Hi! I have been looking into getting a shop vac with an attachment to use as a horse vacuum but I wasn’t sure if anyone had any recommendations for brand, hp, size, etc. Here was one that I was thinking of but I was worried it might be too powerful (6.5 hp): https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1…1600/304795082 . Some other ones I was considering were 3.5 hp ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-6…6001/306256721 ) and 4.25 hp ( https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-9…9001/306256810 ). I was planning on getting the horse vac attachment by Dr. Smith’s: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail…2-00b0d0204ae5 . If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it! TIA!
Most any is fine. The big deal is the head attachment. Get the electro groom attachment. Nasco Serrated Nozzle for Electro-Groom - Plastic Hose End - C28263N https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XGK4TL…_5JimFb8QSE7VP yOu can find them in male and female varieties. Take note of the gauge of the vacuum hose.
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Thanks so much! Do I need the Nasco hose for that attachment or does it work with any vacuum end? The bigger vacuum I was looking at has an diameter of 2.5 in so I’m not sure if it would fit anyways since I can’t find the dimensions of the attachment…
If you plan to use it for anything besides grooming, get the larger hose version. My guinea pigs require hay and live on fleece bedding that gets laundered weekly with daily poop “sweeps”. The sucked up hay was a nightmare with the smaller hose because just a few pieces would block it, even though that Shop Vac was more powerful. Never looked back once I found a great deal on one with the larger hose. Make sure anything you get has a secure connection to the base, though. There is nothing worse than having to stick the hose back on every 2 minutes because you needed to move a few inches to continue vacuuming.
They make adaptors so smaller attachments will fit on the larger hose.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shop+vac+hose+adapter&crid=1D5HPAXVPIJVD&spref ix=shop+vac+hose+%2Caps%2C206&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_14
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I have the Electro broom vac and as an accessory I bought the Dr Smiths attachment, I really don’t like it or use it. I use the serrated nozzle tho, it doesn’t work well on legs.
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The most important part for me is a blow function. Didn’t like any attachments (tried a few), mostly what I do is put on the detailing wand just because it’s narrower (more pressure) and blow the dust right off.
I usually wear the Hands On grooming gloves, too, so I can use the vacuum with them on and just use either hand as a curry if I get to something that needs to be curried.
My shop vac is nothing special, cheap one from Target. The only thing I would change is more power = more better and consider where you will use it, I have to run an extension cord out and roll it back up every time which is a pain or I would use it every day. I’ve considered getting a battery powered leaf blower for those two reasons, except I’m cheap and also the leaf blower isn’t as multipurpose as a shop vac.
I also use the vac to clean out brushes and my grooming bag! Blow works wonderfully on brushes and dry sponges and blow or suck on the grooming bag. Also, I use it to vacuum my car.
I have a shop vac that is smaller than yours and it works wonderfully. I also have the Dr. Smith’s attachment and it is all I use. I like it and so do my horses – it is soft. But I do have to hold it onto the hose to keep it from coming off. Of course, there is always duct tape.
Thanks so much! Do I need the Nasco hose for that attachment or does it work with any vacuum end? The bigger vacuum I was looking at has an diameter of 2.5 in so I’m not sure if it would fit anyways since I can’t find the dimensions of the attachment…
