Thanks, I think that’s the second recommendation for a tigers tongue. I went ahead and grabbed one to give it a try.
You will love the Tiger Tongue! It comes vacuum shrink wrapped. Get it wet one time and it expands to about 3-4” deep.
and to the poster who blamed me for enabling them, I will accept that. You will thank me once you use it!
I like to have Equiderma skin lotion for any skin issues, like scruffiness on the back legs or the dandruff my horse gets in his mane sometimes. It seems like it clears it right up. It has done wonders for my retired horse with Cushings who was getting a lot of weird skin stuff for a run.
The old towels are wonderful to have around for so many different things. They’re a necessity.
I also think it’s useful to have some personal effects at the barn - hair bands, chapstick, hand lotion, etc.
If you live in a climate with cold weather, I would get some of the fleece lined breeches, warm riding socks, and warm winter gloves. When it’s cold it’s hard to leave the warmth for the barn, and I think it really helps to have some
creature comforts to get you out there.
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Absolutely! I would go one further and recommend softshell breeches. Fuzzy and warm on the inside, water resistant and wind proof on the outside, I basically lived in them last year. I bought the noble ones and have no complaints.
I know self-heating/battery powered heating accessories are a thing in other sports - I’ll have to look into them. The new barns indoor is covered but not fully enclosed so I’m expecting I’ll need to add another layer compared to last year.
I live in the Canadian prairies and have ample cold-weather gear. Depending on how much you want to spend…
Canada Goose vest and/or jacket: It can be -30c and I can keep my core warm enough that I can be outside for hours.
SSG polar fleece gloves: very good for those moderately cold days - not so great for bitter cold.
Heated vest and gloves: to be honest I got these for Christmas last year and only used them twice. The vest made me TOO hot and the gloves have a bulky battery at the wrist that annoys me. Useful for shovelling snow but that’s about it in my experience. YMMV
Fleece lined riding tights: Absolutely a must. I see OP you already have some… I want to live in mine throughout the winter, they are so warm and cozy. Mine are Kerrits brand but there are plenty out there.
Fleece lined gator/scarf/neckwarmer/hood: This is one of my FAVOURITE winter pieces. Very versatile and warm. It also has little holes by the nose to stop your sunglasses/glasses from fogging up which is VERY useful. https://www.watukoheadgear.com/produ…reme-gator-190
Ski pants: Great for extended outdoor activities. There are some designed for riders. I just have “regular” ones that do the trick.
Wool socks and base layers: I wear these year round. They breathe so well and are great for layering.
Rubber boots: I have hunter boots for muddy/slushy season. With a pair of wool socks they are surprisingly warm. I also have lined bog boots that are good to -30c.
I think I’ve gone overboard with the recommendations… Since I live in 50% winter conditions I have built up a huge stock of gear to get me outside!
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I use those rubbery grooming mitts for currying every morning–love them, like giving a massage.
I always keep Betadine solution on hand. I have a spray bottle with diluted Betadine ready to go as an antiseptic.
Pyranha fly spray products. They work.
I’m one of those people who loves Showsheen for mane and tail detangling. Might be childhood nostalgia.
Hoofpicks with bristles on the end.
I second the Back on Track quick wraps. I also have a set of their polo wraps.
If you like to hop on bareback, this is the best bareback pad ever: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Thin…e-TLCPBBP.html
Have fun!!!
[B]Rub Rags ~ old towels and such Ӣ
- never underestimate the power of the use of
rub rags
and
effort
in a healthy horse coat Ӣ
ENJOY your new lease !!! :D[/B]
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Another +1 for the Lemieux sheepskin pads. What I really like about them is that they are fully paddedover the spine, and have a deep drop on the sheepskin underside. In regular sheepskin lined saddle pads, when I pull the pad up through the saddle’s channel, the sheepskin coverage barely touches the back/shoulders where the saddle would be… But in the LeMieux, someone took that into consideration, and the sheepskin is angled with a very generous “drop” – all the way to the point of shoulder/halfway down the horse’s ribs, so it more than covers the area the saddle sits across. I liked it so much I bought three – and it was not cheap ($150+)… but worth it.
And, a Tiger Tongue to clean that LeMieux. They are hand-wash only - after every ride I brush down with the Tiger Tongue, and when it’s dirty enough, stick it in a muck tub with horse shampoo for a half hour. Scrub with the Tiger Tongue and it is incredible how well that thing cleans up a pad.
I like the Tiger Tongue so much I have two - one for grooming and one for scrubbing/cleaning saddle pads, stock tanks, and dirty crusty hooves.
Corona Ointment, for all the little nicks, also great for hooves.
I have a Noble Outfitter grooming tote, that I have come to really like. I can fit so many things into it even though it is relatively small https://www.doversaddlery.com/noble-…ote/p/X1-10807
A retired bathroom wash rag, for wiping down bridles after rides.
A sheepskin glove - for keeping saddle clean and free of dirt from those dusty indoor rides.
And a permanent marker – TO LABEL ALL OF YOUR STUFF. :yes:
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Never never never brushes with plastic bristles. My horse is way too classy - it would offend him. Natural bristles only. The good ones from England have the Queen’s imprint. Julie Goodnight’s website has a pastern brush from Platinum in Germany. I haven’t seen it elsewhere. Also the large body brush. The strap keeps it where it belongs even though I have short fingers.
Epona’s Flexible Glossy Groomer. Toss your old curries. This is amazing, so flexible you can do the lower legs with some muscle. Fantastic for late summer shedding with mud incorporated.
EquiGroomers, they have the teeny hacksaw style blades. I haven’t found anything better at dealing with my horse’s outrageously thick winter coat with teddy bear ears. I made the BO’s daughter buy her own because she kept using mine on her dog. The slicker for water is also good.
A brush bag is vastly superior to a plastic tote.
Chlorhexidine scrub, OTC brand from my regular pharmacy is “Leader”, compares to brand name Hibiclens. It is a lotion. I had to promise my longtime pharmacist it wouldn’t make the horse sick. Apparently they don’t spend any time on horses in pharmacy school. Shortsighted I guess. My horse had an unusual cut that went up under his skin on the pastern. He didn’t like Betadine scrub. I think it was stinging. I have since used this for cleaning out a bit of thrush in the cleft before medicating it. Also taking care of a stitched wound where a lesion was removed. If I put in on a gauze square I can soak the area well enough to clean out the dirt without scrubbing and disrupting the scab and stitches.
Keep a small tote for a few first aid supplies and a first aid kit including a stethoscope, thermometer and card with normal values. Eye ointment and Banamine paste from the vet, vet wrap, the gauze squares, something to stop bleeding such as aluminum spray or a powder.
A big package of cheap washcloths from Walmart. Nice rags, easy to launder.
Horsetech.com Reitsport Saddle soap. There is something “elegant” about the suds and it cleans well.
Flicks natural fly spray. If you live somewhere with those annoying deer flies that are yellow with see-through wings use this. They only go for the poll and ears, so I soak them and there are no flies. Horse is much happier.
Showsheen, I am compulsive about brushing his tail or I can’t mount up.
Mountain horse’s deluxe 3-finger winter riding mittens. Expensive, but they warm my pinkies up when it’s cold, like under 20.
If you use an asthma inhaler try to get the one with the red sprayer. Much easier to find when it lands on the footing.
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Shoofly leggings, Kensiington Uviator fly masks, medicated powder, spray glycerin saddle soap, anti-sweat sheet, well-fitting waterproof turnout sheet and detachable neck cover, tank de-icer, microfiber cloths, and–like many others–the Tiger Tongue
For me: waterproof boots, windproof and waterproof outerwear, technical fabric layers, wool blend socks (can’t stand cotton clothing or socks any more)
EZ Wash Wand. It’s actually really useful for colder weather, too, if you want to clean just specific spots without getting everything else (including yourself) soaked.
Pair with the Hands On gloves for deep cleaning!
Also, shop vac.
These are great recs! I’m in the PNW so not nearly as cold but I couldn’t resist that gator! They have one in my colors and I’m a sucker for bamboo stuff. I backpack/hike thru fall and as soon as there’s snow in the mountains I’m up there every other weekend. So if it doesn’t work for riding it will be great for other outdoor activities.
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I don’t have brand recommendations, but a horse person can never have enough spare sponges…
I really love my Back on Track mesh sheets. In addition to the therapeutic properties, I love them for situations where a regular sheet is too much but I want a little something to prevent a chill. The Equiderma product line is also terrific and I use several of their products regularly; the neem based spray is wonderful this time of year when my guys are itchy and start shedding and the shampoo is fantastic for getting the horses clean without stripping their coats; it also seems to have a bug repellant effect. The German Horse Cookies (with peppermint centers) are a life saver for my one guy who gets pills twice a day - they get hidden underneath that peppermint center and gobbled up! I also really love my IceVibe boots for post-workout care, and I’m a sucker for a really pretty padded Walsh halter.
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Cowboy magic tail detangler… that stuff is amazing. Even the little bottle has lasted me a long with (with 5 horses)
Rags… I buy a pack from Costco. I also switched back to those old school plastic grooming totes… easier to clean… easier to find stuff! Now I have a ton of stuff in my shopping cart I want to try 
I have it and LOVE it. I love it so much that I hit one for my daughter too
My favorite recent splurge is several custom Mattes pads from Hufglocken. Takes forever but the quality is amazing and you get to pick every single thing, plus there is a 25% off code now (SAVE25). I have spent a ridiculous amount on pads this year.
I love the Haas brushes.
I also love the personalized wood grooming tote I ordered from Smartpak this year. it has a plaque with my farm name and name on it, and is just beautiful. After years of making do with fabric totes, it’s just fun every day to pick up my classy wood tote filled with Haas brushes.
I third/fourth the Tiger Tongue and Hands On gloves. I was at a show last weekend with rain, and my horse came back covered in those tiny specks of limestone sand. It was cold and windy and I had a class in 2 hours, so I let it dry a few minutes and took the TIger’s Tongue to it. She looked freshly bathed and didn’t have any irritating sand on her after 3 minutes. She is a super sensitive mare and still loves the Hands On gloves (used softly some places!)
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