LOOK INSIDE MY TOOLKIT OF EQUESTRIAN RESOURCES
My best horse grooming tips, mane braiding knowledge and horse care supplies are all tucked inside my Equestrian Toolkit of Resources. I use the resources and knowledge to get the best show presentation and provide great horse care. Peek inside to learn how. This post may contain affiliate links. See my Disclosure.
How do I braid and groom my horses, create winning turnout for shows, keep tack and supplies clean and organized, and take the best care of my horses? I’m spilling the beans and sharing my resources with you. Here’s what I’m covering in this post:
- How you can learn & use my expert braiding strategies for creating flawless hunter or dressage mane braids, and the products I use and recommend.
- Mane braiding organizers and kits for good fast braiding & storage of braiding supplies
- The three-step grooming regimen and supplies I use to get my horse’s coats clean and shiny
- What I use to keep my tack and equipment clean, organized and ready for use
- Additional ways I provide the best care of my horses with greater ease, such as pellet shavings, slow feed hay nets and more.
MANE BRAIDING KIT
International Braiding Kit
- Includes: removable belt, rug hook, mane comb, hair clips, thread cutter, braid aid, and needle
- Suede leather
- Measures approximately 6×8 inches
- Use on belts up to 1 3/4 inch wide
https://amzn.to/3XoHvrT
HOW TO SEW A CUSTOM BRAIDING KIT
Learn how to sew a custom mane braiding kit. This easy-to-follow guide walks you step by step through the process of creating your own custom braiding kit in under two hours. You only need very basic sewing skills, a small amount of fabric, and about two hours. Customize your tool pockets to create the perfect braiding organizer that slides on to your belt. To learn more visit this page now.
MANE BRAIDING SUPPLIES
QUIC BRAID FOR TOTAL MANE AND TAIL CONTROL
Created by a professional braider, Quic Braid makes it easier to grip the mane and tail for braiding and banding. This spray gives you better control over the mane and tail and is the perfect grip aid for braiding. It won’t make the mane slippery or sticky and it combs out with the need for washing.
This is the only yarn that I recommend for braiding horse manes and tails. Why? Because it’s just the right weight for braiding so it won’t cut into your hands and it comes in perfect mane matching colors. My favorite colors to use are Black, Coffee, Off-white, and Nickel. This yarn can be hard to find in stores so I recommend ordering it online. HINT: Don’t substitute other brands or even other Red Heart yarns like Super Saver because they will break when you’re tying your braids.
CRAFT THE PERFECT MANE BRAIDS WITH EXPERT KNOWLEDGE
BASIC GROOMING REGIMEN & ESSENTIALS
Simply applying these three basic grooming steps on a regular basis will help to maintain a clean and shiny coat on your horse.
STEP 1:HANDS ON GROOMING GLOVES
These grooming gloves are simply amazing. My best friend gifted me a pair and said,
“these gloves will change your relationship with your horses.”
Boy was she right! My geldings LOVE them and we bond while I groom and massage them with these gloves. I wouldn’t use any thing else to curry their coats and loosen hair and dirt so I can brush it away. Plus, daily currying is one of the secrets to a truly shiny coat.
STEP 2:SUPER WHISKERS DANDY BRUSH
The longer bristles of this brush flick the dirt away efficiently. I use this brush everyday after currying with my Hands On grooming gloves to remove the dirt and dander. It’s a quick way to clean your horse’s coat.
STEP 3: HORSE HAIR SOFT BODY BRUSH
There’s nothing quite like a soft horse hair brush to finish grooming your horse, create a sleek, shiny coat and clean their delicate face. Sensitive horses love it too. I use this brush after the dandy brush to remove any remaining dirt or dust and develop a shine. TIP: Before using this brush, apply a light coating of hair polish (avoid the saddle area) and allow to dry. I pick out my horse’s hooves in the meantime. Then use this soft brush to remove any remaining dust and get the best grooming results.
GO TO GROOMING BUNDLE (spot cleaner, hair polish/conditioner, and detangler) – These three products are super handy for cleaning dirty horses (like my grey horse Frosty) even when you can’t give a bath. Or if you just want to keep their coat clean and shiny and their tail in the best condition. Here’s one of the best tail tips I’ve ever learned:Don’t comb the tail out everyday. Instead work the detangler in this bundle through their tail and hand pick shavings out, if needed. Only comb out or hand pick the tail out completely when you’re at a show or clinic. The results? A thicker, healthier tail.
GROOMING AND TACK ORGANIZERS
HANGING PORTABLE GROOMING ORGANIZER
I love the functionality and size of a grooming bag. It’s a savvy way to organize my brushes and grooming tools. It’s easy to set inside the large tote below for less trips to the trailer at shows and clinics. Great to grab and use!
I used a large tote similar to this one to create a Perfectly Organized Grooming Tote for Shows and Clinics so that I can keep my grooming box/bag, braiding kit, spare braiding tools, and yarn all in one bag that’s easy to carry. I store it in my horse trailer so I’m always ready for show and clinics. Then I don’t have to drag everything back and forth from my barn (ugh…you know what I mean!).
HANGING TACK CARRIER THAT ZIPS SHUT
I received this tack carrier as a holiday gift from the barn owner of a barn I board at in the winter. She even personalized it by having my horse’s name monogrammed on the front. I store my equipment (bridle, lounge line, gloves, helmet, and dressage whip) inside to keep these items organized and dust free (seems like everything gets dusty in my barn). I’ve had great luck with the Tough-1 products…well made, durable and affordable. I’m not sponsored by them, just love their products. Check it out – the price is great.
TACK AND EQUIPMENT
Here’s the equipment I use inside my Equestrian Toolkit of Resources to get the best show presentation and provide great horse care.
A SADDLE PAD EXCLUSIVELY FOR SHOW & CLINICS
Psst…here’s how you can always have a perfectly clean, snow white saddle pad ready for shows or clinics. Buy an extra one just for these events. Wash it when you get home and return it to your trailer for the next trip. On the video of my clinic ride, I could hear my friends saying…how come she always has a super clean saddle pad? Now you know my secret.
These stirrups are fantastic! I rode in my instructor’s saddle a while back. I was shocked to find that his composite wide track stirrups made me feel so much more secure in the saddle and my position. My feet stayed put in them – no more slipping. I immediately bought a pair and I love them! Funny thing is… this is the same way my instructor ended up with a pair. Try them out! I’m betting you’ll want a pair for every saddle you own.
I finally realized the secret to keeping my saddle clean is wiping it down after each ride and covering it. This saddle cover does the trick and protects my tack from the barn cat’s claws. It’s great for protecting your saddle when traveling to clinics and shows.
I purchased a beautifully crafted saddle. I use this high-quality saddle soap to protect my investment. It’s a recommended cleanser for nearly all leather types and includes a sponge. It leaves your leather looking and feeling great and it’s easy to use.
CONTAIN HAY FOR LESS WASTE AND MESS
Have you jumped on the slow feed hay net band wagon yet? I did earlier this year and now I’m a huge fan. Here’s why. The design slows your horse’s eating down as well as minimizes waste. The things I love about it are: (1) it mimics natural grazing, (2) it keeps my horse that cribs busy eating longer, and (3) it’s a time saver because as it makes my stalls so.much.easier to clean! I use these slow feed hay bags daily for all my horses. These hay bags are roomier than most and more durable. Tons of reviews indicate they’re the “best of the bunch” and “have some other hay bags that were cheaper, but this brand lasts a few years or more”. They pay for themselves quickly in less hay waste. These hay bags are great for stall or trailer.
Need to slow feed an entire bale of hay? Snag this bale sized slow feed hay net to keep your horse(s) busy longer and minimize waste. After trying the regular slow feed hay bags listed above, I’m getting this bag for hay in my paddock. It helps to keep my horse that cribs busy “grazing” longer when he can’t go out on pasture or if the bugs are so bad that he is in the run in.
My equestrian friend uses these hay bags and turned me onto them. Putting your hay into this sturdy bag keeps your truck and trailer clean when you travel with your horses. I love the carrying handles and that I can put the bag in front of my horse’s stall for overnight stays and keep the hay secure and the aisle clean.
EASIER STALL CLEANING
RECAP OF MY TOOLKIT OF EQUESTRIAN RESOURCES
That’s It! I’ve covered the equestrian items I’ve tried, loved and come to rely on. You can steal my resources for your own toolkit. Here’s a quick recap of what’s inside my toolkit of equestrian resources.
For Your Daily Grooming Regimen:
- HANDS ON GROOMING GLOVES
- SUPER WHISKERS DANDY BRUSH
- HORSE HAIR SOFT BODY BRUSH
- GO TO GROOMING BUNDLE (spot cleaner, coat condition, detangler)
For Storing, Toting and Organizing Your Grooming Tools:
To Keep Your Tack Clean and in Good Condition:
Tack You’ll Love:
