I’m starting up a half-lease soon, and while I am welcome to use barn brushes & tools, I strongly prefer having my own stuff so I can control quality and cleaning ;). I’m looking for something that can fit spray bottles, preferably be neutral-ish colored, and ideally be closeable. (Not that I think anyone would steal stuff but I don’t have a trunk, and stuff out in the open is more likely to get borrowed and misplaced.) Anyone got suggestions?
I’ve never seen a closeable tote specifically for horse stuff. Maybe a tool box would work?
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-15-2-in-Plastic-Metal-Wheeled-Lockable-Tool-Box/1001276824
Hard to imagine a tote tool box that would fit a tall bottle of fly spray.
You might find some canvas cloth type groom totes that are taller, and perhaps have a way to snap shut on top.
The bigger the plastic tote the heavier the whole kit will be.
I Googled “canvas grooming tote horse” and got a lot of hits. You would need to think about the depth and configuration you want.
Or you could find a very small duffle bag or satchel that zips open. You would just want to make sure there were pockets inside to hold the fly spray and other liquids upright because these will leak if stored on their sides.
Or a fairly tall bucket with a lid.
Tip: you don’t need to have all your grooming gear out every day. I’ve already retired my fly spray for the season. Honestly most days I only use a hoof pick and a medium soft body brush. I have stuff for mud and shedding and untangling tails and filing hooves, but I don’t use it that often (currently in a mud free barn).
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It doesn’t close but it fits everything and us easy to organize and the bottom is mesh to you don’t end up with sand and junk in the bottom.
https://www.nobleequestrian.com/collections/bags/products/equinessential-collapsible-tote
I wish I could retire my fly spray…such sadness…they just keep coming back…
I got what I use as a braiding bag, but could also be used as a small grooming tote, from the Vera Bradley clearance store (of all places) for like $10. It’s a shower tote…haha. It’s canvas, not they’re normal quilted stuff. It looks like they may have larger ones that would work for fly spray bottles and stuff too. I love it for my braiding stuff. It’s worked perfectly.
I’ve also seen the canvas bucket covers that go over the little 3 gallon buckets.
I actually won a tackle bag in a raffle, I don’t fish but it has made the best grooming storage! All the zippered pockets are great for organizing and the fabric seems to repel water and dust. Probably not room for a full size fly spray bottle, but you might want to get a smaller bottle that you can refill to discourage people from “borrowing” your expensive spray.
I like the Kensington ones. They have at least 2 designs - a normal mesh brush tote and a zippered bag with two outside pockets for spray bottles.
However, my favorite is from Noble Outfitters. It’s giant. It fits 4-5 spray bottles in the center, and still has two areas for brushes and outside pockets. Dover sells it, and it was in their holiday gift box last year.
I like the noble one too. Maybe get one of those plastic bins just big enough to hold your tote and store it in there.
The Shires canvas totes have a zipped top. I’ve used mine for over a year, and it’s held up well. A fly-spray bottle wouldn’t fit, and as one person above said, I don’t think I’d want to keep the fly spray in with the brushes.
Dover carries them, as well as other stores.
For home, I have a small tack box and daily stuff is in a Kensington tote with pockets. For shows, where I need more stuff carried with me, I have something similar to this. Just be sure the bottom section is tall enough for spray bottles. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Essential-19-in-3-in-1-Detachable-Mobile-Work-Box-STST18631/301751638?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&mtc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_11_STORAGE_DEVICES-Multi-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-StorageDevices_LIA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_11_STORAGE_DEVICES-Multi-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-StorageDevices_LIA-71700000066089559-58700005819526688-92700053177755273&gclid=CjwKCAiAqJn9BRB0EiwAJ1SztVZmrk57xxyLyJdfrYu9yKuHRvBkFXSkDZiR8Lr1g5_ioormbl0zgBoCVv0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I bought a fabric tote almost 20 years ago. I think it is Weatherbeeta and at the time it was the only one out there. The problem is it won’t wear out. I see people with the one from Noble, but… I cannot understand why I’ve been able to resist buying a new one. I don’t think it has happened before, except for the horse who is irreplaceable.
This is my favorite: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-Wide-Mouth-Water-Resistant-Supply-Bag-with-padded-handle-comfort-grips-tape-strap-and-15-total-pockets-in-Red-HD60014-TH/312387496
It doesn’t match your specs, but the outer pockets are made to hold spray bottles, and can also fit brushes. I put my horses’ boots in the middle compartment, and there are flat inner pockets that are perfect for things like jelly scrubbers and combs.
Check out the tool box section at Lowe’s or HD; they will probably have something that will work well for you at a better price than horse-specific totes.
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I’ve used either a large rolling file case or sewing machine case for years. The luggage type, not the plastic type! They are not cheap but they do last, are tall enough for spray bottles and are easily customizable with various sizes of Tupperware and plastic grooming caddies. Everything fits from brushes to boots to braiding kit to basic first-aid supplies and gloves, spurs, etc. They are also just tall enough to put your boots and saddle on top to wheel out to the grooming area or trailer, etc.
Caveat … $$$ so make sure you’re going to use it for years before you put your dollars down.
P.s. they actually clean up great - a once or twice a year scrub/hose out and a day drying in the sun brings them back to “new”
https://www.doversaddlery.com/lemieux-grooming-bag/p/X1-33927/&rrec=true/
I have this one. It doesn’t hold the extremely tall bottles, but I like that is has so many pockets to keep small things organized.
[b]katehAdvanced
I’m starting up a half-lease soon, and while I am welcome to use barn brushes & tools, I strongly prefer having my own stuff so I can control quality and cleaning ;). I’m looking for something that can fit spray bottles, preferably be neutral-ish colored, and ideally be closeable. (Not that I think anyone would steal stuff but I don’t have a trunk, and stuff out in the open is more likely to get borrowed and misplaced.) Anyone got suggestions? [/b]
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-26-inch-connect-rolling-tool-storage-box-black/1001062701
Husky rolling tote. 3 of us in the barn here each have one. They are very strong, will lock, and have the carry tray for brushes, etc. And wheels. The pull-out handle will hold the tray while you dig in the body of the box for things. I also keep my bag of feed in there to protect it from mice (shuts very tight). Love it.
