What Do You Need For Your Horse?

Over the years many customers when starting up reach out to us online and instore with the question “what do I need for my horse?”. It’s always a great pleasure for anyone of us at Just Equine to answer the questions and give someone that helping hand, when starting out in their equestrian venture.

Where do we start, so much to choose from, is often a question you hear in a worried voice. Well, our answer is always quite simple. Assuming, you have the horsebox or the horse trailer and you’re ready to collect your horse. So where better to start than the head.

You want to make sure, you arrive with at least a head collar and Lead Rope in the horse box. You can spend lots of money on the finest head collar, but we would suggest a cheaper head collar for travel. Save the finest head collar for shows or of course if you want the best for your horse, you know where to click. Combine this in the horse box with a Trailer Tie and a Equi-Ping for added safety and you are ready to go.

Some customers will go that little bit extra and invest in some Travel Boots and a rug for travel, but this is not necessary, especially if it’s a warmer month. If there is a chill in the air and you are looking to keep your horse a little warmer during the travel home then check we will always advise the Lightweight Stable Rug or the Mesh Combo Cooler Sheet. 

To ride, you’ll need a way to help control your horse and this comes by the means of a bridle and a horse bit. We have a great range of horse bits, for jumping, eventing, dressage and everyday riding. Our bridles are stunning and we hold a great range in stock from our supplier Dy’on.

Next, you’ll want a saddle pad and saddle. Now we don’t stock saddles, but work with many of our colleagues that do. But when it comes to saddle pads, we have some of the best in stock and with over 500 to choose from, we are certain we have one in stock you like. Once you have picked your saddle pad, why not choose a half pad for under neath your saddle. The half pads help reduce the pressure points that a saddle often causes.

There is no getting away from this, you place a saddle on a horse, you sit on the saddle and this puts pressure on the horses back. It’s how you reduce the pressure on the horses back that is key, and that’s when is it worth investing in a good quality half pad. Don’t just buy the first one you see, it’s worth spending time and doing your research, but one we will always recommend, that continues to be a crowd pleaser is the Anatomic Sheepskin Half Pad.

So you have the bridle, you have the bit, you have a saddle, and you’ve picked the half pad and saddle pad that pleases your taste. 

So now you need to keep the saddle in position. This comes by way of a girth or stud girth. You will always need at least a girth, but sometimes if you are jumping and your horse catches itself, a stud girth is required, but for everyday riding, check out our selection of Sheepskin Girths and the finest Artificial Leather Girths from Kentucky Horsewear.

With the upper half of the horse now done, we need to look at protecting the legs. Horse boots come in many different brands and many different forms. The most common for the front legs for showjumping is Tendon Boots. We believe in the old saying you get what you pay for. All though not the cheapest brand on the market the Kentucky Horsewear brand of tendon boots deliver the best protection on the market for your horse.

One of our cold favorites for competition is the Kentucky Elastic Tendon Boots. These boots have stood the test of time and a keen favourite with both professional and amateur riders. The Elastic Tendon Boots are complemented with breathable air vents along the tendon area to help keep the legs cool and on the inside a perforated breathable soft liner with clever shock absorbing D3O technology along the tendon and fetlock area. For an everyday tendon boot, for training at home, look towards the Kentucky Air Tendon Boots or the KM Elite Tendon Boot Air Shock. Both very good tendon boots and super affordable prices.

If its exercise boots we are looking for, then check out the Solimbra Exercise Boots by Kentucky Horsewear. Lightweight, super breathable with climate control moisture protection with its clever solimbra fabric, like that of Gortex. These boots are perfect for walking out, warm up, exercise, dressage and turnout in the day and night. What about Eventing we hear you ask, what event boots should I look at. Well, that’s easy. Look no further than the Air Tech Eventing Boots.

Air Tech Eventing Boots have an anatomic design. They provide a perfect fit and follow the contours of the horses legs. Available in both black and brown in two sizes, these are the perfect choice for the eventing and hunting fanatic.

Some horses are prone to overreaching. This is where the horses back feet overreach during exercise and catch the rear of the horse’s lower front leg, hence why tendon boots are also worn. The overreach boots are only worn on the front feet and come in all different styles. Some known as bell boots, are a wrap-around style using a neoprene type material. The Kentucky Leather Over Reach Boots use high-quality artificial leather that cleans up nicely after each wash, whilst also protecting your horse’s feet. Available in many sizes from medium to extra extra large, we should have the size that fits your horses. 

For horses that have sensitive skin then check out the Sheepskin Over Reach Boots. Using the same fabric as the leather overreach boots, these are neatly finished with a quality artificial sheepskin trim. The boots are machine washable and give great protection all around.

Finally, we come to hind boots. Again, depending on the discipline, you are competing in, or if its just for everyday riding, then we have a great choice to get you started. For every day, look at either the Air Fetlock Boots or the new Young Horse Boots. These boots provide great protection for everyday use and can also be used for competition, saving you money in the long run.

Should you have any questions on any of the above, then please feel free to contact us at Just Equine on + 44 (0) 1403 249966, where one of the team will be happy to help.