, this is a very cost-effective option.
A rubber covered overcheck from Shires that adds a bit of comfort and protection to your horse’s mouth without adding much to your tack budget.
The Shires rubber covered overcheck is an affordable way to soften the feel of metal in your horse’s mouth, which can be reassuring if you are on a tight budget but still conscious of comfort. The rubber covering offers a little extra cushioning and can help reduce the sharpness of cold metal, particularly in cooler weather. Because it comes from Shires, fit and finish should be more consistent than generic bargain-bin alternatives, while still sitting firmly in the entry-level price bracket. It is a sensible option if you want to tweak your existing bit set-up without buying entirely new hardware.
Being a cheap accessory, the rubber covered overcheck will not offer the same level of refinement or tailored fit as more advanced bitting solutions. The rubber may wear over time, especially with horses that chew, so it is important to monitor the surface and replace it if it becomes rough or damaged. Riders looking for highly specialised bit configurations may find this a little too basic.
The rubber covered overcheck is best for riders who want an inexpensive way to soften the feel of existing bitwork. It suits horses that are sensitive to bare metal or riders who are experimenting with comfort tweaks on a tight budget. If you are not ready to invest in specialist bitting, but want to make a small improvement, this is a sensible starting point.
A straightforward multi-hook hanger that keeps headcollars, lead ropes and lightweight kit off the floor. A cheap way to bring order to busy stable walls.
The Shires Handy Hanger is the kind of low-cost accessory that makes day-to-day yard life easier. For about the price of a couple of coffees, you get a simple way to hang headcollars, lightweight rugs, grooming bags or jackets, keeping them clean and easy to grab. It helps reclaim floor space in busy tack rooms or wash bays, which is especially useful in shared yards where clutter builds up quickly. Being a Shires design, it is created with horsey hardware in mind, so the hook spacing and overall shape are well suited to common yard kit.
The Handy Hanger is designed for light stable use, so it may not be the best choice for very heavy items or constant tugging. It is also a fairly simple, functional piece of kit with no locking features, so it relies on being mounted in a sensible, safe place. If you want something more permanent or heavy-duty, a more robust wall-mounted system could be a better investment.
Choose the Shires Handy Hanger if you are constantly battling clutter in the stable or tack room and want a cheap, quick fix. It is perfect for livery yards, mobile tack areas or trailers where you need flexible hanging space that can be moved or repositioned easily. Budget-conscious owners who value a tidy workspace will get plenty of daily use from it.
A deluxe twist on the basic hay net, offering a tidier, more controlled way to feed without a big jump in price. Suits owners wanting better features on a strict budget.
The Shires Deluxe Hay Net offers a step up from basic nets while staying very wallet friendly. That ‘deluxe’ touch usually translates to neater construction and more thoughtful design details, which can help reduce hay wastage and mess around the stable door. For roughly the same money as a no-frills net, you get something that feels more considered, making it good long-term value if you are refilling nets day in, day out. It is a smart pick if you are willing to spend a tenner but want to squeeze every bit of functionality out of that small spend.
Despite the ‘deluxe’ name, this is still a budget hay net, so you should not expect the most rugged materials or specialist slow-feeding patterns found on higher-end designs. Greedy or very strong horses might benefit from a more reinforced option. Overfilling or dragging it around the yard will quickly highlight its limits compared with premium nets.
The Deluxe Hay Net suits owners who are still watching every pound but want something a bit smarter than the most basic nets. It is a good choice if your horse wastes hay or you are tired of constantly sweeping up dropped forage around the door. If you feed from nets every day and want a touch more functionality without paying premium prices, this is a strong pick.
A cushion web lunge line that is kind on your hands yet still firmly in the budget bracket. Great value for everyday schooling and groundwork.
For a lunge line around the £10 mark, the Shires Cushion Web Lunge Line represents strong value. The cushion web material is usually softer in the hand than thin, harsh webbing, which makes longer schooling sessions more comfortable and reduces the risk of rope burn. It is long enough for basic groundwork and lunging without feeling unwieldy for riders who are still building confidence. As a Shires product, clips and stitching should be more dependable than the very cheapest training lines, so you are not constantly worrying about hardware failing mid-session.
As a budget lunge line, the Cushion Web Lunge Line will not have all the extra grip patterns or ultra-robust clips of top-end schooling lines. Heavy, daily professional use may show wear more quickly, particularly around the clip and hand end. Riders who lunge powerful horses may prefer something thicker or with added grip for extra confidence.
This cushion web lunge line is ideal for riders who lunge occasionally or a few times a week and want something comfortable without spending heavily. It works well for schooling young horses, groundwork or reintroducing work after time off. If your priority is an affordable, kinder-feeling line from a known equestrian brand, it hits a sweet spot.
