What if you are planning to own a horse within an extended time frame, e.g. by the end of the year or in the next two years? You may have no idea what sort of horse you will end up or what sort of specific equipment he will wear. Is there anything you can start getting ready at this early stage?
Numerous items will not be dependent on the size and type of horse you finally purchase and so can be collected right away. Many of them are the items that every horse owner will tell you you can’t have too many of! So prepare to shop, because there is no need to delay your purchase of these horsey accessories:
Lead Ropes
A horse owner can never have too many lead ropes. Lead ropes notoriously disappear at yards or get ‘borrowed’ to tie up loose fencing or gates until they can be repaired. They also fray and fall apart over time. You may find bargain deals on sets of lead ropes in catalogues, shops or online, so pick some up. At this early stage colour isn’t much of concern and the more the merrier.
Hoof Picks
Every horse should have his feet picked out regularly, especially before riding, and there is nothing more annoying than struggling to find a hoof pick. A few spares will solve this problem. You can keep extras in your car, grooming box, and folding hoof picks are very handy to keep in your pocket so you can use them at any time when leading or hacking your horse.
Other Grooming Tools
A grooming kit can be assembled right away, with various brushes, curry combs and sponges, and can be added to as much as you like. Some people like to have all available tools; some prefer to stick to the basics. A tough box to carry your gear around is another good investment at this stage.
Water Buckets
Plain old water buckets will always have a role around horses, whether it’s wetting manes, removing stable stains or tack cleaning. Spare buckets are useful, so get a few together before your horse arrives. Hardware and gardening stores may offer better deals on perfectly serviceable buckets than tack shops or other horse specialist companies.
Feed Buckets and Scoops
Enthusiastic eaters can destroy their feed buckets very quickly! Your options are to prepare for the possible worst and stock up on hardwearing rubber skips or to collect numerous plastic feed buckets for the cheaper price, at the risk that your eventual horse may be the type to go through them very quickly. You are likely to use a feed scoop at least once in your horse owning career, so one or two of these can be bought now.
Hay Nets
You will probably need hay nets at some time, whether it’s to keep your horse occupied while grooming or travelling, or to feed him when stabled overnight. They’re fairly inexpensive so it’s worth having one or two in reserve.
Leg and Tail Bandages
If you are going to be using bandages anywhere on your horse whether it is for exercising or travelling, these come in one size and can be collected now along with any appropriate under-bandage padding that may be required.
Riding Equipment for You
After your horse arrives most of your spare cash will be his, so make sure you’ve got enough whips, boots and riding hats. It’s always a great idea to have at least one hat spare at home, as if your first hat becomes damaged in a serious fall you won’t be left waiting for a replacement to arrive in the post, you can carry on right away with your back-up. Stirrups are one small piece of tack you can buy now, since they must be comfortable for you and fit your foot correctly, rather than fit the horse.
Extra Jodhpurs, Yard Gear, Footwear and Gloves for You
As a rider and owner, you will go through clothes at a much faster rate than you ever may have in the past! Before your horse arrives try to have an organised horsey wardrobe together, comprising of hardwearing yard gear, your show outfits and appropriate wet weather, hot weather and cold weather clothes. Safe non-slip shoes are needed for yard work. Gloves will be worn away at quickly, so stock up on some durable brands and keep your favourite riding gloves put away for just that, riding. Having enough warm layers for winter is important, and where this is concerned charity or second shops can be very handy, so if you notice a gap in your own supplies, visit one to find some serviceable cheap clothes to fill it.
Items that must wait until the horse himself is about to arrive or arrives include tack, rugs, and head collars that may not fit if purchased sooner, and feedstuffs or medications that could go off before they can be used.
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