The GO Outdoors Guide To Horse Riding Stable Equipment and Horse Care

Stable equipment such as horse brushes, horse shampoo and insect repellent for horse can make sure you maintain your horse effectively.

Stable Brushes

Brushes are ideal for maintaining your horse’s coat. A softer bristled brush usually made with merino wool or sheepskin for a softer style of maintaining a good coat.

Dandy Brush/Mitt Brush

Dandy brushes or soft bristled mitt brushes are designed for use on the horse. Dandy brushes work on ingrained debris such as dried on mud. They can be made with synthetics or goat or horse hair. Goat and horse hair helps bring up the natural shine of your horse’s coat.

Curry Combs

Usually made in metal, rubber or plastic, curry combs are ideal for removing the build up of hair as you use a dandy brush. These brushes are designed for with your dandy brush, but not on the horse, as they are too abrasive.

Horse, Tack and Stable Sponges

Tack Cleaning Sponges

A tack cleaning sponge and additional tack cleaner is a great way of keeping your horse riding equipment clean.

Tack cleaners can be applied with a sponge and are ideal for cleaning your seat and other equipment.

Horse Cleaning Sponges

You should also purchase sponges that can clean your horse. Riders usually choose two sponges in different colours, keeping one for the facial area and one for the body and dock. Using two separate sponges minimizes the risk of spreading bacteria.

For removing dried in dirt on sensitive areas, avoid using a hard bristled dandy brush or curry comb, which can rub and cause abrasion. For these more sensitive areas of the horse, use a soft brush, or even your hand.

Always clean off mud when it is dried and not wet, as wet mud removal can cause skin drag.

Horse Care and Maintenance

Horse Shampoo and Conditioner

Shampoos are specially formulated for horses as a great way of cleansing the coat and making sure it gleams, whether for a show or just regular care

These can rid the coat of dirt, grease and dust as well as lightly conditioning to ensure its smooth and sleek.

Insect Repellency For Horses

To ensure your horse is healthy and free from irritation, particularly in the summer, ensure you have a fly repelling system for your horse. Bites can cause irritation and flies and insects are particularly a problem during the summer months.

It’s always a good idea to have some repellents stocked up as they last a long time and keep well. Small amounts of fly spray can help repel most bugs and insects.

You can choose from a fly repelling lotion or spray that can be applied to the horse. You can also use any fly sprays in conjunction with a mesh blanket.

Mesh Blankets

Mesh blankets provide a chemical free solution against flies and insects. Mesh blankets are perfect if your horse is sensitive to active ingredients in chemicals found in sprays of lotions.

Mesh blankets fit your horse over either the body, neck or head and can make sure irritation from bugs is kept to a minimum by using tiny mesh holes that don’t allow insects to pass through.

A full mesh rug is ideal for use on horse’s that are particularly sensitive to insects. The benefit of the mesh design is the extra venting it allows, so you horse can wear it even in hot conditions.

Hoof Oil and Hoof Ointment

Used regularly, hoof oils can promote and accelerate healthy growth of horse’s hoofs. Hoof oil works in a proactive way, aiding the re-structuring of the hoof when used regularly

Hoof oils also have aesthetic qualities, making sure your horse looks in prime condition, particularly important if you have a competition or a show.

Hoof Oil and Hoof Ointment

Whilst a horse’s diet should be varied and healthy, sometimes, due to injury, for recovery or show preparation, your horse can benefit from supplements. Horse supplements vary widely, and can offer solutions that can keep your horses digestion, hair, skin or mane in good condition.

When grooming your horse, you should take a close look for any lumps or bumps, particularly on the leg area, which can indicate the first signs of injury or infection. Follow up any signs of poor nutrition with a diet overhaul as well as a trip to the vets if needed, but also consider supplements if you feel your horse is lacking in particular vitamins and minerals.