Are there any products that make riding&barn life easier for you?

[TouchstoneAcres]

[QUOTE=cadriver;4449532]
“Does the U shaped wash area have cross ties in the top of the U or the bottom?”

Here is a picture of one like what I have
http://www.mdbarns.com/catalogD.aspx?Catalogid=10

Scroll down and you will see it, the horse goes in front words and I usually just put a butt chain on the end and don’t even tie the horse.

As for vacum,
i don’t really groom in the wash rack since we have it on a bit of slope for water to drain, I groom in the barn or breezeway of my mare motel. And the overhead space in the barn is taken up by a canoe… But an overhead hose would probably work. just like water if I could figure out where to mount it:-)[/QUOTE]

That’s what my vet uses for stocks.

[Capilet]

I’m a newbie – my main issue is spastic diplegia (lower body) and my hands doing what they’re told. My balance is iffy at best, though I am just shy of 28.

For me:

The zip Mtn Horse boots are a godsend. Easy to put on and not tight around the knee/ankle so I can still FEEL my feet after 3 minutes in the saddle.

I have the basic jointed irons(StaBrite I think), and those really help with my tight ligaments and allow me to reach down into my irons better. I ride dressage.

3 step, light weight plastic mounting block from High Country Plastics–cheaper and TALLER than most of the plastic ones. It also seems more stable than the other ones at our boarding barn.

Stationary bucket brackets, I can’t do the clips/hooks with a full bucket (just don’t have the precision).
http://www.horse.com/Pro-Craft-Bucket-Hangers-BRA26.html
These also help my brilliant gelding to not punch holes in his face.

I also use something called a stable/yard knife, that is basically a razor blade in a plastic hook to open bales. Hook and pull.
A similar one: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-27144&ids=86655535

[system]

Hi Everyone!

I have been reading all of your posts about products for making riding easier…Check out OnTyte Magnetic Stirrup System as a sitrrup option. It is a relatively new product that has really taken off in the jumper ring, especially with top international grand prix riders (Laura Kraut, Nick Skelton, Richard Spooner, Micheal Whitaker, and many more!) It has also proven to be extremely effective for riders with disabilities since the magnets in the boots and the stirrup help to keep the stirrups in place with little effort.

Christine Righeimer, who has MS, says “There are not enough words to describe how much [OnTyte] has helped me ride with my MS. I can stop worrying about losing my stirrups when I lose feeling in my feet and be a more confident rider again”

Check out the website, www.ontyte.com
For updates about OnTyte, and show results from OnTyte riders, become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/OnTyte-Magnetic-Stirrup-System/44299604122?ref=ts)
Follow OnTyte on Twitter (http://twitter.com/OnTyteStirrups)

[Gandolph58]

[QUOTE

I think I’m going to try to make the microwavable kind this winter- a mini version of the rice microwave heat packs. In theory, they will retain heat longer. :yes: I’ll let y’all know how that goes.[/QUOTE]

I did this by using a pair of little kid’s socks. They are the right size, soft and all you have to do is put the rice in and stitch one end shut. I used dental floss to close up the ends, last longer than regular cotton thread.

I also have a lot of trouble keeping my lower back warm so I made a rice back wrap. Last longer and is cheeper than the therma care ones in the drug stores.

[RMJacobs]

I was surprised that no one mentioned grooming brushes with a hand strap. My hands will go numb if I try to grip anything for more than a couple of seconds. I love brushes that I can just slide my hand into and hang onto them with a very light touch.

I also like the mane and tail brushes that are like a human wig brush. The handle is soft and squishy and the bristles untangle manes and tails beautifully with minimum effort.

My hubby tried to make me a mounting block, but it was too unstable for unstable me. Then I discovered that the deck behind my house is exactly the right height. I still need help mounting and dismounting (to get off, I basically have to drag my leg over my poor mare’s back and then slide down her side with someone putting weight on the stirrup on the other side). I can do it without making her uncomfortable if she stands very still, and she’s very good at that fortunately. She’s such a good girl for tolerating my weird accommodations for disabilities. Luckily she doesn’t have to put up with it too often since I rarely ride.

Rebecca