New Horse Checklist
I’ll never forget the first few months of owning my horse. Despite having worked, ridden, and been around horses for over TWO DECADES… we still managed to rack up vet bills, fall off, and learn some valuable lessons in how to be prepared. Boy howdy, how I wish I’d had a new horse checklist. So here you go, and congratulations on your first horse and the fun and wild ride we call horse ownership.
Many of these items require some shopping – so remember that old saying about construction – it will likely take twice as long and cost twice as much. Pad your budget well!
Table of Contents
Gather your horse’s medical history
Blankets, fly sheets, and coolers
Stall supplies – manure clean-up and bedding
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Jump to video and shopping
Create a horse care team with records for your new horse
People to line up for your new horse
- Where is your horse going to live? There are so many factors involved here, and there are so many questions to ask potential boarding barns. If you need to look for a boarding barn, this article has a few questions to start asking.
- Finding your horse a new home goes hand in hand with finding the right trainer and/or barn manager. I have heard that it can take months or even a year to feel like you know your horse. Having a good team to help you learn about your horse’s habits, dislikes, and spook triggers will greatly help you – especially if you can’t spend 12 hours a day at the barn. I still love to hear stories from the barn peeps telling me that “Migs did this…or did that….”
Find a veterinarian you like, and then get all of the deets about how they operate!
The vet and farrier team
- Who is their veterinarian? Before you need the vet, set up an account and learn office hours, who to call after hours, payment policies, etc. You might also be able to have your new horse’s records transferred from their previous vet.
- Who is your new horse’s farrier? New horse lesson #1 – Murphy’s law applies to everything – including removing shoes that were put on the day before you picked them up.
- Insurance Agent! Insurance is an option and, in many cases, a very wise one. A few vet bills without insurance will show you how helpful it can be.
Maybe their current farrier can become your farrier?
Get this info about your new horse before your unicorn comes home
- Their medical history. You may (or may not) have been given their medical history upon purchase, but at the very least you need some valuable information such as their most recent:
- Vaccines – which vaccines and when they were given!
- Fecal Egg Count – results and any deworming medications and when they were dosed.
- Last farrier visit – know when they’re due again and how many weeks (typically) in between visits.
- Last doses of medications/supportive care: Many horses receive joint injections or regular injections of joint support meds. When is your horse due again?
- Membership numbers. If “Fancy Pants” is your new show horse, it’s time to start registering them (or moving registration) to your show organizations of choice. There’s nothing like showing up to the first show without all of your numbers!
Find out your new horse’s routine
- Learn their eating routine. Chances are that their new barn and their previous barn are not going to feed on the exact same schedule or have the exact same feed. Knowing the old routine can help you transition into the new one. You may find that the new barn is willing to create a smooth transition for them.
- Their exercise and turnout routine. Many, many horses have a routine; some horses seem to know exactly what time it is and how many minutes you are early or late! Other horses are more adaptable because they live on the road from show to show. Either way, having a general idea of your horse’s typical day will help them be comfortable with their new surroundings and people.
Shopping for grooming supplies is probably my favorite thing to do!
Are there any legal requirements that should be included in a new horse checklist?
Yes, legal and regulatory requirements are crucial for new horse ownership. These may include horse identification documents, the bill of sale, health certificates, import/export permits if applicable, and compliance with local animal welfare laws. Ensure all legal aspects are in order before bringing a new horse home.
New horse equipment checklist
Now, the fun part – gathering all of the horse equipment and tools you need for your equine partner. This is a starting point – there are plenty of other things that you will pick up as you learn more.
Basic grooming supplies.
Of all the grooming tools you need, the hoof pick is by far the most important. Your new horse can be dirty—they love it. But hoof care is so darn important that the hoof pick floats to the top of the priority list.
- Curry comb
- Grooming gloves
- Dandy brush or stiff brush
- Finishing brush
- Soft brush
- Hoof pick
- Cactus cloth
- Mane brush
- Tail comb
- Tote or box for all of your grooming tools
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$24.99
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Grooming products
Nothing says “Brand New Horse” quite like a bucket full of grooming products that are not goopy! Here are the basics for you to pick up:
- Shampoo
- Grooming oil that doubles as a detangler, too!
- Shine spray
- Spot remover, aka no-rinse shampoo
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$19.99
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Horse hoof necessities
A hoof pick is one tool you can never have too many of. And you should also pick up these things:
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- Hoof polish
- Thrush product
- Spare hoof picks
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$19.99
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$22.98
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New horse checklist – basic first aid kit
While not used as often (hopefully) as grooming kit stuff, perhaps more important. You can’t go wrong with a thermometer, stethoscope, wound cleaners, diapers or maxi pads, elastic medical tape, and wound ointment to help with minor injuries and support with health care. You can fill in some of the other items, but these will get you through daily TPR checks and help you with nicks, cuts, etc. Work on completing your first aid kit over time. For ideas on what you need, read this.
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- Thermometer
- Stethoscope
- Weight tape
- Bandaging materials
- Electrolytes in paste form
- 12cc syringes
- Diapers
- Elastic tape
- Self – adhesive tape
- Wound ointment
- Wound cleaner
- Hoof boot
- Leg boot for ice
- Oral painkiller (from your vet)
- Some sort of sturdy container or toolbox
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$70.27
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A must for every horse owner!
Blankets, sheets, coolers, and fly gear
Start building your new horse’s blanket collection by purchasing what they need now or in a few weeks. For spring and summer, fly sheets, scrim sheets, cotton sheets, and a rain sheet are recommended. For fall and winter, a rain sheet, light blanket, medium blanket, or heavy blanket (depending on your distance from the equator) is also recommended. Fly masks are also available year-round!
- Fly sheet
- Fly mask
- Fly boots
- Irish knit or light fleece cooler
- Waterproof turnout sheet
- Heavier waterproof horse blankets, depending on your weather
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$50.00
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Horse supplies check list – tack
Saddle and bridle and all of that stuff! If you are lucky enough to have some of their existing tack included in the purchase, you are well on your way to allowing them to be comfortable (hopefully) as this stuff should fit them! I encourage you to find an independent saddle fitter to help you find the perfect new or used saddle for your new horse. Many saddle fitters work with all brands and all styles.
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- Halter with breakaway crownpiece
- Lead ropes
- Bridle and reins
- English or Western saddle
- Stirrups and stirrup leathers
- Girth or cinch
- Martingale if used
- Tack cleaning goodies!
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$11.09
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$9.95
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$8.66
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Saddle pads
I believe that saddle pads are just as tricky to fit as saddles, so you may buy a few styles until the right one appears. Contoured toplines are a must, and you will need to find one with the gullet strap in just the right place. You may also find that your favorite purple sparkling saddle pad doesn’t work with your new saddle, so here’s an opportunity to find another style and color that does. For more on saddle pads, this article is for you.
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- Schooling pads
- Fancy show pad
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$54.99
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$74.99
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$192.92
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Leg protection.
No leg, no horse. Before you even load them up to come home, your equine buddy needs a new set of shipping boots or standing wraps with bell boots! You only have to see a horse shred their entire lower leg sliding off the side of a horse trailer ramp once before you are convinced that shipping protection is needed. Besides a hoof pick, this is the top of the new horse checklist must-have.
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- Polo wraps
- Sport boots
- Shipping boots
- Quilts and standing bandages
- Bell boots
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$59.95
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$179.99
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$129.95
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This is where we live now? AWESOME!
Supplements and feeding
Ideally, your new horse can continue to eat the diet they are accustomed to as they settle into a new home. If a diet change is needed, do so slowly and over several weeks.
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- Ration balancer
- Vitamin and mineral supplement
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplement
- Any specific supplements to support your horse’s medical conditions
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Stall supplies – manure clean-up and bedding
You will be amazed at how much manure your horse can produce. The best stall setups have lots of absorbent bedding and treatments to banish ammonia odors. They also have the most thorough stall cleaner (that’s you) for picking manure and stripping urine as often as possible.
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- Bedding
- Ammonia busting zeolites
- Manure fork
- Muck tub or wheelbarrow
- Broom
- Shovel
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$58.09
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$2.99
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$49.77
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$47.86
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New horse owner checklist – Riding supplies for you
It’s time to treat yourself to some new riding gear! Make sure you have the proper:
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- Breeches or riding pants
- Helmet – brain bucket for the win
- Gloves
- Heeled riding boots
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$125.99
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$59.92
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$99.95
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What other things must you have before your Mr. Dreamy comes home?
Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.
Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.
This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.
This boot holds meds and hoof packing, and providers protection.
This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.
Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying.
Omega 3's plus gut health support in a delicious cold milled flax formula. It's delicious and it will turn your horse's coat into a mirror.
Pick your size, pick your color, go riding!
You can also visit my Amazon storefront here: PEG storefront.
The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products.
Sort of a mix between a finishing brush and a body brush. Soft for sensitive horses.
Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote.
Boost shine and create a smooth coat with this medium brush from the best of the best - HAAS. Go forth and shine!
Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.
These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.
Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.
Other sizes, too! Adds shine with the most gentle formula.
The best shampoo for shine and soothing.
This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.
For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains.
Brighten duns, palominos, and golden colors.
For dark bays, black points, and black horses
For cleaners, grooming products, and plain water for braiding.
Brighten duns, palominos, and golden colors.
For dark bays, black points, and black horses
This waterproof tail bag is especially great for white and gray tails.
Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.
Protect your horse's tail during travel.
Cover scars and enhance your horse's color with this medium brown shade.
This spot-on product kills and repels ticks and helps with mosquito control.
This style is great for riding!
Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse.
For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better.
LeMieux has more colors than the paint section of a hardware store. I promise they have one you like!
These fly masks are fantastic for protecting ears and eyes, and do great under halters and grazing muzzles to stop rubs and hairless patches.
Use code 15PROEQUINE for a sitewide discount on muzzles, halters, accessories, and slow feeders.
This cordless trimmer is powerful and comes with the 5-in-2 blade system for versatility.
This is my favorite clipper - It's great for body clipping, trace clipping, and trimming. Cordless for the win!
A classic pattern in a modern colorway. And it's so thick!
Soak up all the sweat and water with this Irish Knit, best for warm weather use.
Irish knits are the best wicking coolers for warmer weather.
Square coolers are traditional and versatile, and wick more than a fleece cooler.
Help your horse cool out in hot and humid weather.
This style is great for riding!
Keep your horse dry and visible with this reflective quarter sheet.
This heavyweight turnout blanket gets even warmer with the neck.
Sweet itch is best battled by not letting those annoying midges bite your horse.
For horses with sweet itch and other insect allergies, more coverage is better.
This turnout sheet doesn't have fill, and is great for windy and rainy days.
This affordable heavy blanket will keep your horse warm in the worst weather and cold snap.
Be seen from space with this hi-viz quarter sheet. Keep your horse's bum safe and dry.
Keep your horse dry and spiffy with this cooler combo. Love the neck for fast drying.
Keep your horse dry during bad weather, this rain sheet is also great for windy days.
