Henbug
Well-Known Member
As subject suggests what is everyones best one/ones.
sorry very very bored
sorry very very bored
Top Tips to do with horses
- Thread starter Henbug
- Start date
lastresort
Well-Known Member
Use furniture polish on tails cheaper than other stuff and helps mud not to stick while looking shiny and smelling like your lounge!! I use smart price for 26p
walkandtrot
Well-Known Member
if your showing, soak a cloth in an airtight bag damped in baby oil overnight, gives a great shine to tack and boots before you go into the ring.
Luce1504
Well-Known Member
My top tip is to not fall for buying horsey versions of things- if it has the word horse or equine associated with it then the price seems to rocket. I buy all my buckets and tub trugs from the local pound shop and they are just the same as the buckets you'd get at any tack shop. I buy all my shampoos, conditioners etc from Tesco, and even for things like waterproof trousers, i got mine from army & navy stores for £4.99 and then saw the same pair (in same packaging) in the horsey section of our feed shop for £9.99
zelli
Well-Known Member
well recently ive been shocked by how many shcoked faces ive had watching me when i open my bales of hay with another piece of bailer twine... lol
Henbug
Well-Known Member
If you use canary/yellowy jodphours or shirts for showing etc when the colour fades (which they all eventually seem to unfortunately) put them in the wash with some new cheap yellow dusters (tescos ones work well).
Henbug
Well-Known Member
zelli - I do the same and also seem to get strange looks. People are even more shocked when it works. LOL
Kate260881
Well-Known Member
Do people not do this anymore? :O I don't think I've ever opened a bale of hay with anything other than bailer twine!
Nosey
Well-Known Member
Baby wipes for everything - wiping stirrups/bit rings/spurs to horses noses and bums and your own hands after.
Hot diluted Vinegar as a grease cutter / coat shiner.
Cheap pot cleaner thingies and old bits of tee shirt / knickers
for tack cleaning.
Cheap flannels / towels / tea towels for cleaning nags.
Rolled up old pair of tights can buff up your riding boots.
Hot diluted Vinegar as a grease cutter / coat shiner.
Cheap pot cleaner thingies and old bits of tee shirt / knickers
Cheap flannels / towels / tea towels for cleaning nags.
Rolled up old pair of tights can buff up your riding boots.
Henbug
Well-Known Member
no at my yard people open with knives but i don't think its a great idea as obviousley accidents occur but also they all get lost all the time atleast with bailer twine its ALWAYS there!! why use anything different
fathorse
Well-Known Member
Another showing one....pair of tights over the plaits over night protects them from dust, shavings, poo etc.
Henbug
Well-Known Member
nosey - hadn't heard the one with the old tights for boots going to a show tomorrow so will give it ago (I always seem to have old tights with holes in)
Natch
Well-Known Member
Ooh glad other people use bailing twine too! I always used to where I used to work, while everyone else was hunting for the knife or in most cases a flint that's sharp enough!
I have heard cheap white shirts from Primark washed with dusters make great kids show shirts but haven't tried that one myself.
Check contents lists of your supplements if feeding more than one to check you're not doubling up on the main ingredients needlessly. Then once you find out the active ingredient try to source a non-branded version, from a feed mill if possible or a more basic brand.
Poundland or similar for storage boxes, sometimes tools, shampoo etc etc. They often sell cheap human first aid kits too, which can often form the basis of emergency stuff for horses - sometimes a bandage is a bandage. High vis vests from cheapy places too!
Wash washable rugs in the bath (get trampling!) if won't go in washing machine, rather then send to tack shop.
Lint roller over your jacket just before go into a T&T showing class.
Old Silk shirts/show ties/in-hand showing outfits can all be found in charity shops, silk makes a great last minute duster at a show
Buy a wall planner and stick it up on your tackroom wall and mark on farrier/vet/back person/dentist appointments, as well as worming and shows/events, and importantly, reminders a month before the deadline to get event entries in!! Makes life so much less stressful!
I have heard cheap white shirts from Primark washed with dusters make great kids show shirts but haven't tried that one myself.
Check contents lists of your supplements if feeding more than one to check you're not doubling up on the main ingredients needlessly. Then once you find out the active ingredient try to source a non-branded version, from a feed mill if possible or a more basic brand.
Poundland or similar for storage boxes, sometimes tools, shampoo etc etc. They often sell cheap human first aid kits too, which can often form the basis of emergency stuff for horses - sometimes a bandage is a bandage. High vis vests from cheapy places too!
Wash washable rugs in the bath (get trampling!) if won't go in washing machine, rather then send to tack shop.
Lint roller over your jacket just before go into a T&T showing class.
Old Silk shirts/show ties/in-hand showing outfits can all be found in charity shops, silk makes a great last minute duster at a show
Buy a wall planner and stick it up on your tackroom wall and mark on farrier/vet/back person/dentist appointments, as well as worming and shows/events, and importantly, reminders a month before the deadline to get event entries in!! Makes life so much less stressful!
at work
Well-Known Member
Not to have a horse
Henbug
Well-Known Member
atwork -
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
Marry your farrier (like I did)
Equus Leather
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
well recently ive been shocked by how many shcoked faces ive had watching me when i open my bales of hay with another piece of bailer twine... lol
[/ QUOTE ]
This is an old trick, but I think many people stopped doing it because the friction and heat caused by rubbing 2 bits of bailer twine together can cause fires.
well recently ive been shocked by how many shcoked faces ive had watching me when i open my bales of hay with another piece of bailer twine... lol
[/ QUOTE ]
This is an old trick, but I think many people stopped doing it because the friction and heat caused by rubbing 2 bits of bailer twine together can cause fires.
walkandtrot
Well-Known Member
Have a tackroom clear out, then you'll find 300 things you never realised you had! or is that just me?
maisie
Well-Known Member
Work for your vet (like I do!)
fathorse
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Marry your farrier (like I did)
[/ QUOTE ]
I seriously contemplated this ... but the 20yr age gap, serious hunchback, & receeding hair line kinda put me off
Marry your farrier (like I did)
[/ QUOTE ]
I seriously contemplated this ... but the 20yr age gap, serious hunchback, & receeding hair line kinda put me off
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Marry your farrier (like I did)
[/ QUOTE ]
I seriously contemplated this ... but the 20yr age gap, serious hunchback, & receeding hair line kinda put me off
[/ QUOTE ]
I've just shown this to my OH and he looked at me and said, "didn't put YOU off, did it?" - but then I always was careful with money lol
and it certainly saves a packet! (he's not too bad actually when he's clean and doesn't smell of hot shoeing
)
[ QUOTE ]
Marry your farrier (like I did)
[/ QUOTE ]
I seriously contemplated this ... but the 20yr age gap, serious hunchback, & receeding hair line kinda put me off
[/ QUOTE ]
I've just shown this to my OH and he looked at me and said, "didn't put YOU off, did it?" - but then I always was careful with money lol
fathorse
Well-Known Member
Ha ha, my friend married her farrier but he was very nice. She now has her own tack shop & 2 very nice showjumpers on her very own land. Her wedding was like something out of OK magazine. She does love him dearly just got the balance right I guess!!
I think it would be more cost effective for me if I married my vet instead at the moment!
I think it would be more cost effective for me if I married my vet instead at the moment!
Rowreach
Adjusting my sails
Yup with me it was a toss-up between the farrier and the vet, but I decided on balance I needed the farrier more often!!
I think I made the right choice as he doesn't get called out in the middle of the night and is quite handy about the place!
Toby_Zaphod
Well-Known Member
I have to go along with Milleinjet, steer away from anything labled Equine if you can possibly get it from another source as it will be ridiculously pricey. I get my trugs from a builders merchant. They are half the price & twice as strong but they don't sell them in pink or purple
. Waterproof coats, over trousers etc much cheaper in a camping/hiking shop & very often better quality. Use the internet to source items...... I just saved around £50 on a Blue GPA Titanium hat by using the internet & got free p+p
mickey
Well-Known Member
Test whether electric fence has current running through it by picking out a piece of grass and holding it against the electric tape. If there is current you will feel a dull tick (no pain!) through the grass.
Cocktail sticks for cleaning out grease in tack holes
Sugar soap added to warm water for getting grease off leather tack.
Thin elastic attached to your competition number for showing - Looks neater than the tape. Also rounding the corners of your no looks neater.
Plastic feet bags to put over long boots for showing classes so your feet don't get muddy before you get on the horse.
The old plaiting tricks of using more plaits if your horse has a short neck, plaiting up on top of the crest to give your horse more (false) topline - showing again
The list goes on..........
Cocktail sticks for cleaning out grease in tack holes
Sugar soap added to warm water for getting grease off leather tack.
Thin elastic attached to your competition number for showing - Looks neater than the tape. Also rounding the corners of your no looks neater.
Plastic feet bags to put over long boots for showing classes so your feet don't get muddy before you get on the horse.
The old plaiting tricks of using more plaits if your horse has a short neck, plaiting up on top of the crest to give your horse more (false) topline - showing again
The list goes on..........
AnnaandStella
Well-Known Member
Don't waste money on expensive feeds - instead speak to knowledgeable people & mix a feed from straights which will prove much more satisfactory.
Find a good yard with friendly people who're willing to share!
Baby oil & water in a plant sprayer (97p from Asda) is almost as good as the expensive coat sprays you get
Spend money where it counts - like a comfortable saddle - but also buy things you like.
Woven leadropes last much longer than the twisted ones, cheap leather headcollars are safer than expensive ones for everyday turnout use, Weatherbeeta rugs seem to fit most horses well, B&Q green garden chests are great tack boxes for £40 & make the most of yr washing machine & keep all yr horse's things as clean as possible.
Find a good yard with friendly people who're willing to share!
Baby oil & water in a plant sprayer (97p from Asda) is almost as good as the expensive coat sprays you get
Spend money where it counts - like a comfortable saddle - but also buy things you like.
Woven leadropes last much longer than the twisted ones, cheap leather headcollars are safer than expensive ones for everyday turnout use, Weatherbeeta rugs seem to fit most horses well, B&Q green garden chests are great tack boxes for £40 & make the most of yr washing machine & keep all yr horse's things as clean as possible.
SouthWestWhippet
Well-Known Member
LOL some good ones here. I was thinking about this earlier today funnily enough whilst I was finishing up on the yards and my tips would be
> Always shut the stable door behind you if you are tacking up/changing rugs. The number of times the little buggers have run out the door, you would think I would learn this one!
> Always move the wheelbarrow well out of the way before you get the horse out of the stable. Another thing I forget to do and end up with half a ton of jigging horse in a narrow gap either standing on my toes or knocking it over.
> always use a leadrope when leading as if the horse pulls back suddenly it hurts A LOT when you go flying through the air and face down onto the ground.
> Don't leave headcollars on in the stable. I see loads of people do this but since I had to untangle a horse from his door clip, with him nearly breaking his neck (not to mention my fingers) in the process, I am rather more anal about it.
> Always shut the stable door behind you if you are tacking up/changing rugs. The number of times the little buggers have run out the door, you would think I would learn this one!
> Always move the wheelbarrow well out of the way before you get the horse out of the stable. Another thing I forget to do and end up with half a ton of jigging horse in a narrow gap either standing on my toes or knocking it over.
> always use a leadrope when leading as if the horse pulls back suddenly it hurts A LOT when you go flying through the air and face down onto the ground.
> Don't leave headcollars on in the stable. I see loads of people do this but since I had to untangle a horse from his door clip, with him nearly breaking his neck (not to mention my fingers) in the process, I am rather more anal about it.
Twiglet
Well-Known Member
I used to use baling twine to open bales but find a yard knife is far less effort and they're safe.
- Hooking a lead rope through water bucket handle and pulling it into stable is less strain on the back than carrying them. Just be careful not to spill!
- One of the massive oversized tub trugs underneath a hay net catches waste - especially for horses like mine who won't eat it once it's hit the floor/woodchips.
- Have a supply of snacks and drinks at the yard!
- One of the hanging multi hooks outside the stable is so handy - mine currently has feed stirrer, mini fork for mucking out, hoofpick and spare baling twine on it.
- Have a contact list with all liveries emergencies numbers, vets and farriers on, is useful in emergency situations.
- The grey foam pipe lagging from DIY shops over saddle racks stops indentations on underside of saddles.
- Hooking a lead rope through water bucket handle and pulling it into stable is less strain on the back than carrying them. Just be careful not to spill!
- One of the massive oversized tub trugs underneath a hay net catches waste - especially for horses like mine who won't eat it once it's hit the floor/woodchips.
- Have a supply of snacks and drinks at the yard!
- One of the hanging multi hooks outside the stable is so handy - mine currently has feed stirrer, mini fork for mucking out, hoofpick and spare baling twine on it.
- Have a contact list with all liveries emergencies numbers, vets and farriers on, is useful in emergency situations.
- The grey foam pipe lagging from DIY shops over saddle racks stops indentations on underside of saddles.
bexandspooky
Well-Known Member
I have been known to use baler twine for opening other bales of hay, that has been ruined by using haylage - i'd like to see baler twince getting into that wrapping!!!
But a word of warning, at a livery yard i used to be at, the heat generated by using baler twine to open the bale actually set alight to the bale of hay, which could have been really expensive with 300 bales and most peoples feed etc in there!
If i do use that method, i always check and double check that nothing is burning!!
But a word of warning, at a livery yard i used to be at, the heat generated by using baler twine to open the bale actually set alight to the bale of hay, which could have been really expensive with 300 bales and most peoples feed etc in there!
If i do use that method, i always check and double check that nothing is burning!!
Henbug
Well-Known Member
If you go out hacking always shut your horses stable door behind you because if anything happens often your horse will go home if the door is open your horse could just go in and people might not realise there is anything wrong whereas a horse roaming around the yard fully tacked up is bound to open some questions. Have found this to be useful in the past when something happend to a friend out hacking.