Just for fun: what barn tool/accessory/gadget/strategy makes your horse chores easier?

[JeanM]

DR PowerWagon! got lucky right after having rotator cuff surgery and found one barely used that was for sale. I can put the equivalent of 2-3 regular wheelbarrow loads in it and drive it up the hill to my manure dump, and it even has a hydraulic lift for the tub. I’ll grant it’s had to have some parts replaced, but it’s still been incredibly helpful to have.

My other idea is to repeat another poster - battery powered tools, but they should use the same batteries. I have a set of Ryobi hand tools, to which I’ve added a weed whip and leaf blower. SO much easier to pull out the battery ones instead of fussing with getting gas powered ones to operate!

[anon81364900]

1. I love Sure-Latch gate latches: It’s a true one-hand operation, so you can get through even with your arms full of hay, and just push the gate closed with your butt once you’re through. And, they support the gate’s weight when closed, taking some stress off your gate posts.
2. Two-wheeled wheelbarrow. So much less stress if you’ve got it heavily loaded-- no risk that it’s going to tip sideways on you. And you can get through a gate with one hand on the barrow, the other hand controlling the gate.
3. Newer ground-driven spreader. Massive time- and labor-saver.
4. Pairs of scissors in lots of different places in the barn. Seems like every day there’s something that needs to be cut, and I have having to go search for a pair of scissors.

[BK6756]

I LOVE those latches, although if your gate shifts/starts to sag at all, they become a huge PITA!

[Ponycatraz]

https://smile.amazon.com/Forester-Chainsaw-Tooth-Brush-Bundle/dp/B015N8AV02?pd_rd_w=7kRYJ&pf_rd_p=4fd8798a-ba65-45b8-b40c-250b52c9d9e0&pf_rd_r=VS31FZRF9EBDKDMTTBN2&pd_rd_r=22af3b82-2d6b-4e4e-a092-7a97547bb3c8&pd_rd_wg=V8LzL&pd_rd_i=B015N8AV02&ref_=pd_bap_m_rp_1_37_sc

This thing is amazing for reclaiming land! We can cut a new trail in hours instead of days. Brambles, grass, or small trees it doesn’t matter.

[DMK]

I have a couple 6ah, 4 and 3ah batteries, and it runs a long time at low and medium speed (which is a lot since it isn’t a weenie fan). It also has a plug in option as well.

When I leave a CDE in Florida heading back to Atlanta, I put it on high work a 6ah, typically when I get to the ag station stop (1.5 to 2 hours) it’s almost at the end of it’s life. If it’s hot or it was a hard work I’ll plug in another battery and set it at medium. It might not make it all the way home, but it goes for quite a few hours!

It’s also a LIFE SAVER at summer shows where I stage out of the trailer.

And when I come in from a fitness work or off marathon it’s the best thing ever, just grab it and point out at the horse. Also you look level 10 professional when you have it with your cooling out gear for the competition vet.

[demidq]

I have a 4 wheeled gorilla cart/wagon, super sturdy, holds about 2 wheelbarrow loads, pulls easily over all terrain with a handle like a kids wagon. It also has a ‘dump’ feature which makes it invaluable for barn or garden work.
Cheapest small item? A plastic curry comb- like object that attaches to a hose so you can curry while you bathe your beastie. I wash with sponge and bucket of sudsie water then rinse with this hose brush right down to the skin quickly and thoroughly.

[Jealoushe]

@Ponycatraz

This thing is amazing for reclaiming land! We can cut a new trail in hours instead of days. Brambles, grass, or small trees it doesn’t matter.

Does that work on any weed eater?

[Ponycatraz]

It needs to be a straight shaft and they said it works with most 30cc or larger trimmers. My 42 cc Echo worked without any extra parts. My smaller husqvarna needed a fit kit.

[anon81364900]

OMG that tool looks like something an evil guy in a James Bond movie would use. Does look useful though! And if you ever need to cut elevator cables to kill an arch enemy, you’re all set.

[Jealoushe]

@Ponycatraz

It needs to be a straight shaft and they said it works with most 30cc or larger trimmers. My 42 cc Echo worked without any extra parts. My smaller husqvarna needed a fit kit.

Thank you! I have a husqvarna…but I want this thing!!

[Ponycatraz]

I was thinking something out of a horror movie like Evil Dead.

[Ponycatraz]

I think the fit kit I needed was less then $15 for the husqy

[jodyjumper]

These are the best! My hubby handmade a few early on. I use them on my stall guards, gates, horse trailer. How nice not to have frozen, broken snaps. And they latch in an instant, no fumbling when things go awry. Would enjoy trying a smaller version on lead ropes!

[Jealoushe]

@Ponycatraz

I think the fit kit I needed was less then $15 for the husqy

I’m so pumped to hunt this down for my trail maintenance this winter!

[SusanO]

Best thing I own is a $30 hydraulic jack from Walmart. If I can’t lift something the jack can. It saved my butt when a 3 point hitch pin came off and my arena drag was hanging at an angle and I couldn’t get it off, up or down. thought I would have to pay somebody to help me but then I thought of the jack and it saved the day. Used it in more instances when something heavy needed lifting.

[Bluey]

@SusanO

Best thing I own is a $30 hydraulic jack from Walmart. If I can’t lift something the jack can. It saved my butt when a 3 point hitch pin came off and my arena drag was hanging at an angle and I couldn’t get it off, up or down. thought I would have to pay somebody to help me but then I thought of the jack and it saved the day. Used it in more instances when something heavy needed lifting.

That ^.

I carry a bottle jack in my pickup and use it for so much, from helping pull one post here and there without needing to go get other to do it, for so, so much else.

A smaller, light one like this, have bigger ones in the shop:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pro-Lift-8-Ton-Bottle-Jack-B-008D/203730590?MERCH=REC--pipsem--100595080--203730590--N

Also a very handy come-along, that helps pull anything for you:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-2-Ton-Power-Puller-5541/205544449?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&mtc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_1_HAND_TOOLS-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-HandTools_PLA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_1_HAND_TOOLS-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-HandTools_PLA-71700000034127224-58700003933021546-92700031755124844&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PTKiYaR7QIVZIpaBR2dvwrwEAQYASABEgJwFfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[worth_the_wait08]

@Bluey

I carry a bottle jack in my pickup and use it for so much, from helping pull one post here and there without needing to go get other to do it, for so, so much else.

Anyone else read this as “I carry a bottle of jack in my pickup”? Just me? I was trying to figure out what liquor had to do with farm chores…

[Bluey]

@worth_the_wait08

Anyone else read this as “I carry a bottle of jack in my pickup”? Just me? I was trying to figure out what liquor had to do with farm chores…

Blame autocorrect for that, bottlejack is one word and it insisted on changing it for me to bottleneck, etc. then snuck in that separation when it ran out of ideas I kept nixing.

I am assuming jack is some kind of adult beverage?
No alcohol around here, truly allergic to it.

[Schatzi09]

Jack - as in, Jack Daniels whiskey! LOL

[Bluey]

@Schatzi09

Jack - as in, Jack Daniels whiskey! LOL

Oh, ok, thanks for that information.

Will watch that pesky autocorrect a little closer.