Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of trying out a lot of different horse products. They have ranged all across the spectrum of price, purposes, and average popularity among the horse community. There are so many things still out there to try, but these five things are the ones so far that have made an impression on me and have made themselves indispensable to my horse-stuff collection:
1. SleekEz: Best $20 I’ve ever spent. My horse is a shedder—a Quarter Horse/Percheron cross with pretty thick hair—and now that he has Cushing’s I feel it even more important to keep him shedding out properly in the spring. Not only does the SleekEz do this, but it also helps make his coat shiny as all get out. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, easy to store, and it actually works! I wholeheartedly recommend this product.
2. Oster Mane and Tail Brush: Before I got this brush, Moose’s mane and tail were destroying brushes left and right. He’s got Percheron hair that’s coarse and thick; lesser brushes just couldn’t measure up anymore. I finally got one of these bad boys at Tractor Supply. I’ve purchased one Oster brush that’s laster about five years and is still going strong. I honestly don’t think that there’s even one bristle missing on that brush. It’s not only durable—it makes detangling even the nastiest hair much easier. Moose has a habit of getting into burs, and he’s had some downright messes in his mane and tail. A little detangling spray and my Oster brush are all I need to tackle those crazy tangles. Highly recommend!
3. Circle Y Standard Square Skirt Wool Pad 1”: I seriously can’t live without this pad. It’s made my Circle Y barrel saddle fit every horse I’ve ridden in them almost perfectly, and it’s surprisingly easy to clean for a wool felt pad. Although it can make a horse sweat pretty quickly and it’s a little bit on the pricey side, this western pad is life-changing. I’ve had this pad for nine years and it’s just as good as when I bought it! There is minimal fraying or separation of the wool felt at the edges and it hasn’t compressed from use—still one-inch-thick all around. For all you western riders of any discipline, this is the pad to invest in.
4. Plain, Plain, Plain Snaffle Bit: This is for any horse, any time. This is the only bit that I use for my own horse and I love training and riding other horses in them. They’re super gentle, simple, and good to use for any level of horse or rider. I don’t have a brand of preference—I have a bunch of different ones and I’ve been happy with every single one.
5. Hoof Pick with a Brush: This one might seem a little bit ridiculous as it’s so basic, but I think everyone should have one of these. It seems so simple yet it can make life much easier and more efficient when it comes to grooming. I like to use the brush side to clean the walls of his feet and to brush off excess dirt after picking them out. I also find it handy for getting dirt off of my boots after a trek through a muddy pasture. There’s really no reason not to have one; they’re cheap and they’re everywhere!
As horse people, we’re always adding to our collection of products, and we usually get our recommendations from other horse people. That’s part of what makes our community so great! I hope this list helps you find something you’ve been looking for or something you didn’t even know you needed.
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