How to Buy a Horse Grooming Kit

A well-stocked horse-grooming kit is essential for every rider.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Betadine Scrub
• Hoof Picks
• Horse Medications
• Leather Hole Punchers
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Gauze Pads
• Rubber Massagers
• Stretch Gauze
• Sunscreen
• Elastic Wrap
• Fly Repellent
• Grooming Brush
• Medium-bristled Horse Brush
• Protective Horse Boots
• Soft-bristled Horse Brush
• Tack Box
• Slotted Screwdrivers

1. Buy a tack box or bucket. Something with lots of compartments will help you stay organized, sturdy plastic will stand up to heavy wear-and-tear, and a comfortable handle makes toting your grooming kit to and from the tack room a breeze.

2. Choose an array of brushes. An extra-soft, soft-bristled brush is good for the face, a soft- or medium-bristled brush works well for the body, and a stiff-bristled brush helps get knots out of the mane and tail.

3. Find a rubber massager. These items work two ways: as a deep scrubber for getting out embedded dirt from the coat, and as a massager. Most are the size of your palm or have a handle that slips over your hand.

4. Get a hoof pick, either in simple metal or with a thick, plastic handle and stiff bristles to scrub away dirt and mud. Every time before you ride or turn your horse out, you should pick her hooves.

5. Spray bottles come in handy for mixing mane and tail conditioners, spritzing water, and quick cleanups.

6. Keep fly spray available for keeping the fly population to a minimum. You can also find packets of moist wipes impregnated with fly spray that are great to use around your horse's eyes, muzzle, and other sensitive areas.

7. Have a supply of rubber bands. These are great for braiding manes or tails.

8. Gather a small first aid kit consisting of betadine scrub for washing out wounds, antibiotic ointment to protect from infection, gauze pads to cover wounds, some sort of wrap to keep the gauze in place, and pain medication such as bute.

9. Add a small collection of safety pins, sunscreen, hair ties, leather ties, a flat-head screwdriver for undoing bridles and tightly laced leather.

10. Include a leather hole puncher for adjusting strap lengths.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep these items with you when you're riding your horse.

on 9/23/2006 If you keep your horse at a stable then most likely you keep your grooming kit there to. You should put your name, or at least your initials, on all of your items to prevent them from being stolen or lost.

on 8/7/2006 Always clean your brushes to get rid of the sweat and grease, otherwise the grime will transfer back on o your horse or pony's coat.

on 1/23/2006 If you have more than one horse, buy each horse a different color of brushes so they don't get mixed together (some horses may have skin problems you don't want to be spread).

on 11/22/2005 While you are out getting grooming supplies, get the best you can afford, because your horse deserves it!