Must Have Equipment for the First Time Horse Owner

Riding, training, and care equipment are just as vital as feed and veterinarian care for a horse. Many new horse owners will begin purchasing equipment-using suggestions from well-intentioned friends and fellow stable residents. Here, is a list of the most important equipment any horse owner should have.

There is always a knowledgeable person in the stable who will keep abreast of the local equine shows, and tack sales. The tack sales consist of vendors and individual horse owners who are selling equipment at competitive and lowered prices. Keep in mind that it will not be required to purchase brand new saddles, bridles, blankets, and such. New equipment is only needed for the show horse. What is most beneficial to rider and the horse is fit and comfort. Your horse will not care if they have a used saddle or not if, that saddle fits perfectly.

Important items needed for riding and training the horse. These should be your first purchases:

Halter
Lead Rope
Hoof Pick
Brushes, both dry and wash brushes
Squeegee for after your horses bath
Bridle
Headstall
Chest strap
Saddle
Synch
Billet
Boots (Both riding and mucking)
Saddle pad
Lunge line
Whip (for lunging)
Stud chain

Many owners stable their horses at local facilities, especially those who do not have land of their own. Many of these facilities will allow owners a range of full or partial care. My family chose full-care since we travel on occasion and need someone on hand to provide feeding and care of the horses. Many stables have different supplies on hand and others require the horse owners to provide certain items. This stable uses cedar shavings, and we prefer stable pellets to protect the ground keeping it soft and clean. Because the stable does not use these, it is our responsibility to provide the pellets, vitamins, treats, feed additives (such as mare magic), and any extra items we want our horses to use. Some essential items that stables may not provide are:

Human first aid kit
Equine first aid kit (check out this article "Horse (Equine) Emergency First Aid Kit - a Necessity for Every Barn" for guidance on what to put in your first aid kit)
Vitamins (these will keep your horse happy and healthy)
Snacks (for human and horse)
Drinks (for human)
Towels (hand and body for both human and horse)
Grooming items such as horse shampoo and conditioner

Most stables have washing stalls, tack stalls, horse stalls, arena, bathrooms, and snack rooms. The stable owner provides necessities for these areas, but if ask, the owners will usually take donations of toilet paper, paper towels and such.

Resource:
Personal Experience
Horse.com
evesequinevetservices.com