What Basic Needs Everyone Should Put In Horse Tack Box Or Boxes

When you own a horse or horses in most cases, you need more than just a horse. While you need the basic things that anyone can tell you about such as a saddle, saddle pad, headstall and halter, there is much more you should have. In this article I am gonna go over all the little things some people may over look. I will even get into a few "redneck" items to have on hand to get you out of a jam. I figure the best way to make this useful for everyone is to break it up into different needs. So we will all need the basic items and add on as to your needs from there. I hope that a combination of these items can make grooming and caring for your horse a pleasure.

• Basic Needs (For us who are pleasure riders)

Tack bucket or box ~ Something easily carried that will hold all your supplies

Stiff bristle brush ~ To clean your horse's coat

Curry comb ~  For shedding or mud removal

Hoof pick ~ To clean your horses feet

Mane and tail comb or brush ~ Plastic is best it does not damage the hair as bad. A de-tangler will help here.

Scissors or clippers ~To cut bridle path

• Vet supplies ~ Always speak to your vet before treating your horse.

Vet wrap ~ For wrapping wounds

Cotton ~ To put between a wound and the vet wrap

Betadine ~ To clean wounds

Vaseline ~ To lubricate items such as thermometer

Thermometer ~ To take temp.

Clippers ~ To clear hair from a wound

Healing Salve ~ I use a homemade herbal salve, but things like scarlet oil, Fura-Septin, Swat or cut and heal work well also.

Colic remedy ~ To help a horse with colic. Speak with your vet as to what this should be.

Pain reliever ~ Speak with your vet as to what to use.

• Trail Tack ~ A kit to have in the truck or trailer. 

Vet Wrap ~ For use as a pressure bandage

Duck tape ~ Can be used to fix tack or make a pressure bandage

Diapers and or Maxi pads ~ To stop bleeding an easy emergency replacement for cotton (Maxi Pads are in sterile packages)

Zip Ties ~ Can make a easy and fast tack fix. I usually keep some in my saddle bags as well.

Small length of rope ~ 3 to 4 feet long can replace a rein or fix other broken tack.

Long rope ~ To tie your horse

Hobbles ~ To let your horse graze during breaks (if your horse uses them well)

Bottle of water ~ For washing off wounds

• Show Tack

Baby powder ~ A fast touch up on stained white spot on your horse

Baby Oil ~ To bring shine to your horses eyes and ears and nose

Razor ~ To get rid of those stray whiskers or stubble

Hoof Paint (Black or Clear) ~ To make those feet pretty

Wash cloth ~ To wipe dust and yuck from you or your horse before entering the ring

Soft bristle brush ~ Works great for areas of the face or to blend in baby powder

Shampoo ~ To wash your horse

Conditioner ~ Use in mane and tail for easier brushing

Show sheen ~ To make your horse shimmer

Package of bands ~ for banding the mane

Clippers ~ For clipping face, ears, feet and bridle path

Scraper ~ Plastic or metal to remove excess water after bathing your horse

• Foal Kit

Iodine ~ To put on the umbilical cord

Bulb Syringe ~ To clear the nose and mouth of fluid

Towel ~ To help dry off the foal

String ~ To tie off umbilical cord if needed

Bucket ~ To put placenta in

Flashlight ~ To see if it's dark

I have many other items in my foal kit to help with imprint training these items depend on your type of imprinting. Some of what I have are. Plastic bag, Brush, Clippers, Paper bag, and a Foal halter.