Your All-Time Favorite Horse-related Purchases/Products

[EmilyM]

Parlanti Dress Boots. I spent the first 34 years of my riding career with constantly bleeding shins from boots or chaps rubbing. Not with these!

Equifit silver wash for my horses’ legs

Back on track EVERYTHING!!

[islgrl]

@Peggy

My new favorite thing is the Tiger’s Tongue Grooming Sponge. I was admiring them at one of the vendors at a horse show, but had no cash on me, and a friend brought me one the next day. Great on dust, dried sweat; works in conjunction with water or water with shampoo. Somehow removes dust and shavings without getting dust all over the person doing the grooming. Even the most sensitive horses don’t seem to mind it. Since I got mine about ten more people have gotten one at my barn. I’m dealing with a frankenfoot issue that limits (and now excludes bathing) my horse and this thing has been a life saver. Or at least has avoiding having a grungy looking horse.

So based on the number of people who raved about this I bought one. I used it this morning, its fantastic!

[snaffle1987]

Absorbine Liniment: Orange bottle. Yes, its expensive. I go through it like water. My horses tend to get white line easily especially after a wet, muddy spring. Great soak for hooves, I use it as a hoof spray too. Combats thrush and hoof issues. Great for a diluted summer cool off. I use it on myself for sore joints and muscle strains.

[vxf111]

Tiger Tongue meets the hype!

[RugBug]

@vxf111

Tiger Tongue meets the hype!

Can’t wait to jump on the bandwagon. Mine should be here in a day or two…

[BK6756]

@hoopoe

I treasure my Miller leather back oval body finishing brush. I remember back in the day , 1978 I paid " a lot" for it. It rubbed and finished every horse I ever had and is in perfect condition. It could raise a finish shine on a coat like nothing else.

I no longer have horses but you bet, I never will let go of this brush.

Any of my Schesse dressage saddles. Showed me what a well fitted saddle for horse and rider could do.

I swear by Keratex hoof protection program. My horse lived out 24/7 in the Seattle area and once I learned about this program I never had issues with keeping his hooves happy and healthy

What do you do specifically in regards to the Keratex hoof protection program? I did the Keratex hoof hardener until I went through the whole bottle (2 horses) and now I’m doing the Kertex gel but I can’t say I’ve really seen much of a difference. Both horses have cracked ugly hooves and sometimes lose shoes before their 6 week cycle is up.

[CPL713]

@Alittledownhill

I must be using the hands on gloves wrong because everyone else loves them. I bought a pair and pretty quickly went back to the sponge/jelly scrubber/bare hands combo.

Same! I can’t figure out how to “easily” get the hair off, unless I rinse it with the hose, and my horse doesn’t like it – he prefers the somewhat soft rubber curry I was using before. I feel like it’s been great to scrub legs with when I’m giving him a bath, though…

Glad it’s not just me becuase I’ve been feeling pretty dumb. lol.

[endlessclimb]

@CPL713

Same! I can’t figure out how to “easily” get the hair off, unless I rinse it with the hose, and my horse doesn’t like it – he prefers the somewhat soft rubber curry I was using before. I feel like it’s been great to scrub legs with when I’m giving him a bath, though…

Glad it’s not just me becuase I’ve been feeling pretty dumb. lol.

I’m also in the same boat. Way too pointy and hard for my mare. I use a kiddie sized normal curry for the squishy bits, and an Epona soft curry for the pointy or hard bits. She’s still not thrilled the whole time, but doesn’t come out of her skin over it.

Tiger Tongue sponge is super neat, but kind of tore up my hands a little. I need better callouses.

[Redlei44]

@BK6756

What do you do specifically in regards to the Keratex hoof protection program? I did the Keratex hoof hardener until I went through the whole bottle (2 horses) and now I’m doing the Kertex gel but I can’t say I’ve really seen much of a difference. Both horses have cracked ugly hooves and sometimes lose shoes before their 6 week cycle is up.

(Not the OP) I used to have excellent results with the Keratex hoof hardener. Groom, ride, bathe, completely dry legs and feet, then apply the hardener. Six days a week. However, I am now in a different situation regarding (more) mud/moisture in pastures, I’m only out there a couple of times a week, etc. The routine doesn’t work like it used to. I assume because I don’t apply it every day, and because the hardener just can’t overcome the more challenging conditions.

Where I am now, they tend to use a heavy-duty pre-ride/pre-bath/pre-turnout hoof dressing to repel moisture in advance instead of using hardener after the fact. For this purpose I tried switching to the Keratex gel but found it too light-duty.

I have minimal experience with the Keratex putty but it seems like a quality product to fill cracks, nail holes, etc. Pain in the rear to get out of the tin. Have you tried it?

Also keep in mind that shoeing balance, nutrition, stomping at flies, wet/dry conditions, etc. probably impact hoof condition more than use or non-use of any product.

[DMK]

I gave up keratex gel for Farrier’s Fix, especially for that pre-bathe routine. Down here in Dew Point Central I typically put the regular keratex on pre-ride and farrier’s fix on pre-bath.

I try to use FF before I turn out, but I’m not overly hung up on it because mine go out about 6-7PM and I’m pretty sure any trace of it is long gone before the dew hits the grass in the wee hours, however I do try to get it on if it’s raining/damp at night, etc.

Also, IME, 6 week shoe cycle in the summer is just not working regardless of hoof topicals if you have a thin walled horse. I move all of mine to 5 weeks starting about May through October (well I did. Right now I have a driving pony and a retiree - both barefoot… but even barefoot at 6 weeks the growth is insane).

[IPEsq]

I like Elemental Equine’s Hoof Armor the best for pre-bath / pre-wet anything application. Just give it a couple of minutes. Stays on better than Farrier’s Fix (which is otherwise my favorite hoof product and one I like to use on the bottoms of feet in those pre-thrush kind of conditions to keep the funk away). The pine tar, linseed oil and lanolin in the EE product makes the water visibly bead on the surface of the foot–that was enough to sell me on it.

[BackintheTack]

1. noble outfitter riding tights… super comfy and pocket is big enough to comfortably ride with my iphone plus!
2. Back on track quick wraps: so useful for both trailering and wrapping legs at shows
3. Is probably the FITS zephyr jacket. a recent acquirement but after showing in 30 degrees with jackets not excused I was so glad to have it
   honorable mention: my samshield shadowmat helmet. I went through so many helmets trying find a good fit that’s still comfy and cool. totally worth the $$$$.

[BK6756]

@Redlei44

(Not the OP) I used to have excellent results with the Keratex hoof hardener. Groom, ride, bathe, completely dry legs and feet, then apply the hardener. Six days a week. However, I am now in a different situation regarding (more) mud/moisture in pastures, I’m only out there a couple of times a week, etc. The routine doesn’t work like it used to. I assume because I don’t apply it every day, and because the hardener just can’t overcome the more challenging conditions.

Where I am now, they tend to use a heavy-duty pre-ride/pre-bath/pre-turnout hoof dressing to repel moisture in advance instead of using hardener after the fact. For this purpose I tried switching to the Keratex gel but found it too light-duty.

I have minimal experience with the Keratex putty but it seems like a quality product to fill cracks, nail holes, etc. Pain in the rear to get out of the tin. Have you tried it?

Also keep in mind that shoeing balance, nutrition, stomping at flies, wet/dry conditions, etc. probably impact hoof condition more than use or non-use of any product.

Thanks! Hmmm…I was only doing the hardener 3-4 times a week, so maybe I need to try doing it daily. They are on on a high quality feed and have been on a biotin supplement for the past year, but I think it’s not enough to overcome the environmental conditions. They live outside 24/7 and it has been super dry, but the barn worker always overflows the water trough and they end up standing in mud- very frustrating! I’ve talked to the barn owner about this problem twice now and it doesn’t seem like anything is going to change.

@DMK

I gave up keratex gel for Farrier’s Fix, especially for that pre-bathe routine. Down here in Dew Point Central I typically put the regular keratex on pre-ride and farrier’s fix on pre-bath.

I try to use FF before I turn out, but I’m not overly hung up on it because mine go out about 6-7PM and I’m pretty sure any trace of it is long gone before the dew hits the grass in the wee hours, however I do try to get it on if it’s raining/damp at night, etc.

Also, IME, 6 week shoe cycle in the summer is just not working regardless of hoof topicals if you have a thin walled horse. I move all of mine to 5 weeks starting about May through October (well I did. Right now I have a driving pony and a retiree - both barefoot… but even barefoot at 6 weeks the growth is insane).

Thanks for sharing your experience. Putting something on pre-bath isn’t really an option since their hooves are covered in mud when I bring them in. I need something to put on after they get bathed and dried off to protect from the mud situation (see above). A shorter shoeing cycle is something to consider although this past time one gelding lost both back shoes by 3 weeks out!

[vxf111]

I like Farrier Barrier better than any comparable product

[Arelle]

Just to chime in as another Tiger’s Tongue lover – a trainer friend showed me hers earlier this year… I went into the pasture this summer to mess with some of my babies and even the ones that have very light handling were following me around and shoving each other out of the way to get more grooming. :lol:

[vxf111]

Well that tack cleaner and condition I ordered arrived half spilled in the box

I’m going to contact the seller but im disappointed for that $$$ shipping cost!

[Rusty15]

1. Tekna saddle. Most people might turn their noses up at it, but the value is unbeatable. I got it brand new for $350. You can’t tell it’s synthetic unless you’re up close and even then it’s nicer than other synthetic brands. It’s designed very well for horse and rider. I was especially impressed that the gullet was nice and wide all the way through the saddle. It doesn’t narrow out under the cantle like so many brands do. And most importantly, it fits my very difficult to fit horse like it was made for him! I tried other saddles–albion, stubben, pessoa, HDR, etc. and this one beat them all. For someone like myself, who’s on a tight budget, it is a blessing.

2. Equi-Ami. I haven’t had it long, but the difference I see in my horse from using it is awesome!

3. Hands-On grooming gloves. My horse LOVES these. He get’s excited when he see’s me put them on. I like them for bathing especially, because with any type of rubber curry/mitt, my hand slides out constantly when it’s wet. Not a problem with these!

[ljadwin]

1. Ariat paddock boots and tall boots. Also Ariat steel-toed clogs, which have saved my toes more than once.

2. Happy Hands grooming gloves. They’ve replaced most of my other grooming tools and the horses love them.

3. Mountain Horse winter riding apparel - I live up in the frozen north, and this stuff is warm and functional.

[Jo]

@Arelle

Just to chime in as another Tiger’s Tongue lover – a trainer friend showed me hers earlier this year… I went into the pasture this summer to mess with some of my babies and even the ones that have very light handling were following me around and shoving each other out of the way to get more grooming. :lol:

Damnit, COTHers! SmartPak is all out of Tiger’s Tongue and I was going to add one to my order!

[vxf111]

@Jo

Damnit, COTHers! SmartPak is all out of Tiger’s Tongue and I was going to add one to my order!

We totally did that!