What to buy for Horses?
If you’ve decided to get your first horse, it’s important that you know what equipment you’ll be needing - horses and their essentials don’t come cheap either. Horses require regular care, especially if your horse will be participating in competitions, whilst you should have adequate land and space for your horse to sleep, play and train. If you’re struggling with what products to get, our list of essentials for first time horse owners can make it easier for you to find the right equipment for your horse.
Feeding Equipment
As horses are such big animals, it’s important that they have all the right food and feeding equipment to keep them healthy. Before your horse arrives, you should have several weeks supply of hay and grain ready, as well as a good supply of freshwater. The basics of horse feeding equipment include:
- Feed tub
- Water trough or large buckets
- Water heater or heated buckets if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures.
Stable Maintenance
Horses are usually kept in stables, with a field or paddock for exercise. Depending on whether or not you want to enter your horse into competitions, you may also have a training area, with equipment like jumping fences. First-time horse-owners need to muck out their horse’s stable regularly in order to keep the horse happy and healthy, which is made easier by using equipment such as:
- Pitchfork
- Stable broom
- Wheelbarrow
- Manure Fork
- Premise spray if insects are a problem
Handling and Grooming
To keep your horse in good condition, you need to focus on cleaning their coat, mane and hooves. This includes grooming essentials such as:
- Hoof Pick
- Curry Comb
- Body Brush
- Mane Comb
- Cloth (an old washcloth will do)
- Fly repellent
For handling your horse, you will need a halter and lead ropes, with leather and breakaway halters being the safest option. Specially formulated horse shampoo is also ideal if your horse has been out on a trek, whilst keeping their mane soft and matt-free.
Riding
When riding your horse, you will need the essentials such as:
- Saddle with girth or cinch
- A saddle pad or blanket
- Bridle
- Helmet
- Safety Stirrups or boots with a one-inch heel
To help with saddle fit, it’s best to buy a saddle after you’ve brought your horse home. Tack and saddlery items include bits, reins and head collars, whilst collars and lead ropes are ideal for training sessions.