A PERFECTLY ORGANIZED HORSE GROOMING TOTE 

Discover the story behind my perfectly organized horse grooming tote and the benefits in this post.  I hope you enjoy it and find it super useful! Don’t miss the downloadable checklist for putting together your own organized horse grooming tote. 

Why I Created an Organized Horse Grooming Tote 

Equestrian Karen Sullivan arrived at the riding clinic feeling flustered and rushed.  She was running late so she had thrown her tack and grooming supplies into her trailer hoping she hadn’t forgotten anything.

Once she arrived at the clinic and unloaded, she began to groom her horse to get ready for her ride. But she quickly realized her body brush and fly spray were missing.   She borrowed these items from a friend and managed to get tacked up and to the ring just in time for her ride.  

Later that evening when Karen arrived home, she unloaded her horse and began the task of dragging her all of her tack, grooming supplies, etc. from the trailer to the barn.  Feeling exhausted, she took a break and called me to chat about her lesson.  She told me she had forgotten some of her grooming supplies and asked  “how do you manage to keep all of your grooming supplies and tack in order for shows or clinics?”  I told her that I had the same problem and shared her frustration when it comes to lugging around all my horse stuff! But last summer I came up with a solution so that going to shows or clinics was easier and less stressful…

A perfectly organized horse grooming tote that I leave in my trailer.  

I thought you would also like to discover how I put it together and made it work for me.  

GROOMING SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED

This post contains affiliate links, for more information see my disclosure here.

My grooming tote is a large wire-rimmed bag like this one that can hold all of my supplies including:

• A grooming box or grooming caddy to hold my brushes
• Hands On grooming gloves (my horses love them!)
• Stiff body brush
• Soft finishing horse hair brush
• A hoof pick
• Hoof oil or conditioner
• Wet wipes
• A clean rag
• Body Shine Spray, Greenspot remover, Tail Detangler
• Fly spray
• An organizer with all my braiding tools  
• A small container with extra braiding tools
• Skeins of Red Heart Classic yarn in a zippered mesh bag

Organized Horse Grooming Tote Checklist 

You can download a checklist of items for an organized horse grooming tote in my Free resource library. Not a member yet? Click here to sign up for Instant Access to my library of mane braiding videos and resources for FREE.  

Already a member of the Braid Secrets Community? There’s a new access button to the resource library on the Home page.

WASH & SORT YOUR GROOMING AND BRAIDING ITEMS

To organize my grooming tote I gathered up all my grooming supplies and cleaned the brushes.  I realized I had enough extra brushes, hoof picks, and a durable brush holder to create a dedicated grooming tote that I could leave in my trailer instead of lugging everything back and forth from the barn for each clinic or show.  

Next, I added a braiding organizer (a DIY project) that slides onto my belt and holds all my tools. It folds up neatly for storing too.  I also placed some spare braiding items I can’t live without (a latch hook and extra clippies) in a plastic container.  I bought an inexpensive tight-weave mesh bag with a zipper (for washing delicates) and put my yarn skeins inside to keep them clean. Now all my braiding supplies were organized, protected from dust (it seems to be everywhere horses are), and ready to use.  Here’s a picture of my braiding organizer.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER IN AN EASY-TO-CARRY TOTE

Finally, I put my grooming box, braid organizer, container of extra braiding supplies, and the bag with yarn in the large tote.  This tote has a wire rim and handles so it’s easy to carry and hang.  I placed my new grooming tote in my horse trailer knowing that I was prepared for my next adventure with my horse.  Now I have to admit…I’m not the most organized person, but I really do love being organized.  Here’s a bird’s eye view of my perfectly organized horse grooming tote!  

A TACK CARRY ALL THAT MAKES HORSE LIFE EASIER

After finishing my perfectly organized horse grooming tote, I was on a roll (an organizing binge)! So for my tack and equipment, I took a hanging tack carrier and filled it with my bridle, lunge line, riding helmet, gloves, dressage whip, and horse treats. I love this tack carrier because it has a convenient shoulder strap and it zips shut so it keeps my equipment clean, organized, and dust free.  I purchased an extra saddle pad just for shows and clinics so that I always have a clean white pad ready for my rides. When I get home I wash the pad and return it to my trailer. 

CONCLUSION

Since I have my perfectly organized horse grooming tote in my trailer, horse life is easier.  Now all I have to do when leaving for show or clinic is grab my tack carrier, saddle, and girth.  I find that I can relax and look forward to my ride knowing I have everything I need. 

Have you created an organized horse grooming tote? I would love to hear about it! What did you include? Hit reply and tell me all about it in the comments below.

If you found this post helpful, please share it with your fellow riders.

Cheers!

Mary Beth