New Arabian = In Need of Supplies

[Pop_676]

I just got a 15.3 hand Arabian! He is 10 years old, and I think he is going to to excel in the hunter under saddle show ring.
He is going to arrive at my barn by the end of the week. I was wondering what random stuff you guys have found you NEED to have to keep a horse. I am boarding him at a show barn so hay, grain, water and a stall will be provided. I have leased Arabians in the past, and finding stuff that fits their small head and long neck has proven to be difficult. I am ready to drop 500$ at Dover! Here is my list so far… [I have a saddle and grooming equipment plus polo wraps]

Show Sheen
NFZ wound dressing (a favorite at my show barn for tiny cuts they get in the pasture)
Vet wrap (we use this to keep horses tails off the ground)
Lunge whip ( I have a lunge line)
Work Bridle
Show Bridle
German Running Martingale
Bit ( I think I am going to go with a simple egg butt snaffle)
Medium Weight Blanket
Wool Cooler
Crop

What are your favorite grooming sprays and creams? Several people at my barn use Healthy Hair Care Moisturizer when grooming to shine the coat.

What are your favorite shampoos and conditioners?

My horses tail is very long (drags on the ground) so I am going to need a GREAT detangled.

Almost forgot, what size halter would you recommend for a semi-well built Arabian with a smallish head. I have used Hamilton halters in the past, and loved them. They come in COB, REGULAR, and OVERSIZE. I was thinking cob?

Thanks in advance.

[dacasodivine]

Old fashioned elbow grease to keep your horse’s coat shiny. A healthy horse doesn’t need more than that to bring out the natural shine.

I rarely bathe any of my horses. I rinse mud off as needed. I hear good things about Cowboy Magic for tangles.

Cob size works for my Arabians but they are in the 14.1-14.2 range so they may not work for your horse.

[Pop_676]

I think I will go with average size… I can always punch more holes!

dacasodivine, with your 14.2 hand Arabians, are you on one of the tighest holes on the cob sized halter?

[dacasodivine]

One horse has a more delicate head than the other so one I do have her halter on the tightest hole and one is on the second to last hole.

Maybe ask the previous owner what size? Or, since you are boarding, ask if you can try a couple different sizes on your horse to see what fits him best?

[Pop_676]

I can totally do that! I was just hoping I could find a clear size. I have a dover 100$ gift card that expires very soon, so I am currently looking for things I can buy, before the horse arrives at the barn on Saturday.

[JBD]

Even my 16+ Arabian/saddlebred cross wears a cob size bridle. You might also try Schneider’s in addition to Dover’s as they cater to Arabians

[CHT]

Congratulations on your new horse!

AlI my Arabians and Arabian crosses wear cob size bridles and halters. Not all brands measure the same of course.

I like the Health Hair Care spray to deal with static in the hair in the winter, without making the coat slippery.

We used to put baby oil in the tails before wrapping them.

If your horse is being turned out with others, having two blankets is wise, in case one gets ripped (or dirty for that matter).

I would buy which ever bit the horse is used to.

[outerbanks77]

If you are going to show, I would get a stable sheet, and probably a sleezy hood.

[pony_baloney]

My 14.2 Arab now wears a yearling sized halter with a breakaway attachment (the small one that attaches on the side). Some of the cob ones are for much bulkier heads. His yearling halter was a bit snug on the largest fitting but with the attachment it fits fine now. Fly masks are tricky too; one year the Cashel yearling was a perfect fit. Last year I bought the yearling one again and it was quite a bit smaller so we changed to a cob/arab size.

[Pop_676]

Good to know! I will order the COB size halter, and if it is too small, I will move up. What is everyones favorite shampoo and conditioner? and detangler?

Previously, at shows I would put on a cooler to keep my horse clean. Would you recommend a stable sheet, or will a cooler serve a similar purpose?

I will definitely consider getting a sleezy for next show season!

[luvmyhackney]

I wouldn’t buy anything for your horse to wear until speaking with the trainer if you are at a Arab show barn. They are all about color coordination and matching at most of the big ones.

Fennell’s and SStack.com are your best bets on finding equipment that fits. The german at Dover will most likely be too big. They make their stuff to fit the giant warmbloods. If you are going to be buying things from Dover, I would go pony sized.

[Wonders12]

Lucky braids shampoo
Cowboy magic detangler
Big body sponge
Natural sponge for faces
Bucket for bathing supplies
Tack cleaning supplies (if you don’t already/barn doesn’t provide)
More coolers
More blankets
Extra set of leg/tail straps

How your barn functions will determine what you need for blankets. My horse has 2 cotton sheets for the barn (or dry days outside) + 2 mid weight turnout blankets for rainy days/cold nights. If she wasn’t clipped, I wouldn’t bother with the cotton sheets.
Then a show only sheet, which you could replace with a scrim or cooler depending on the weather. Talk to your trainer to see if they have a requirement or preference.
For coolers I have 1 waffle type fitted cooler + 1 fleece square cooler. Getting another fleece fitted cooler is on my wish list.

Does your barn provide standing wraps? If not, I would definitely have at least 1 set. Better to have them and not need them…

[nzoom13]

I personally like to have a small first aid kit for any horse I have…I include vet wrap, gauze, betadine, bute, Tomorrow Dry Cow, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch ointment, saline solution, and vetericyn both the spray and the eye gel. Ooh and that silver spray you can spray over wounds. It’s a wonderful thing if they get a narrow cut on a hindquarter or somewhere where it’s impossible to stitch or bandage. For shampoo I use just Mane n’ Tail…but I don’t bathe very often and don’t really show. For conditioner I use an unscented human conditioner, never had a problem with it but again I do not use it often.

[outerbanks77]

@Pop_676

Previously, at shows I would put on a cooler to keep my horse clean. Would you recommend a stable sheet, or will a cooler serve a similar purpose?

I don’t like leaving coolers on for long periods of time because they get lots of shavings stuck to them. Also, a fleece cooler might be too warm during the summer. I use a Kool Coat Airstream sheet with neck cover to keep my horse clean overnight since I usually bathe the day before a show. Keeps her clean without getting too hot in mid-summer.

[Mango20]

Before you go too crazy with accessories, do you need to provide the basics for your barn like feed and water buckets? A hay net? Salt block?

[arabiansrock]

second schneiders. Cob size bridle BUT I have found for my arabs that a horse size browband is needed. Many arabs have wide foreheads and the cob size brow band pulls the bridle up against the backs of their ears. And I really like bridles with ear cutouts over the poll. Arabs can be sensitive.

[arabiansrock]

oh and absolutely BEST detangler I have found is Manely Long Hair. Riding Warehouse sells it. The shampoo and conditioner is also fantastic.

[Pop_676]

@Mango20

Before you go too crazy with accessories, do you need to provide the basics for your barn like feed and water buckets? A hay net? Salt block?

Everything care-wise is taken care of with the monthly pay of board. Each stall has a automatic water filler, a grain bucket, and hay net. You have the option to add a salt lick or hanging ball. Our stable has hired hands for cleaning stalls and feeding.

I spoke with my trainer, and he gave me a a huge list of stuff I should buy, and what colors (apparently our barn is crazy about the color hunter green ). He also gave me directions to custom order a show sheet and cooler that has our stable logo on it for showing, so that won’t be cheap.

Thanks for all your help!

[Chall]

Glad the trainer stepped in.
i almost fell over when my trainer came with Arab eye shadow :eek:
(it comes in a jar and looks like old fashioned boot polish).
So, I would never have guessed what Arabs need at breed shows.

[Pop_676]

Wow!! At shows we just coat our horses in baby oil, braid their mane and tail, and try to look decent ourselves!