A new horse owner must be prepared for any emergency. It is essential to knowing what you need and what your equine companion needs. It is confusing at first. But you must start with the basics. The horse vet supplies australia must be accessible in your horse’s first aid kit.
It is important to provide your horse’s basic needs, from food to shelter. An organized and well-equipped tack room has everything from basic riding gear to medical and grooming supplies. These make horse care easier. With many supplies to sort through, it is difficult to ensure everything is available.
This guide covers the basic items every horse owner needs, including the gear that makes equine care easy.
Tack room basics
A tack room houses everything for your horse’s needs, such as:
- horse blankets
- feed supplements
- riding gear
The tack room’s organization may not be the problem. It may also be a space that cannot accommodate all the additional essentials of horse care. Some owners find it more efficient to keep non-tack supplies in a separate tack room.
A tack room must have a sink where cleaning and grooming supplies are mixed and rinsed.
Start your tack room with the basics, including:
- Saddles and saddle racks. Saddle storage space is a must in a horse tack room.
- Bridles. These are used to control your horse while you are riding. They are made up of three pieces:
- Bit. It goes in the mouth.
- Headstall. It goes around the head. It holds the bit.
- Reins. They are attached to the bit.
Each piece is separate. You can customize them to fit your horse.
- Halters. These are used to lead your horse while you are on the ground.
- Lead ropes and lunge lines. These are essential for taking your horse to:
- pasture
- trailering
- training
Grooming supplies
You need the right grooming supplies for your horse. Many think that grooming is all about looks. But it is essential to keep the horse healthy. Improperly groomed horses are at risk of health problems, such as skin irritation and more.
Check your horse carefully for signs of skin irritation every time you groom a horse.
Shampoos and skincare
Dry grooming with a brush is sufficient for daily grooming to remove dust. Your horse needs a shampoo when it is extra sweaty and muddy. It needs an antimicrobial treatment. Choose a specific horse shampoo. Horses with sensitive skin react to harsh ingredients. You must keep two kinds of shampoo available.
Non-medicated for regular use
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that does not leave the skin dried or itchy.
Medicated for skin infections
It is best to have medicated shampoo in case the horse has:
- wounds
- ringworms
- girth itch
- fungal infections
Brushes and combs
There are types of brushes for different purposes when combing out your horse’s coat. The basic types of brushes for daily grooming are:
- Curry combs. Curry combs are shaped like a typical hairbrush with lots of stiff bristles to remove loose hair and dirt. Choose a curry comb made from silicone or rubber.
- Body brush. A body brush does not have to be used in every grooming session. But the soft, natural bristles distribute skin oils after currying. This produces a show-worthy shine.
- Dandy brush. Curry combing loosens dirt deep in your horse’s coat, bringing it to the surface. The stiff bristles whisk that loose debris off the surface for a clean coat.
- Mane and tail comb. The mane and tail are long and easy to tangle. It requires daily combing to prevent tangles and clumps. The mane and tail combs have wide-spaced teeth to loosen tangled hair. They remove burrs and strengthen the hair shaft by spreading the natural oil.
Towels and rags
Soft towels and rags are essential for wiping sweat. They give a gentle cleaning of the face.
Scissors and electric trimmers
Scissors are used for clipping manes and tails, while trimmers clip bridle paths or shear hair around a cut.
Hoof care
Horse hoof must be cleaned and cared for after every ride or in every grooming session. This keeps the horse in prime condition. Stock your tack room with hoof care essentials to keep the hooves strong and healthy.
Hoof pick
A hoof pick lets you remove stones and mud that build up in the crevices. It is the sensitive underside of the hoof.
Hoof spray
A liquid hoof cleaner protects against diseases, such as seedy toe and white line.
Hoof steak
You need a more intensive hoof treatment for a horse with more serious hoof damage, such as:
- abscesses
- advanced thrush
- white line disease
Hoof oil or conditioner
A hoof-protectant product provides shine for shows and antimicrobial protection for daily use.
FAQs
What you must avoid when cleaning a hoof?
Do not use synthetic sealants. These will interfere with the hoof’s natural moisture balance.
What is the first aid that must be accessible in your tack room?
Keep your tack room stocked with the basic medical supplies, such as:
- Gauze pads or bandages
- Vet wrap
- Antiseptic spray
- Liniment
- Eye wash and spray
Do horses need a blanket?
A few blankets during cold weather makes a horse feel comfortable.