So you just bought a horse. Now what? If this is your first horse you probably have nothing but a horse and maybe a halter. Well here’s a list of the essentials. Go to the store and spend more money. If you bought a horse you probably have more than you know what to do with anyway so you might as well clear out the savings while you’re at it.
Basic moving around with the horse stuff:
- Halter
- Lead rope (if it’s not attached already)
- Saddle stuffs
-
- Saddle
- Off-side billet if it’s a western saddle (English saddles have the billets built in)
- Girth (so many options, get neoprene to start with)
- Long latigo if it’s western (this’ll keep the girth on, get one. I like leather ones)
- English? Make sure you come home with leathers and irons. You’ll be happy I mentioned it.
-
- Bridle
-
- Headstall
- Bit (what kind of bit? Get a double-jointed eggbutt snaffle to start)
- Curb strap (leather is all ya need)
- Reins (nothing too thick and nothing too long and don’t get anything pink)
-
Basic grooming tools:
- Dandy Brush
- Curry Comb
- Hoof Pick
- Sweat Scraper
- Shampoo (Mane and Tail is fine, you know you wanna warsh them old owners off right away)
- Grooming supply tote
In a few weeks or months, you’ll figure out what you want and don’t want in your horsey arsenal. So remember, this is just the first “get the basics” type of shopping trip so don’t buy top-of-the-line stuff— save that for down the road purchases.
And…
This is not everything you’ll need; it’s just what’ll get you started. So get started and go get some stuff. You know you wanna.
If I’ve missed anything, let me know by commenting below. I covered what I think are the basics but everyone’s basics are different, so lemme have ’em!