How to Accessorize a Horse

So you have finally achieved your dream of owning a horse and are waiting for him to arrive at your local stables for you. However you now have to wade through the confusion of accessorizing your horse. With so much that you need and so much horse gear available where do you start? This is a guide is aimed at showing you how to accessorize your horse. It is impossible to cover everything in this introductory how to accessorize your horse guide but it will get you started and made aware of the necessities.

How to accessorize a hores - how to guide for new horse owners
Tack
One of the biggest accessory expenses you will need to buy for your horse is tack. Tack includes a saddle, bridle, bit, girth and possibly a martingale or breast plate. The saddle is the most expensive item of tack and a very important one. It is essential that you get a saddle that fits you and your horse correctly. Badly fitting saddles can lead to all kinds of unwanted problems. If you are unsure on how to fit a saddle seek the help on someone who is.

If you are on a budget you can save some money by buying a second hand saddle. A great advantage to a second hand saddle is that it will be broken in already, so no sores and discomfort! When you are picking out tack make sure to check the quality of the leather and craftsmanship. Paying a little extra for quality will be better in the in long term as your tack will last longer so long as you take good care of it. You will also need a couple of saddle pads and possibly some special pads depending on the needs of your horse. Make sure to keep your saddle pads clean.

Grooming supplies
In this section of the how to accessorize a horse guide grooming supplies will be discussed. Every horse owner needs to have a good grooming kit. You can store your supplies in a bucket or buy a special box designed specifically for storing your grooming supplies from your local tack shop. You will need to stock your grooming kit with three brushes one hard, one medium and one very soft. You will also need a round rubber curry comb, hoof pick, hoof dressing, clean towel, cut cream or spray, fly spray, mane and tail comb, mane pulling comb, sweat scraper, betadine for cleaning wounds, gauze pads and bandages.

Once you have put together your grooming kit make sure to mark each item with your name or initials. This way if your items are misplaced it will be easier for someone to return them to you. It is also important to regularly clean your grooming tools, otherwise they will build up with dirt and grim that will end up back on your horse.

Blankets
Depending on where you live you may need few or many blankets for your horse. In the blankets section of this how to accessorize your horse guide you will be introduced to the different blanket types. One blanket every horse should have is a sheet. A sheet is a very lightweight blanket that is good for cool summer evenings and keeping your horse clean for horse shows. They also provide an under layer for heavier blankets.

The next blanket weight is medium. This acts as a good top layer for the fall and spring and middle layer for the winter. These medium weight blankets come in variety of materials, once of the best is wool. The next blanket level is a heavy weight. These are usually quilted and designed for cold winter weather. There are also special blankets for using on your horse when they are turned out in the field. These blankets are extra durable and designed to keep your horse dry and fairly clean.

There are also other blankets that every horse owner should own. These are a cooler, sweat sheet and fly sheet. It is a good idea to have one each of these types of blankets.

The items discussed in this introductory how to accessorize your horse guide should cover most of the essentials. The cost of these items varies greatly and it is good idea to shop around. Don't be afraid to ask for help, as many of the items such as a saddle and blankets need to be fitted correctly. Thanks for reading this how to accessorize your horse guide and have fun getting all your new gear.