Essential Horse Supplies for Every Day Riders

So you love to spend hours at the barn every day. Here’s a guide of the bare essentials you must have at the barn when you ride a horse every day.

Before you even step foot into the barn, you should have the proper attire for riding. Your clothing should consist of jodhpurs or breeches, boots, riding gloves, your helmet and a riding shirt. You could ride in jeans however, the seam on the inside of your pants can leave marks on your saddle and aren’t very comfortable to ride in. Your boots can either be paddock boots or tall boots, whatever you prefer along with half chaps too. Your helmet is essential for riding to protect your noggin in case of a fall. If you choose to ride in gloves you can; gloves are an option and help protect your hands from the reins.

Now that you are at the barn and have the proper clothing, you need to have the proper equipment for riding a horse or pony. The tack and gear for your friend consists of a saddle and saddle pad, bridle and bit, a girth and protective boots for his legs if you are going to be doing some jumping. Before you even hop on your horse, you should properly clean him up and brush him with grooming supplies. In your “brush box” you should have a body brush, a dandy brush (or a soft brush), mane pulling comb, curry comb, a hoof pick and some hoof conditioner.

Everyday riders should also have some other essential items for their horses or ponies. A few good items to have are a halter and lead rope, as well as fly spray to keep those pesky insects away and a first aid kit. Everyone in the barn should know where a first aid kit or supplies are in case of an emergency. You must not also forget about bathing supplies. For bathing your horse, you will need sponges, a bucket, shampoo and conditioner and a squeegee (or something to wipe the excess water off).

Other essential horse supplies are health related such as feeds, supplements and treats. It’s important to talk to a veterinarian about vitamins and supplements that are best for your horse before you go out a purchase one. Horses also eat hay and grass so it is important to add hay to their diet. Also talk with someone about the best feed for your horse, or if you board, ride or lease a horse at a farm, this should already be taken care of. If you own your own horse, then you should have stable and turnout blankets and sheets as well. You should have blankets on hand just in case of the weather. If you don’t own your own horse, then the farm you ride at should have blankets or sheets the horse you are riding.

If you ride just about every day or are around them every day, then there are a lot of supplies needed for their care, upkeep and for you as a rider. Yes this may seem like a lot, but it is worth the rewards.