Using "non-horse" products to save money

[cabaret]

My friends and I have come up with many ways to save money here and there by using "non-horse" products at the barn. Does anyone else have any good tips? Here are the ones I can think of right now:


Synthetic sponges (the large neon colored rectangular ones) instead of natural sponges
gentle soaps/shampoos for washing tails instead of commercial horse shampoo
old blankets for extra layers when cooling out a horse
large plastic tupperware container instead of fancy show trunk (its more durable too, and some even have wheels!)
carrots and apples or homemade horse treats instead of buying them
using empty supplement containers as boxes/buckets for brushes, brading kit, horse treats, etc.
wide bristled hair brush instead of expensive mane and tail combs


I look forward to reading any more tips you all have :)

[galadriel]

Old supplement buckets are almost as useful as haystring and duct tape :) I just drilled small holes out of the bottom of one to use it for rinsing/straining beet pulp.

I use Rubbermaid type tubs for holding feed as well as other kinds of storage--but they do get brittle and break after a couple of years of exposure to heat and cold. Stuff made out of Fortiflex type plastic is much more durable.

~ ~ ~

You can use cheap generic antibiotic ointment (for people) on wounds.

I get big bottles of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide when they're on sale and use those for first aid also.

I use generic Metamucil instead of commercial preparations of sand colic preventatives.

I make up electrolytes for my horses. One container of powdered Gatorade for flavoring and electrolytes; two containers of "Lite Salt"; two containers of "Plain Salt"; a handful of Epsom Salts.

I also use Gatorade powder to flavor things for the horses--water from unfamiliar sources (like at shows), medications, etc.

Some things are much cheaper if you buy the horse version, though. Mineral oil, fly repellant, iodines of different kinds, etc are often cheaper bought at feed stores than at stores for people.

Livestock mixing salt in 50-lb bags is cheap and easier to store and use than buying containers of regular salt at the grocery store frequently.

I buy a 25 lb bag of horse treats (Apple Wafers) for $10-$15. It's cheaper than I could make them, and I've never had a horse turn one down. Most horses will do just about anything for them.

Feed and watering tubs are much safer when you get the ones designed for horses, as they're less prone to shattering with age and abuse.

[galadriel]

Just thinking, still :)

You can get wire brushes, like for cleaning barbecue grills, for hoof cleaning.

I've been bathing my horses with plain dish soap. It gets them really clean and is cheaper than anything.

I re-use flyspray bottles for all sorts of things--bleach for spraying the premises/water tubs when cleaning/etc, using plain water for desensitizing horses to fly spray, mixing various homemade recipes for fly repellant, conditioners, or rainrot cures.

Thinking of conditioners, for mane/tail detangler: you can get hair conditioner, mix with water, put in a spray bottle. Works pretty well :)

[Vicki&Milo]

Things like this always make me chuckle, we used to tease my dad about it-he's a fisherman and the saying goes 'paint anything green, double the price and sell it to a fisherman', and its so true-not just for fishing stuff but for horse stuff too-how come sponges from robinsons are £4 or so, and you can buy 3 for a pound from superdrug??

I just wonder what the equivalent of green paint is for us riders?

Vicki xx

[stitches]

Melonin dressings, from the chemists, are extremely cheap wound dressings and are often less bulky than Animalintex etc for smaller wounds.

[Trewsers]

Yeah, why are "horse" sponges so expensive?! knickers to that, I go to Bodycare and get 4 for 70p!!! hehehehe, I'm sure Storm doesn't mind !!

[Wally]

The day Frances or I buy a specific horse thing, that'll be the day. We do use mane and tale de tangler, as baby oil is just far, far too messy when you are dealing with all the mane and tail we collectively have.

We beg sheep mineral and cattle mineral lick buckets. All our hay and silage feeders are made from discarded, recycled mussel floats. We use Fairy liquid to bath them in, one bottle will last all show season.

Never use hof oil, only on show day, one pot between nearly 30 horses has lasted me at least 10 years. :)

[Peanut]

I use the empty supplement buckets for making up speedibeet. Even got a handle.

[Holly B]

Things like brooms and wheelbarrows and stuff can be bought for much cheaper elsewhere. :D

[cluelessmolly]

a pair of tights cut in two makes an excellent tail sleeve, and cheeper than all the tail bags etc ive seen

a sweede tied to a string instead of a boredom breaker

[eml]

Great fan of Tesco Value conditioner as a mane and tail detangler. Tresemme shampoo to clean greys, car sponges for bathing, tights cut up to keep plaits and tails in order, duvets (IKEA!!!) as under rugs (sew on a front strap from old surcingales. IKEA bags to weigh/distribute hay!

[tigs]

washing powder to clean tails on grey horses works just as good as 'horsey' whitening product which cost the earth!:)
baby oil instead of more expensive eye and muzzle highlighter.

[cabaret]

I never though of cutting up tights for tail bags - thanks for posting that cluelessmolly

[Chips_Honey]

I have a full Equestrian Resume complete with references from 2 qualified instructors and the owner of Winmalee Australian Stockhorses whom I used to ride for and the results from every single show i have been to since 2004 and pictures of my horses at shows, turned out well with their awards and trophies etc and I contact big horse companies and ask for sponsorship. I have quite a few sponsors now. I have been so far sponsored by horseland (www.horseland.com.au) a saddlery chain in Aus, WAPROO Pty Ltd - Joseph lyddy Horse Care Products (www.josephlyddy.com.au) and a part Sponsorship from Show Pony Attire (www.showponyattire.com.au) and there is also one other who i cannot name yet as it isn't 'official' yet. But So far i have been given vouchers for horseland and 12 seperate 10% off vouchers, $200 worth of Joseph lyddy Products of My choice + rugs and saddle blankets because i have to advertise their products at shows, and Show Pony Attire have given me a few vouchers for their shop.

It definately pays off if you are accomplished and can approach the companies with a professional attitude and results to back up all of what you tell them about your riding etc... good luck to anybody who is going to give this a go =) Don't be disappointed - you might get rejected a few times - you won't always get instant results :)

Bec

[mogadoga]

Garlic seaweed and mint from health stores rather than the tack shop.

And i think everything else i do/can think of is mentioned!

[sugarcubes]

baby shampoo works great on horses too as its really mild. Baby talcum power can be rubbed into sock to make them whiter, or just plain chalk, its cheaper than the stuff from tack shops. You can also buy leather conditioning whips from wilkinsons for about £1. They are cheaper and far less messy than using saddle soap, and leave leather nice and shiny but not greasy.

[Ptaty70]

Anything with 'horse' labelled on it is expensive. There are many ways around what we buy as shown here. Love it!

I constantly look for 'human' things to use on CW. Bought a great hairbrush for £3. Sponges are 'human'. Use human shampoo.. hmm there are so many..

looking forward to other tips!!!!!!

Oh and I bought the BEST riding jacket from a ski show... last year's colour, waterproof, zips at the bottom are the same so you can sit down, bright colours... all for £20! flipping bargain!!!

[Chips_Honey]

Another human product you can use on horses instead of make-up is 'black nugget' shoe polish and vaseline over the top - Let me assure you this doesn't hurt the horses, that was what everyone used to use before Champion Tails and Ultra Make-up where invented! You can also do a layer of chestnut coloured show polish (on CHestnuts) then black over the top - this gives you the red-brown colour of the ones you buy for chestnuts :) Then your vaseline over the top will give it a shine!

Bec

[Chips_Honey]

Sorry for the multiple posts... Also, Mr Sheen works really well as show sheen or hair polish etc... but just a hint DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PUT IT WHERE THE SADDLE GOES IF YU ARE RIDING!!!! Even if your grith is tight you might just end up undeer your horse/pony!

Shoe polish (the type in a bottle with a sponge applicator) works well as hoof black (and it isn't bad for their hooves like Black-It is) but it is a bit dull so spray some Mr Sheen over the top also when your hooves get a bit dusty in the warm up area you just wip them with a cloth and spray a bit more Mr Sheen and they're sparkling again :)

Bec

[BeachRiding]

I use mineral oil for mane and tail conditioner, and dove shampoo for the horses.

[Arianrhod]

I use Avon Skin-so-soft for sweet itch protection. Also keeps the midges away better than any of the other products ive tried.

[x.fat-pony.x]

You can get cheap tack trays to keep your brushes in from DIY shops! :)

[Hero]

Tail shine - Just use Baby Oil.

[smaggi]

You can use Vasoline for hoof conditioner to help prevent cracks and keep them from drying out.

[Sexy Sietske]

You can use Vasoline for hoof conditioner to help prevent cracks and keep them from drying out.


:eek: Isnt that petrolium jelly and im pretty sure thats not good for the hooves. Best thing I find for hooves is water :D can't get much cheaper than that :D :D

Keeping the hoof realy clean or letting the horse stand in water to soak up the moisture for dried/cracked feet.

[bethaimeelou]

i love posts like this :)

also detangler for kids like the loreal ones or shops own for tails and manes
i also make my own fly spray for the summer season.

lou

[Goldie'sGirl]

I've used nappy changing boxes like this (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://s7ondemand6.scene7.com/is/image/Mothercare/lz3338%3F%24thumbnail%24&imgrefurl=http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lz5754&h=81&w=70&sz=2&hl=en&start=68&tbnid=ZDEGSbWWmFFMvM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=64&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbaby%2Bchanging%2Bbox%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rlz%3D1 T4GGLJ_en-GBGB176GB176%26sa%3DN) for a grooming kit box before. But it was really clean, wasn't second hand and didn't have any baby transfers on lol. You can put all your big brushes, sweat scrapers etc in the bottom, face bushes, sponges, hoof picks in the top bit, and plating bands in the smallest bit on the top.
GG

[Lgd]

Cheap nappies for keeping poultices on feet.

[DITZ]

on the other hand...
polypads make excellent ironing pads (saves getting the ironing board out just pop that on the work top!) and folding hoof picks are great to take on the ski slopes to get the compacted snow out of your snowboarding boots!

[buttons]

We use old plastic 200l drums cut in half for water troughs in all our fields and small wash-up sponges (with the scrubbing pad on the back) are great for tack cleaning- (use gently!!). Baby bum cream (Zac etc) is great for mud fever - heals and keeps the water off..... ordinary veg. oil is great in feeds and cattle lick tubs scrounged from your nearest farm are great in the stables - they hold so much more water than buckets and no nasty handles!!

[Frances]

Polypads make the best cat beds! Billie (who was special) loved his, kept him nice and cosy in his cardboard box!

[Bluey's~Friend]

G'day! Well using rubber gloves is a great idea when its malting season because it works as those magic block thingys! Buy my warning is only use it when your horse has a lot of loose hairs. It hurts em' otherwise!

Gotta Gallop,

Bluey's~Friend

[doris]

'Vanish' soap to whiten and clean white tails, but be sure to wash it out well with some good mild shampoo.

Cheap hair brushes are good for manes and tails.

Aqueous cream from the chemist is a super hoof moistener in the dry summer months. Huge tub for a couple of pounds.

[teddypony]

Baby wipes for sensitive skin are great for cleaning eyes/muzzle, they are gentle on their skin and cheap, get the job done. Much cheaper than the ones designed especially for horses.

[Anro]

A good way to stop sweet ich is to put garlic in thair feed (well thats what my dad said);) :D

[devon lass]

we got a giant, really thick saddle pad from olympia last year for about £4 i think which is brilliant as a dog bed, very similar to one which robinsons charge about £40 for

[Emerald_city]

i go to savers and get a big shampoo bottle really cheap - £1.70 i think but it has a pump on the top so much easier that getting bottles around hooves and losing half the bottle when your horse stands on it :rolleyes: :D

i use a realy cheap washing up liquid on white bits or in jorjis case all over lol .

also a big fan of the old tights job !

Also instead of hrsey products in tails , to make them super shiny give them i light spray with car silicone spray n you get instant shine n gloss but dont put too much on !

[roan rebel]

If you use gloves to poo pick/skip out etc. then gardening gloves will last longer than rubber gloves.

I use cheap tesco baby wipes for eyes, nose and dock, but if I buy a different brand I test them on me first - if they don't sting my eyes they're ok for horsey!:)

For plaiting I always use the horse's own hair! If I'm brushing the tail and some hairs come out I keep them and use them as 'thread' for plaiting for shows. It's strong and a perfect colour match! (although mine is cobby and some breeds might not have such strong hair, question of trial and error I suppose.)

Stuff like buckets, brooms, shovels can often be bought cheaper at local hardware shops than the special 'horsey' ones.

I also bought these big 'fun tubs' from Woolworths which came in handy for loads of things, a water bucket, muck skip, carrying tack around etc.

I have got bright yellow reflective vests for hacking free from my Dad who is a civil servant, they chuck them out when they are still perfectly usable, so might be worth asking anyone you know if they have any spare.

[Gothika]

The big 1 litre blue tesco value shampoo - can't get as white socks anywhere else, and its only 23p per bottle! Better than 10 quid for a bottle half the side doing half the job.

[horse__obsessed]

this wont really save money but when you pull the mane save the hair and stick it in plaits to make them even

[dancer gyp]

A great thread, i certainly have picked up a couple of things..but please please a warning to novice owners..it really isnt recommended that you use products designed for the car or house on your horse...its much different with human products as alot of them are tested on animals anyway...but if you read the back of alot of car and house products..usally it says irritant to skin or wear gloves...if its irritant to you, it could cause problems on your horse...so whilst im trying not to be a kill joy, i think its worth pointing out to novice owners thats alot of these chemicals are harsh and should only if they are used! be used in experiened hands...;)

[thoroughlybred1]

a duvet for your bed £25 - add buckles, straps and call it a horse rug £125!

Echo the Mr sheen as coat polish - works well as mane and tail detangler too. Hairbrushes work just as well, if not better than mane combs.

melt some lard, add some eucalyptus oil (cheaper from chemists) and add a little colouring for hoof oil - stinks the house out but a fraction of the price of regular hoof dressings

[Lot1983]

Next time you go to the petrol station, grab a load of those free thin plastic gloves, they're great for picking up poo, and also if your horse has muddy feet from coming in from the field you pop one of these on over your normal gloves and you keep them clean!

[katefarmer]

gentle soaps/shampoos for washing tails instead of commercial horse shampoo

Be careful on this one! Horse skin has a different ph from human skin, and they can get allergic reactions to products designed for humans. A friend of mine washed her horse's mane with baby shampoo (how innocent can you get!!??) and the poor horse had a really horrible allergic reaction with big sores down her neck and half her mane falling out!

Not saying this happens every time, but it's something to watch for. There are some shampoos that are suitable for human and animal use, and these should be fine - but I'd check with the vet/pharmacist first!

[hackedoff]

B&Q in UK sell red plastic snow shovels for about £7- best tool ever for a shavings bed and cleaning up yard and yes...shovelling snow!
Frizz-Ease purple is great for detangling cobby tails.

[puzzles]

ooh, these are incredible! :-)
x

[puzzles]

yeah, and always test a small area of the skin first.

[Greentchr]

I use an old enameled bath tub for water in the field.

I use leave-in hair conditioner for manes and tails- doesn't leave it sticky like baby oil, or attract dust like the regular rinse-out conditioners.

[halkynuk]

oh! what a brilliant topic

,,, as well as expanding recycling potential!

Here's a few of my favourites to add to the list of suggestions so far:-

Manes & tails - brilcream - excellent to help untangle &./or clean manes & tails, a little bit spread through either really does the job - apply today, brush through tomorrow to see the difference.

Sweatiche & irritating insect problems - Autan Insect Repellant - wonderful, not only for the horse but rider

Dry, cracked, problem hooves - water! yes, really. Apply with damp sponge daily, at least, if pasture is short or the horse is stabled, allows the hoof to absorb moisture, which it needs to do.

Baler twine - 1001 uses - single twine, platted or braided - useful for many applications where you just wished you'd got a piece of rope!

Empty supplement buckets - 1001 uses - spare water/feed buckets, storing things, a couple of smaller ones are easier to carry than one full bucket of water.

[Greentchr]

Baler twine - 1001 uses - single twine, platted or braided - useful for many applications where you just wished you'd got a piece of rope!


Oh my, yes!

I remember years ago when I moved out of the city for the first time in my life. THe house we moved into had very practical people in it before us, and they had used orange baleing twine just everywhere! I was horrified- the ugliest thing I had ever seen!

Fast forward a 'few' years:p ... I put up my temporary pole fence with baling twine last fall, tied the tarps down over the swing and chairs for the winter, tied up the scale, tied down the snow-covers, repaired a fence, fastened the electric fence poles together... all with the lovely orange-colored twine that we have so much of!

[equine5pirit]

...
I've been bathing my horses with plain dish soap. It gets them really clean and is cheaper than anything....

This ruins the coats natural oils, and will make them not as shiny as they should be. One really cheap shampoo which is great for horses is 'Tesco's Extra value shampoo' it's blue and lasts for ages.

If your horses mane sticks up take a little wax and mix it with warm water and gently smooth it down. Be careful not to use to much wax as it will cause the mane to go sticky and will ruin the apperance of the horse. (this also helps when you are plaiting up a horse, do it first on each bit of mane before you plait it.)

Once your hoof polish is dry, rub a little baby oil over each hoof right before entering the ring for a final shine

· After your horse's feet are clipped, cleaned, and polish is applied to the hooves, buy some cheap ankle high tights and pull over hoof and part of leg
· Wring out an old towel in baby oil and wait for it to dry a little bit. Then rub the horse all over with it. It makes the coat very shiny.
· Applying chalk to white markings makes them blindingly bright, but dampen the area with water first.


tamsinnx

[Giveitago]

You can make a great haynet out of bailing twine- I was suprised no one had mentioned it yet.

Tablet garlic from Holland and Barret when its on half price special.

Washing/linen baskets for skipping out.

Flatish garden trowel for taking wet patches out of a chip bed.

skipping out gloves from tesco £1 for 20 pairs.

Beeswax for saddles.

echinachea and vit C for coughs and runny noses.

1 kettle of hot water in a plastic bag-with the haynet- steams the hay in 5 minutes instead of all that soaking. And it's light enough so you can still carry it and it doesnt drip all down your legs.

And- has anyone seen those huge garage type workshops 25x10 feet in wood for about £ 1500- leave one side open and it will make a great field shelter for 2/3 horses!!

[puzzles]

. . . then again all shampoos to a degree ruin and imbalance the natural oils in coats - hence why you shouldn't do it very often at all.

[thoroughlybred1]

Instead of using the usual horsey stencils for quarter marking (ie squares and diamonds) try something different from the likes of B&Q - the lass that turns my racehorse out has won many a best turned out prize using something different like a fleur de lys (sp) on his bottom!

[Tuff_up]

hm well if you go to wallmart or some store like that right now whats in still are thses skinny leg tight pants that look much like riding pants but are really for underneath those mini skirts. i have pair with tiny skulls and crossbones, and stars to match my personality for 10 bucks very useful and you don't get mad if you ruin them because they weren't much money but they did the job. THEY COME IN PRETTY COLORS TOO!
also an old sheet works well for tail wraps after bathing.
going to horse auctions is another great thing to do because usually theres more tack for sale then horses. also your local tack sales are good too i found 4 polo wraps for about 5.00 with a free tail wrap and they had never been used all that at a tack shop would have been around 35.00 also a saddle blanket for 10.00 almost brand new while at the tack shop it was 45-50.00.

[showjumper-zoe]

Sensitive baby wipes instead of proper coat, eye & nose wipes, under tail wipes etc etc.

[Greentchr]

You can make a great haynet out of bailing twine- I was suprised no one had mentioned it yet.


What a great idea! Do you have instructions on how to make one?
hm well if you go to wallmart or some store like that right now whats in still are thses skinny leg tight pants that look much like riding pants but are really for underneath those mini skirts.

Do you use them for under your regular riding pants, or instead-of riding pants? are the heavy enough to use for riding pants? Do they have seams on the inner legs?

I would love to get my daughter some riding pants that would be comfortable- without spending $50. I wear jeans, but they hurt her.

[smaggi]

Do you use them for under your regular riding pants, or instead-of riding pants? are the heavy enough to use for riding pants? Do they have seams on the inner legs?

I would love to get my daughter some riding pants that would be comfortable- without spending $50. I wear jeans, but they hurt her.

If they have inner seams you could just sew suede or ultra suede patches like breeches have. That would cover the seams.

[ellewoods]

I wreck all my horsey clothes, I attract oil and grass stains :rolleyes:
So I stock up on layers and tee shirts and vests for £2 a go at Primark and save my favourite Joules stuff for when I'm riding / having lessons :)

[Sarah-Lou :)]

someone mentioned about making your own fly reppelant...how would you make it?

SL x

[Sarah-Lou :)]

someone mentioned about making your own fly reppelant...how would you make it?

SL x

oops i just realised theres a whole thread about that!!!
soz :o :p

[Vez]

I bourght a hairbrush and a comb for £1 which I use on Willows mane and it works better then normal mane comb!

[squizzymel]

Zinc and castor oil nappy rash cream from the supermarket is excellent for superficial wounds or whatever you would use products like Potties White Ointment for.

Sulphur from produce stores instead of garlic in the feed - works better than garlic as insect deterrant, is cheaper and doesn't stop reoxygenation of red blood cells like garlic does with continued use.

Best mane and tail comb I've used is my fingers.

Don't use shampoo if you don't need to remove stains. Water and rubber squeegy repeated once or twice removes dust and dirt without removing the coat's natural oils. Coat, mane and tail come out lovely, soft and shiney and no problems of scurf from products not rinsed out properly or dry, itchy, flaky skin.

Save your tea bags from you morning cuppa and make up a cuppa with warm water to use for cleaning nostrils and wiping around eyes. Smells good, nice and warm but don't use it on light coats unless you don't mind a light brown stain.

The cleaning mits from the supermarket that attract the dirt (the ones that you don't need to use with cleaning chemicals) are great for removing the dust from coats and are soft around the head and don't tickle around the tummy like brushes do.

Old electric blankets from op shops are usually 100% wool, thick and durable, and the least expensive woollen fabric you can buy from anywhere. You just need to thread out the wires and if you want to felt the fabric just wash doing the complete opposite to what you do for you best jumper.

Tell your family and friends what you need. Yesterday got a queen size bed cotton mattress protector and queen size bed woollen fleece underblacket from mum that she didn't need anymore. She said to use it for Odin but thinking I will retire our bed's old ones for Odin and use her rejects for our bed.

Unwanted older style sleeping bags make rugs, Ususally satin or waterproof on one side and cotton on the other.

Make up cotton rugs from sheets for use under bigger, thicker rug. These can be swapped regularly, protect the thicker rugs from the body oils and sweat and are easier and cheaper to wash than the big one.

A good roll in just damp wood shavings is a great way to remove dust from the coat and give the hair a natural shine.

Free lease your horse to your local Riding for the Disabled (if it is suitable). They will house it, feed it, do daily care, and share vet expenses in return for its use. You still get to ride whenever you like because they generally use the horses during the times you don't. Its different for each centre but it's worth checking out.

Store your bales hay on a $3 tarp to catch all those lovely bits of leaf that fall to the floor and get spoiled.

Hardware store tool belt is great as a grooming tool belt.

Squeezy sauce bottles are good for products like molases and hoof dressing. harder to spill, easy to grab and use, doesn't hiss at the horse like spray bottles do. Just fill them up from from the larger quantities you can buy and store.

Simplify your medicine/first aid box, look into the old faithfulls, like sulphur, condy's crystals, pure honey etc.

[missyL]

for all those that have ruined your riding clothes (which i have! lol :D) then pri mark is great, i got a pair of jeans for £4 theyve lasted me a year so far and dont show any signs of falling apart and t-shirts and 2 for £1.50 in there so you dont need to worry about them getting ruined.;)

[joey_olop]

Good old Sudocream-75p a pot & helps most sweet itch rubs, insect bites, cuts, sores you name it!! Love the stuff :)

[coyote]

One really cheap shampoo which is great for horses is 'Tesco's Extra value shampoo' it's blue and lasts for ages.

my lad is massively allergic to "tesco value shampoo" brings him out in huge hives!!!!!!! i find fairy liquid on white bits fantastic and head and shoulders for the rest of the body a tip given me by a very successfull shire horse breeder and judge.

[moff]

heres a few for u all:
1.if your horse tends to knock his/hers buckets over try placing them in an old car tyre and hey presto they cant knock them over anymore ;)

2.a turnip hung from some string in the stable works as a bordem breaker

3.a car sponge threaded on to the head piece (placed between the ears) on the head color works as a poll gaurd

4.a 1litre coke (or what ever) bottle cut in half at an angle works as a feed scoop

5. a plastic washing up bowl can be used either as a feed bowl or a skip to pick your horses feet out in to

6.a plastic safety rasor (or your finger nails) can be used to remove bot eggs (cheaper than a bot knife)

7.never tried this but i know that if leg straps rub then you can try putting bike inner tube over them.

8.if your horse cribs try putting mustard on the area that he grabs and cribs at

9.instead of buying small holed haynets make one using twine or slip one haynet inside another

10.instead of buying specially designated ties for show jumping use your old school tie or steals dads for the day (thats what i do :) l

v moff xxx

[Kismetsgirl]

I use a one gallon tub for scooping out feed

[sarah--x]

Sun lotion on horses with bare skin on there noses!

xxXx =]

[Tarka]

For the horse that hates having suncream put on his pink nosey, sew an old flannel on to the headcollar :) My friend at the yard did that for her horse and now everyone has it!

[Ladyknight]

Wow, great thread guys!:D
I was just wondering, earlier someone mentioned they use valseline/petrolleum jelly on the hooves. Then someone said it was bad for them. can you please explain why?

Thanks

p.s Is it because it stops moisture from getting in???:confused:

[Cheeky]

Nice thread ..

Here are my few ..


Use baby-oil as a de-tangler .. and adds shine!
Old toothbrush for cleaning the hoof when applying betadine/cleaning
Use people hair wax/gel for plaits .. works wonders!
Old chaff bags as jump fillers .. cut the bottom open, and hang it from a high jump pole, and put another on the bottom to make the jump look 'filled'. Or lay on the ground.
Bit slip through the mouth when you one-rein stop (usually on loose ring snaffles)? Use a small piece of baler twine under the chin to keep steady.
Old water-spray bottles make great Betadine spray bottles! Much more acurate than applying with a sponge, gets the right area, ever time, with minimal mess!


Just a few I can think of at the moment :)

[mogadoga]

Yes Ladyknight, it stops moisture getting into the hooves :)

[bonni]

I use tesco value shampoo & conditioner on my horse and it works fine-only 28p for 1l

[Gemsluvshorsesx]

For fussy horses...
Use Pure Apple Juice from the supermarket instead of expensive bit sprays, just pour some over the bit.
Use the juice to flavour water for fussy drinkers e.g. at shows or just as a treat, or especially on hot days.

Ditto mild baby wipes.

A friend uses Tresemme on their horses manes and tails...

I use brown tape or sellotape on my velvet hat to get all the fluff and dust off it, makes it look like new, but be gentle!
I believe you can also steam velvet hats instead of splurging on those 'spensive hat cleaners.

[igloo]

For long hacks in the summer. Spray a tissue or some kitchen roll with your flyspray and slip it into a plastic bag to put in your pocket. Then wipe over your horse if the flies seem to be bothering him when out.

Also...
I haven't tried this but I've often read that feeding horses marmite helps their sweetitch? Worth a try :)

[monsoon1983]

I used to always keep a tub of sudocream around the yard - hell if its ok for babies its should be ok for horses.

Used to use it for everything, sweet itch, mud fever, sunburn, and on any nick or cut the horses occasionaly appeared with.

(plus it makes a fab spot ridding face pack for us humans too!!)

Claire

[xtremehorseyfan]

*Put a few drops of vinegar in their water to help keep the flies away.
*Buy forks, buckets, feed bowls, wheelbarrows etc from hardware stores.
*Use rubber gloves instead of a shavings fork.
*Add a few drops of citronella or fly spray to some unfragranced baby wipes to use as fly wipes.
*Use ordinary combs and hairbrushes for bushy manes and tails.
*Use a high SPF sun cream for easily burnt pink noses.
*Use sudo cream for cuts, grazes, sunburn etc.
*An old supplement container for hoof pick skip, feed scoop or a place to keep your grooming brushes.



This a great topic to discuss!

[aussieannie]

Melonin dressings, from the chemists, are extremely cheap wound dressings and are often less bulky than Animalintex etc for smaller wounds.
womens sanitary pads are even cheaper as dressing pads. I use used ironing board felt for bandage wraps. I use honey as the only antiseptic and keep the wound covered until it is 100% healed. I make my own saddle cover out or curtain material, I plait my own ropes using twine. I use boot shine for hoof black and baby oil for tail shine. i make my own hay nets with macramé twine.

[smaggi]

womens sanitary pads are even cheaper as dressing pads.

They work great and if they are individually wrapped, they are very clean for the wound. You can also use infant diapers for dressings.

[blugirlie]

The only ones I could think of were the sponges and using Tesco Shampoo. A big bottle (about 1l) only costs something like 30p, it smells nice and it lasts absolutely ages! :)

[piebaled_prince]

Aqueous cream mixed with teatree oil for cuts, scrapes etc (the aqueous cream mosturises & the teatree oil is an antiseptic!)

And Miton (or shops own is even cheaper) and cider vinigar for treating thrush!

[Ginger Thing]

I use aqueous cream on hooves in dry weather - I am convinced Hoof Moist is aqueous cream with a different label and double the price!

I get cotton wool, Hibiscrub (MUCH cheaper than vet!), hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, methylated spirits and citronella oil (for flyspray) from the chemist, and Asda nappies for poulticing (fastened on with Duck Tape!).

[Troi]

*My Mum plated old tights to make replacement straps for rugs, esp good for under tail as they could be chucked if too pooee:D
*I buy cow food for my horses, much less money/bag and I just check the energy value to make sure it's not too high. Compare the contents of diff bags of horse and then cow food if unsure. They only get hard feed when very cold anyway as all are very good doers. It's keeping weight off my problem:confused:
*I also use pink udder cream for cuts etc, antiseptic, fly repellant and cheaper than horsy stuff.
*Charity shops are great for jackets, fleeces, ties for rider, and blankets for horses, dog beds etc.
Baler twine is used for everything, we get nice blue stuff on our bales:)
*If you can get together to buy in bulk, feed etc the feed firms will usually give a discount.
*Fairy antibacterial washing up liquid good for shampoo, but always test anything 1st, you can always use it up in kitchen!!

[GothRider]

My little mare is prone to tangles and what I call 'twizzles' caused by the wind...i naturally have curly hair but since buying new straighteners my hairs good now, so I used up my old frizz free Smoothing Balm by Umbero gilliani (I think thats right) and just comb it through a few times a week and voilla her mane is amazing, you can by a tube of it for a couple of quid in boots and it goes a long way. And it makes them smell nice hehe