Stock up your tack room with this spring shopping list for your horse
There are some top priorities for springtime horse grooming and care – laminitis prevention and shedding! Then tackle the flies and pastern dermatitis prevention and treatment. Thanks, spring showers – you bring the flowers, but you also bring the mud and scratches. You’re kind of a jerk, rain, when you really think about it. Oh – and if you are so inclined, you can pick up some blanket cleaning and waterproofing stuff so that you are not storing stinky blankets all summer long.
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Here’s my springtime shopping list for my horse
- The absolute top of my list is a muzzle to make sure my horse won’t be a victim of laminitis. Spring is dangerous – especially if your horse is metabolically challenged. I use the GG-Equine muzzle, and now it comes in super fun colors like raspberry and lime!
Safety break-away halter for grazing muzzles.
The best muzzle in the land – order one here! Also in raspberry and black colors.
Use code 15PROEQUINE for a lovely discount!
- Next on my list is grooming, shedding, and springtime spruce-ups. I can’t EVER say enough good things about the wet and dry HandsOn Grooming Gloves. These make shedding a breeze, and you can easily use them on your horse’s legs and face and all of the part. BONUS – use code PEG at checkout for some free shipping! #score
HandsOn Grooming Gloves – also, use code PEG for some free shipping!
- This is going to sound weird, and if you know me at all, that’s normal. I also use grooming oil to help my horse shed. There’s a point at which your arms are going to fall off and you just can’t curry anymore. So bust out a washcloth and some No. 1 Light Oil to pick up the stray hairs. Bonus here – mega shine and super conditioning of your horse’s coat.
- I also clip my horse in the spring. He tends to be extra fuzzy, and the weather warms up long before his winter fuzzies are gone. I body clip with KM 10’s, and do the rest with trimmers, like the Chromado. Trimmers are handy for wounds, bridle paths, fetlocks, and all of the little places.
Wahl Professional Animal KM10 2-Speed Brushless Motor Pet Clipper Kit, Turquoise
A lovely set of trimmers – because the 5 in 1 blade is the best! It goes from a #40 to a #9 blade for all trimming needs.
- And then there are the oh-so-fun springtime skin issues. Mud can create lots of problems, not the least of which is scratches and equine pastern dermatitis. I’m a huge fan of using socks for your horse. Yes, you read that correctly, socks. The silver in these socks helps all sorts of leg and skin issues. Pair it with some medicated shampoo and you are in business!
You can order these fancy socks at www.soxforhorses.com.
- Nothings says “Spring Is Here!” quite like skin funk on your horse. Between the mud, sweat, and shedding, your horse’s skin might need some help. Medi-Care shampoo is totally soothing and helpful in that department.
Medi-Care shampoo has Tea-Tree Oil and Lemongrass to soothe irritated skin. And, because it’s Shapley’s, you can guarantee that your horse will shine. And smell fantastic!
- There’s a lot I do for hoof health – diet, proper farrier work, staying ahead of thrush, etc. Spring presents a huge hoof challenge with its wet/dry cycle. I use a hoof hardener to stay ahead of cracks and loose shoes and seedy toe.
Hoof Gel is great at protecting the hoof.
- Now let’s tackle fly control. If I had a penny for every fly that I have cussed out, I’d be a kabillionaire. But luckily I have these handy dandy things to keep them away from my horse, instead.
Fly sheet
Fly sheet
I have no qualms about dressing my horse from top to bottom with protective gear. I like this Mio sheet, it’s ultra-light. The downside is that it can tear a bit easily and pills up if the velcro snags it. The upside is that I’ve had my original one for two summers now, heading into a third.
Shoofly fly boots – my absolute favorite
Cashel Crusader Horse Fly Mask with Ears and Long Nose – select size
Cashel Quiet Ride Standard Horse Fly Mask with Ears for riding
Cashel Quiet Ride Bug Armor – 2 Piece Set
I’m a fan of looking silly when I ride, so I opt for one of these quiet ride suits for my horse. It’s lightweight and keeps the bugs off. Swishing and head swinging and getting bitten while riding is finished!
- And then there’s the subject of getting your winter blankets sorted, cleaned, waterproofed, and stored until the fall.
For waterproofing after you have washed your horse’s blankets:
Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On Waterproofing
Nikwax Rug Proof Waterproofing
Thank you, and merry shopping!