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Eqclusive Haas Gray brush set. Surprisingly completely worth the money!
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PS of Sweden bridles - they look beautiful and made a huge difference in my horse’s comfort & performance.
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Buckwild Breeches - the only slightly less unflattering white breeches I’ve found and fabulously fun ones for schooling and cross country!
Hmmm, I’m newer than most at buying stuff for me…been happily buying for my daughter until she got me going again!
My first would be my dearly departed IRH 4G that saved my head! It didn’t move when my noggin hit the ground and I can see subtle damage to the inside styrofoam…it’s going back to IRH through their replacement program! I don’t have enough kind words for their company!
2-4 would be the 3 Thornhill 24k saddles I’ve purchased for my daughter…last place is the wide tree that is too wide for life…the other 2 are fantastic, super comfy and tough as nails! I do still need to replace the original, that has been handed down to me from my DD…it finally sprouted holes in the seat after I started riding in it…I may also need a 12 step program…bc 3 saddles and I still need another…LOL!
And lastly, my ariat challenge tall boots…they’ve broken in really quickly, and without major pain…one day I’ll be able to zip them all the way up…but I have fat knees…haha
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An Equine Comfort Products saddle pad. It was actually a barn Secret Santa gift, but it is the highest quality cotton pad I have ever used and it has withstood countless washes. Looks just as good as the day I got it 5 years ago, minus the stray hairs. They’re pricey, but I’m willing to spend $50-$60 on an AP pad when the quality is so high!
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Aerosol bandages. So, so convenient. Put some ointment on a gash on my mare’s leg, sprayed it with the Aerosol bandage, and a scab developed and fell off after two days.
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Plymouth Elite Dressage Bridle by SmartPak. I bought it on sale for $90, and it is the softest, most padded bridle I have ever felt. I’m not riding dressage anymore, but I will never get rid of that bridle! Such a steal.
I bought Kerrits riding tights after reading on this forum about how comfortable they are. I was very unhappy when the material appeared very quickly like it had been slashed with a knife and I am very gentle with my laundry regime and do not use hot water or spin clothes.
I came upon tights in our local Coles Supermarket for $15.00 the same colour. They are not sticky bums but I do not believe in riding in sticky bums for daily riding. The colour coordination is a little off compared to the Kerrits but they are lovely to ride in. They still look like new and have passed the first problem starting with the material on the Kerrits so I am very happy.
- Rubber reins. I’ll never go back to cleaning laced reins on a schooling bridle.
- Healthy hair care moisturizer aka pink spray. Not greasy like show sheen and it smells great
- Grooming gloves- so nice for sweatish hair so I don’t have to touch it.
- Cat toys as ear plugs
I did an impulse purchase of one of those a few years ago and it is THE BEST THING EVER. I showed it to everyone I could think of, telling them they MUST buy this thing (the smart ones did). I keep one on the washrack and one in the grooming box, it has replaced almost every grooming item I own.
Another useful item is a driving style halter - it has a throatlatch snap, crown buckles (both sides) and a nose buckle (and it is beta). It’s irreplaceable when you drive by yourself, but it just ended up being my go to halter for everything, especially tacking up a youngster at the trailer away from home. I’m still a little shocked that this has totally replaced my collection of english chin sales halters.
The last thing is a water kettle, like $15 at walmart. It’s proven itself to be so useful. It heats up water so fast. I use it for beet pulp, but if you ever need hot water quickly for any reason, it delivers pretty fast.
I’ve said this before, but Ododos yoga pants with a side pocket for my phone are my new go to riding pants, and at $20 they can’t be beat.
I’m going to exclude big ticket items (saddle, trailer) and go with: 1) Wool exercise sheet - my horse seems so much looser and comfortable on those cold days.
2) Back on Track saddle pads
3) Magic Cushion - a lifesaver for my sensitive horse!
I love the idea of this forum so huge shout out to the original poster!I’m learning about a ton of underrated tack!
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Definitely, my Devon Air breaches all the way!I’ve had many pairs over the years and they are cheap and so comfy and fi my tiny long legs like a glove. I would never buy any other brand!
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My Airat field paddock boots are a must-have for anything. The leather has held up and is super soft. Great to just slip on for a hack or pack in a barn bag.
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Next is leather cleaner wipes. They do such a fantasic job! Very quick and easy to use. They make everything turn out beautifully.
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Doing one last one because I can’t pick three! My magic brush is my fav grooming tool. It currys heavy mud but soft for the legs or face. Very easy to clean and makes such a difference.
Massage for my horse. It really loosened up her shoulders and back and put us months ahead in our training. Not cheap, but maintenance money well spent.
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Antares saddle. Just tweaked the panels a little and now it’s better than ever (fits my stumpy little legs and his massive shoulders like a dream). Vet/chiro adjusted my gelding yesterday and said his back has never felt happier (this is huge for me - this poor guy was so back sore when I first bought him, it was heartbreaking).
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Haas brushes. Because the pony is really just a pig who loves to roll in mud and poo, but I still want a shiny horse.
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German minty muffins by the bucket.
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Happy Mouth mullen bit. Big red pony loves it.
Well I spent yesterday looking for a tiger tongue grooming sponge and no luck yet. Apparently it is not in Australia and the places like Smartpak etc do not ship to Australia
I love my chiropractor and farrier and swear by them.
I love my saddle pad. I don’t know what it is or what it is called. It is not cloth. It is like little bubbles joined together. It doesn’t get wet. It has gel pads in it. It was $25.00 at a car park sale. There is only one thing wrong with it, which it is actually shaped for a jumping saddle. I would love one shaped for a dressage saddle but have not been able to find one. Not knowing what it is called or made of doesn’t help. I did find one in a tack store once but it was pink instead of black and had no gel pads in it.
I love my dressage saddle. Bought for $60.00 mounted and never used. 30 years sitting in a house. You just sink into it.
This week I bought the softest padded reins. OMG So soft. We have padded reins. These are different.
Permoxin we could not have horses here without it. The insects here are rife. It stops the itch for sweet itch which stops the scratch. It kills ticks
It is cheap and not mixed with oil.
Tail braid wrap. Except when they hit you with it! He hasn’t done that yet. He must be too polite!
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KASK Dogma Chrome Light helmet - expensive, but I have never had a helmet that fits so well and is so comfortable. Bonus points for the removable liners that can be machine washed when they get sweaty and gross.
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Custom tall boots - I have short calves and wide feet. Fitting tall boots was a nightmare. Again, expensive but well worth the investment!
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Curaseb Chlorhexidine Shampoo - My horse has four white stockings and is prone to scratches. He got a nasty case of it this spring, and NOTHING was helping. Scrubbed his legs every other day for a week with this, and it was gone. Kept up with it once a week during the wet/muddy season, and it never came back. Halle-freaking-lujah.
Peggy and DMK - purchased a Tiger Tongue Grooming Sponge on your recommendation. Can’t wait to try it!
Some of my favorites are - my Hadfield flat hunt bridle (TOTAL classic) Fenwick bamboo saddle pad (fab) Eqyss Mega Tech Rebuilder (makes my horses tail feel twice as thick) and all my Bette & Court Long Sleeve Cool Elements shirts (el cheapo off ebay).
Tail Tamer Belly Balm - completely healed all my new horse’s crazy bites in just over a week.
my Haas and Borstiq brushes
custom Wilkers saddle pads - super fast turnaround, made in the USA, excellent price.
- Equifit Hoof Packing tape - not having to rip the strips of duct tape is such a convenience even if these are slightly more expensive, they are worth it!
- Epsom salt gel in the squeeze tube - where was this when I was growing up!?! Makes hoof packing so much simpler, especially when combined with the Equifit tape
- GPA Little Lady helmet - so comfortable, doesn’t even feel like I am wearing a helmet
Thanks for all the great responses! I would also put the Ultimate Hoof Pick on my list of favorites. It can really handle the rock hard packed mud unlike any other hoof pick I’ve ever used.
I think I’ll be ordering a Tiger’s tongue sponge ASAP and putting an Electro-groom on my wish list!
- Walsh halters. So pretty and (when cared for correctly) they last forever
- Herm Sprenger Duo bit. I have two horses with fussy mouths and they BOTH love this bit!
- Baker horse clothing. I’ve never had a horse with fit issues with any Baker blanket or sheet. From my 15h stocky QH, to my compact warmblood to my lanky OTTB. I LOVE the look, quality and fit of their horse clothing!
Well this thread could cost me a lot of money. My favorites aren’t terribly exciting.
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I bought my son a pair of Tuffrider Baroque field boots a couple of years ago. With him being a growing kid, I didn’t to sink $$$ into boots. Those things have held up GREAT and they are so soft! I have been pleasantly surprised.
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Kerrits tights. My daughter and I both love them for riding.
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Healthy Hair Care. Love it for manes & tales and for anywhere really. Also nice if your horse stinks because he likes to lie in his own filth (or is that just my horse??) and you don’t want to do a bath pre-ride.
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Super Comfort Stirrup Pads - While I don’t necessarily notice a soft or cushioning feel with these, I LOVE the secure grip of these. I used to have the aluminum Pro Jump stirrup pads, and then got these when those wore out. These work better! Have had them well over a year (I ride 6 days a week) and they’re in perfect shape.
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Ariat Mini Carry-All tote: this is my go-to barn bag/purse. I love the many pockets, it fits comfortably over my shoulder, and best of all can be washed in the washing machine if it gets dusty.
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Saddleright half pad. I know there are new fads in half pads every year – I’ve tried many others but always come back to this one. I got my first saddleright many years ago (over 20!), and it’s still going strong, and has worked great for the 4 horses I’ve owned in that time. While they’re no longer the “in” pad, I think in many cases they’re still one of the best.
Tiger tongue uses: brushing, currying, knocking off mud, grooming out a saddle mark, applying soap, scrubbing said soap, omg best thing ever for cannon crud. And under $10!