Like the subject says, what are some things you swear by that (perhaps) aren’t well known or practiced? Just thought we could share the wealth of knowledge this community has. Thanks in advance!
Tire Shine for winter riding boots --at our hunt we wear Mountain Horse or similar all winter long --I keep tire shine (doesn’t freeze) in my horse trailer to spiff up the boots before hunting and after.
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24/7 turnout. Fit, happy horses.
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Have a thorough written checklist of what to make sure is in the trailer while loading up for travel to a horse trial. Don’t trust your memory and your best intentions. And for the really, really important things, like reins and girths, load up a spare.
And speaking of spares, add a second spare tire for your trailer. Then if you have a flat and change the tire, you will still have another spare tire. If you have ever had a trailer flat on the road, it is great for peace of mind for the remainder if the trip.
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this is already proving useful!
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Best tip: around 20%
Best tool: 3/8” adjustable head socket drive
Best Trick: Riffle Force (sleight of hand)
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Learn how to tie a trucker’s hitch. (Just kidding - try this) Best knot ever for tying down loads, tarps, guy lines, anything you need to keep tight but need to undo later without popping a vein.
Rechargeable battery powered tire inflator (I like Ryobi) - keep it in the trailer.
Three rubber bands for each braid - one at the end, fold once and band again. Fold again, last band. Will. Not. Fall. Out. They grip onto each other.
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Along that vein, always pack a spare pair of breeches and socks. I basically have a second set of everything in the trailer that’s only used at events - show bridle, boots, brushes, saddle pads, etc. - that all live in there.
When getting ready for an event, I try to use the mindset of “If it can be done now, do it.” E.g., don’t leave everything until the night before. I pack my show bag (clothes), shine my boots, clean my show bridles, and put it in the truck a couple of days in advance, so it’s one less thing to think about the night before/morning of.
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I’ve personally found that the rubber bands from Sally Beauty Supply are better (and cheaper) than the ones you get from the tack store! Much more stretch and they don’t break as easily.
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The trailer ‘walk around’ before you drive - every time. A friend lost a very nice bridle - the kids left laying in the grass.
A small size trailer fork for travel - and doubles as ‘kid sized’ for the extra learn to be helpers.
A full set of extra horse’s shoes.
A hundred dollar bill (or a 50) to tip the guy at the gas station in KY that works at the race training facility when he asks you if you’ve got extra room in your trailer for a free horse that’s got to go. 
Honestly that did happen to us in Prospect KY!
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Instead of buying packs of water bottles for a horse show, buy a topper and a wire stand ($20ish from Amazon) for the bubbler sized water refill at Walmart. $10 tops per container and will keep you and your crew hydrated through a whole weekend (maybe more). I drink a lot of water per day and have saved a ton of money this way when showing! Just set it up and refill your bottle whenever
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I am having trouble picturing this setup but would be interested to see a picture. Personally, I just keep a couple of the refillable gallon jugs in my truck/cooler and refill my insulated water bottle/cup as I go. You can refill them for 25c at the grocery store, or for free out of your sink…
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I bought one of these for this exact reason and the stupid thing lasted 6 months before pooping out. It wasn’t even cold outside or anything. It shows the “ERR” code, no matter how many times I do a hard reset or change the battery.
I love the idea, but the reliability is meh.
Important tip: If you don’t, always have a fire extinguisher in your trailer. Check that the person who hauls you has one handy. I ALMOST had to make a choice between unloading horse on a 6 lane highway or letting him burn in a trailer --worked out, but lesson learned (hauling with someone who didn’t have a fire extinguisher).
I forgot my favorite tip! --I keep a full set of scrubs and crocks in the horse trailer --have for years because when DD did 3 day I was always worried she go off in the water jump and have to ride home wet. Now I keep them for me because —if I get really hot and sweaty at a venue, I can change my shirt for a clean, dry scrub shirt. If it is freezing out, I can put on the scrubs under my hunt clothes as an extra layer --and the main reason:
When I had a flat tire on the Toll Road, I happened to be wearing said scrubs after a long grubby weekend at a show (ok, they do have “Surgery” stenciled across the back) – I got out of my truck set my hazard cones and considered how best to change the tire–before I came up with a plan --a nice fellow (Dairy farmer from MN) pulled over and said, “Need help, doctor?” Of course I told him I wasn’t a doctor, but by the time I could say Bob’s Your Uncle had my tire changed and I was on my way.
Aside --I used to wear them (full set, gown, hair and foot covering) for Halloween sometimes when I was teaching high school --quick, easy, comfortable costume. I did not splash them with red paint --but I was tempted . . .anyway, one Halloween I was pressed for time and drove my horse trailer wearing this get up to the Joint Meet —when I met the MFH as I pulled in, she asked me if I was a doctor --I explained --but by then the thought was in her mind –
Forever after, and it’s been 20 years, she continues to think I am medical professional . . .
And like someone else said, I have a change of riding clothes for hunting in the trailer too --but I have my own trailer on my own farm, so no need to load/unload stuff --I keep show stuff in labeled totes: Mounted Archery (all my clothes for a weekend of shooting) --Ranch Horse Show will have it’s own tote of clothes and accoutrements when I start that next year.
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Was it Ryobi? I had a cheapo Amazon type that didn’t do the job, but the Ryobi is a beast
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It was, purchased at Home Depot.
Check out the Element 50 and Element 100 fire extinguishers. Yes they are expensive and don’t look as cool as a big red canister.
We have one in each vehicle and one in the kitchen. I do have the big red tanks in the barn and elsewhere in our house. The Element extinguishers fit handily in a glove box or console.
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And on the trailer subject a small dry erase board mounted in your trailer (mine’s on the inside of the tack room door so it can be viewed from outside when parked and the door’s open).
Good for messages and also for writing down your ride times as a reminder. I also have a 9 inch diameter battery powered analog clock mounted near the board.
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