Links in our articles are for companies who’s products we use and love. When you make purchases clicking these links, we might or might not be compensated for sending you to their website. We are not compensated for reviewing products, and the opinions on this site are purely the writer’s. We appreciate your support and trust as we know your time and money is valuable!
I thought it might be fun to have an update of this series since it’s been 4 years! I’m ALWAYS trying new products to review. Because of that I’ve always got something new in my arsenal of grooming products…but these are the ones that I love and rebuy time after time (or are new must buys). Aren’t you curious what ends up in my regular rotation? Well below is what stays in my cabinet all the time! I do have other items of course that get less use. I also have other items I take to horse shows that differ from the day to day…and I do have a whole first aid kit in the cabinet that’s different stuff. However we’re going to stick with the day to day, regular use stuff today.
My Must Haves
Coat Moisture – The Eqyss Marigold Spray has been a favorite for years. It smells amazing. It adds great moisture and shine. Not slippery and helps repel flies. And in bulk pricing, it’s not expensive (in fact I highly suggest you buy the bulk to save money). I also more recently fell in love with the The Simple Equine Root Renaissance Conditioning Spray. This stuff is 100% required for the few weeks before and after a clipping job. Jax has super itchy, dry chestnut skin…and he turns into a complete princess about clipping (I don’t blame him). So this helps a LOT. It’s basically a lighter version of their tail treatment. Lots of good oils.
Mane and Tail – A few favorites here. Simple Equine Tail Treatment is an all natural tail treatment that helps improve the tail over time (root treatment). It’s the only thing I use regularly. I leave the tail alone most of the time. When I need a detangle, I grab the Knotty Horse Detangler. It smells like HEAVEN and really gets out those bad tangles and helps protect hair from breakage. I also like the Equifuse Gleam…but prefer the Knotty Horse simply because of the scent.
Fly Spray – Nothing has changed here. Honestly…even with all the interesting ones I’ve tried…I always go back to RepelX (the concentrate and the lotion). RepelX kills flies and isn’t stupid expensive. This product is old school, but it works. I combine it daily with the Simple Equine Warm Weather Comfort Spray a natural oil based spray that actual repels bugs for the best of both worlds!
Brushes -I love Haas body brushes and have several! I don’t buy other brushes now. HandOn Gloves are a huge hit with all the horses, so I have a couple of pairs and will keep buying them. I also adore the the Epona Tiger Tongue and Epona Queen’s Brush. I won’t go without either in my trunk. The Noble Outfitters Hoof Pick has become my go to there…as it’s so strong I can actually get out packed in footing without accidentally hurting myself or the horse. LOL.
Grooming Tote – I’m boring. I use old school plastic ones (mine is black). Cheap. Long lasting (I’ve had the same one for A LONG time). Easy to clean and dry. Easy to keep things organized. Sorry…didn’t take a photo…but you know…it’s the kind that kids at riding schools use.
Dry Shampoo / Wipes – I’ve been trying a few of these…and have most recently settled on the Equiderma Daily Defense Dry Shampoo. Why this one? I like the container best. It’s the easiest to use without dumping half of the product out on the horse (so while it is a bit more expensive…I don’t use it up nearly as fast). Is it any better than the others? I don’t really think so…but the container is the winner…so it’s the winner. I also love the Betty’s Best Grooming Wipes for a quick face wipe down or getting gunky girth marks off.
“Makes baths easier” Stuff – My must haves for a quicker bath. Either the Water Hose Soap Sprayer thing I got from Cavali Club (you can buy similar on Amazon in the link) or the EZ Wash Wand. The soap sprayer I love for full baths I’m doing a lot of scrubbing because it gets the soap on really easily and thoroughly. The wash wand for quick baths with the spray shampoo or a hose down after a bath as the way the sprayer works it does most of the work for you. I also LOVE the Horseware Rambo Dry Rug when it’s just a bit too cool or cloudy for a quick dry in the sun. Cuts down on drying time a lot. Didn’t photograph the cooler recently but here is an old one.
Bit Balm – Simple Equine Contact Comfort. I really like this one as it’s extra slippery and melty…and not thick and goopy to put on. It also doesn’t smell horrible like some of the others with weird flavorings in it. It happens to be multi-purpose too which is ALWAYS a bonus. I missed photographing this one. Sorry.
Deodorizing Spray – the one I make! Ha! I’ve tried a few of these over the years and honestly it’s just not worth buying it. I make my own. I also didn’t photograph this…but oh well.
Shampoo – Equifuse CFS concentrate for every big bath. Nothing beats it after all these years. Does a great job cleaning, adds good shine and doesn’t dry Jax out too much. It’s also a concentrate so a little goes a long way. For spot cleaning or quick baths I use the Simple Equine Simple Suds.
Body Rinse – I’ve been using this for years, and will keep using this. The Equifuse Rehydrinse adds killer shine and helps keep your horse cleaner longer. Also makes the coat SUPER soft. Excellent product and I use it after every pre-show bath. Nothing beats it…even after all these years.
Thrush Treatment – No Thrush is messy to use and not cheap, but this stuff heals up heel cracks and bad thrush REALLY well. I have not found anything better (and I’ve tried A LOT of thrush treatments). I also like Durasole for hardening up the foot. I like the Leovet Frog Medic for less severe thrush moments, as a daily treatment, and to get into tricky spots as the spray applicator is awesome. I use the Masti-Clear or Dry Cow in a pinch if it gets bad quickly once the rain starts.
Hoof Oil/Treatment – Sound Hoof Conditioner. I like this one specifically because…it’s not filled with junk. It smells delightful. It does a good job. AND it is applied with a brush so I don’t make a mess of myself.
Skin Conditions/Minor Injuries/Abrasions – I’ve had excellent luck with all of these products for different issues! I think all are must haves in your tack trunk. Jax gets really bad dry spots in his armpits and elbows and The Simple Equine Soothing Chickweed Cream heals it up every time. Also little ouchies on his face. Absorbine Fungasol works well on skin nasties (and with multiple options for type of application…gel/cream, spray, shampoo) it’s easy to use and doesn’t break the bank. For something you don’t need very often…you don’t want to go spend a bunch to have it go bad by the next time you need it again. Nu Stock is amazing for all sorts of cuts and abrasions. Bed sore. Bug bites. Helps the hair grow back as well! My trainer introduced me to it…and I keep it on hand all the time now.
Liniment – I use the Natural Release Muscle Wash on myself and horses! Love it! Also realize not pictured. Sorry! I have about 10 bottles of liniment laying around because brands really like to make this stuff…and send it for review. I don’t use it regularly, but this is the one I like most.
Clippers – Andis Pulse ZRII with Ceramic Blades. I love these. Battery lasts for a full clip. The ceramic blades last multiple clips with no problems. No major over heating issues. Cordless. Multiple speeds. Love them! Looking forward to the full body clip I’m doing with them in a few weeks.
Leather Cleaning – I’ve probably tried them all at this point. Here’s what I keep buying. Sterling Essentials cleaner for my boots, saddle, girth…anything really dirty. Belvoir Spray conditioner which I use on my strap goods and beat up old boots that need moisture. Effax Leatherbalm or The Simple Equine Love My Leather Balsam on my saddle on great occasion (I have and love both…just depending on the smell I want for the day…). And more recently the Tack Hack Donut Sponges became a must have. And the Bella Mars’ Tack Saver Mitt! I can’t forget those. At $10 for one…they last forever (so far they’re just as good as they were when I got them years ago), they clean super well, they keep your hands from being destroyed by tack cleaner or oily from conditioner, and they’re easy to clean and dry. They’re great. I have a handful of them I keep on hand and switch out and wash when needed.
Bit Cleaning -The Original Bit+ Wash Bit Cleaning Kit. Yeah this is a thing. I just bought this kit and holy heck I’m sold. I used to use wipes. But the combo of the spray, plus the cleaning cloth, plus the scrubby tiny brush thing. It’s great. Not only did it clean my bit up in a second…it cleaned the stones on my brownband to sparkling too. I do wish it came with just the spray so I didn’t need to get a new cloth and brush every time…but oh well. It’s fab. I’ll buy it again when it’s used up.
Supplements – Lastly and most importantly…supplements. Without a healthy inside…a shiny outside makes no difference. Landing on a supplement routine has been a process. Grand Meadows has my heart after giving me great improvement in Jax each time I’ve started a new supplement. He’s on Grand Premium Plus and the new Postbiotic. Now that he’s on the Postbiotic I’ve considered dropping him to a cheaper all inclusive supplement…because all of this is a lot of $$…but he’s just doing so well. I can’t make a change…event to save the $$. The Postbiotic has made SUCH a difference in his general attitude…and honestly…strangely…his soundness (he used to come out a little stiff and off…those days are FAR fewer in between…and he’s a year of his last injections. He’s staying on it until the end of time (or until he gets sold and is no longer mine to feed). I also give him an extra small dose of Quiessence to make his magnesium intake be what it would be with a full dose (when added to the GPP) because when I tried to drop him from it last year he started having some issues with his muscles and ended up with ulcers…so I put him back on it. He also gets free access to salt. Reminder if you are curious to try out anything from Grand Meadows you can use my code (RMASE) for 10% off and flat rate shipping.
So that’s that! As I mentioned…there’s some other items I use specifically for shows…and my first aid kit is filled with a few other things, but those aren’t regularly used so not something I’ve got so much experience with that I 100% recommend them no matter what.
What are your favorite horse care / grooming products? Do you love any of my loves? Hate any of them? I really am interested to see what everyone else has in their grooming totes!