I am looking to purchase a new vacuum. Years ago we had the big electro groom. Later on I used a small portable vac not intended for horses but the attachments would never stay on and it gave up on us after two seasons.
I don’t want to fork out the big money for the electro groom, so what have you used and would buy again? What is worth the money? I’ll need it to use on around 12 horses regularly.
12 horses, I would have to get the Electro Groom that is on wheels. I know expensive but nearly indestructible. Also the current model appears to be the same as the ones made forty years ago
The one we have we got by accident since we were not looking for one at the time. It is an older unit that evidently is over 30 years old, but all the parts are still available. It had been donated to 501.c horse rescue for the tax deduction. The rescue had no need/desire to have it. It did need a new hose. We were there to buy some blankets and they wanted to just give it to us, we paid them $200 for it knowing a new one cost over a thousand dollars. The replacement hose was about $65. Other than having faded paint/stickers it works just as new.
Since you will be using this vacuum on 12 head on a regular bases I believe the durability of the Electro Groom can handle it without a problem
I use a shop vac. I use an adapter and connect it to a Cen-Tec brand 30 foot 1-1/4 inch diameter flexible hose (standard vacuum cleaner size hose) that was $50 on Amazon. I use a horse grooming brush on the end.
Horses are used to the noise as the shop vac is also used for general barn cleaning. When used for horses I just park the shop vac as far away as the 30 foot hose allows to reduce the noise level. The ship vac has a HEPA filter and I also use a collection bag in it, and that really keeps vacuumed up dust from blowing back into the barn.
I’ve got the Metro Vac N Blow with 4 hp power that comes with normal vacuum cleaner accessories, and it’s served me well for many years. Some after-market accessories for vac are available, if desired.
They make a more expensive model with accessories aimed at the equine market, available with various amount of power, up to 4hp:
ETA: they also make a similar model with wheels. Mine has a long enough cord, and I purchased an extra long after-market hose, so I don’t bother with the shoulder strap, and don’t miss having wheels, either.
I had the Rapid Groom (looks like Electro Groom’s little, round, rolling brother…same color, half the price) for many years. That thing was awesome. I honestly don’t know what happened to it and I’ve considered buying another one. All my horses loved it. Current horse has never been vacuumed, but he’d probably love it as itchy as he gets. It gets them so clean. Man…might be something to ask Santa for!
It requires bags, so with 12 horses you’d probably need to stockpile bags for it, but it’s a sturdy unit that could probably handle the job as long as you’re fine with replacing bags a lot.
I had the Vac N’ Blo. It is still going strong 20 years later. Some horses did not like it rolling around. Last year I had the opportunity to buy a lightly used ElectroGroom for $300. I love it!
Personally, I’d go for the Electrogroom,
Another option, though, which we had at one barn I boarded at, is a central vac. It was mounted to the other side of the wall beside the grooming cross ties, so the sound was somewhat baffled from the horses. It had decent suction and a very long hose. You can buy the grooming ends from places like Big D’s.
You can probably pick up a used central vac for cheap at a Habitat for Humanity Restore or somewhere like that.
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