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What do you really need in your barn? If you’re new to horses, truth is, you don’t need to buy out your local tack store. Let me break down some of the basics that are essential to creating your own minimalist barn kit.
Minimalism matters in your barn. Horses will be horses, and they will injure themselves or give you the unexpected. What you can do is keep everything simple and organized. At the end of the day, you need to save the big things- the wraps you’re unsure of, the mystery lameness, or the unexpected behavior for your superiors. Always remember to ask for help- from your trainer, vet, farrier, or other horse people in your corner. For now, I will break down what YOU can have in your barn for the day-to-day with horses. These are products that have assisted me with my horses in my decade with them.
Why does minimalism matter in a barn setting?
Quality over quantity. Get a few tried and true products. Skip the trial process of buying twenty products to have nineteen of them cluttering your tack room. Buy products that can serve multiple purposes. These should be tools that reduce chaos, not add to it.
Daily Grooming Essentials
• A good grooming set. Amazon has some great options to get you started like this Weaver Equine kit.
• Absorbine Showsheen – I like to get the gallon to refill the spray bottle when empty – it saves you money!
• Farnam Endure Sweat Resistant Fly Spray – I also recommend getting the gallon to refill the spray bottle. Minimalism is all about saving money by choosing trusted products! You’ll save over $20 by purchasing 128 oz. to refill vs. purchasing the 32 oz spray bottle four times.
Tack Room Staples
• Breakaway Halters – As much as we adore them, horses are fight-or-flight creatures. In the event that your horse spooks, bolts, or gets stuck somewhere, you want to have a halter that will break. I recommend getting either a breakaway halter or a leather halter (which you may cry about when it breaks).
• Lunge lines You’re going to want a non-Nylon lunge line—trust me on that. If you want to save your hands, get cotton or polyester and make sure it’s padded! Normally, the longer the lunge line, the better—so you can work your circles in and out. Don’t settle for small circles and blisters!
• A good treat. Give your horse some love. My horse’s personal favorites are the German Horse Muffins.
Riding Essentials
• Roekel gloves –Whether lunging, riding, or ground-working, Roekel gloves are my rock. They’re not slippery, they fit wonderfully, and they last. 100% worth the price—I ask for a new pair every Christmas!
• One K Helmet – This helmet has protected me more times than I can count on two hands.
• LeMieux Saddle Pads (dressage) and (A/P) You could save money by buying the cheap pads, but I’ve seen LeMieux pads last for years—through the washer, used every day, and still look good for the show ring. Cheap saddle pads will be worn and stitching will come undone, but LeMieux will last for years in good condition.
Horse Health Basics
Here’s a couple of necessities in your minimal equine first aid kit:
• Corona Ointment – For when your horse inevitably scratches himself or plays too rough!
• Swat – Surround your horse’s cut with Swat. It’s essential in the summer because the gnats and flies love to hang out in a wounded area.
• AluShield – For the scratches that need a “bandaid”
• Vet wrap – I’ve found myself using simple vet wrap for when my horse gets an abscess.
• Betadine – It’s important to prevent infection with those minor cuts. Betadine does this. There are various sprays with Betadine in it, but I find it easiest to get the bottle because you can use it for anything and know you’re getting the real deal.
Minimalism
Minimalism isn’t about owning less– it’s about owning what supports your peace. A barn feels calmer when your tools are simple and reliable. Take your barn back to the basics. What product is consistently there when you need it? Maybe you resonated with the ones mentioned or maybe you can testify to your own. I’d love to hear about your own trusted products – email me at info@thechestnutdream.com !