When buying your first horse, or any new horse, it can be tempting to head straight to the tack shop to stock up on equipment.
Before going out and spending a fortune, make sure you ask the seller they are letting any equipment go with the horse are prepared to sell.
The most costly item will be the saddle and your new horse’s previous owner may have no use for this. However, it’s advisable to have a knowledgable person check that it actually fits both the horse and you.
The amount of stable equipment you’ll need will vary depending on where you plan to keep your horse.
If he’ll be on full livery some of the equipment may be provided. If on DIY livery or stabled privately, you will need to buy your own equipment, feed and potentially bedding.
This list is a basic starting point only. Some items will need to be bought before your new horse arrives; other items, such as the saddle, will need to be fitted once he’s with you.
Your shopping list
Tack and equipment
- Headcollar and lead rope
- Bridle and bit
- Saddle/leathers/irons/girth
- Numhan or saddle pad
- Martingale/neck strap (optional)
- Boots (optional)
Clothing/rugs
- Stable rug (temperature appropriate)
- Turnout rug (weather appropriate)
- Cooler rug
- Fleece
- Fly sheet (optional)
- Tail bandage
- Travel boots
Stable equipment
- Bedding (if not supplied by your yard)
- Hay/haylage (if not supplied by your yard)
- Concentrate feed
- Feed bowls/scoops
- Water buckets
- Haynets (if using)
- Wheelbarrow
- Fork
- Shovel
- Broom
- Basic grooming kit
- Bucket/sponge/sweat scraper
- Basic first-aid kit
- Tack cleaning equipment
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