Unexpected equestrian items: 15 unusual must-haves for every stable yard

Whether you’re looking to save time on yard chores or a new go-to for quick fixes, investing in these stable yard staples will make your life a lot easier.

Some items might not seem essential at first glance, but once you’ve discovered their true potential – or alternative yard use – you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.

1. Washing machine

If you’ve got a washing machine on your yard, you’ll know how handy it is to be able to wash sweaty and dirty saddle pads, boots, coolers and stable rugs without clogging up the washing machine at home. Even better if you’ve got a laundry bag that catches all the loose hair.

Check online sites – such as Facebook Marketplace – to see if you can pick up a free or cheap second-hand machine.

2. Kettle, mugs and other crockery

You can never have too many mugs at the stable yard – visitors will always appreciate a cup of tea, and it’s best to offer them something in a clean receptacle. A kettle is also an essential, of course, whether it’s electric or sits on top of a camping stove.

And while most equestrians are content eating picnic-style, a few spare plates or sets of cutlery pinched from home will certainly come in handy. (No need for a matching set, of course.)

3. Leaf blower

We all like a clean yard, but sweeping takes a lot of time. A leaf blower will not only cut down the time it takes to get your stable yard dust, hay and leaf-free, it’s also great for cleaning out cobwebs from hard-to-reach corners.

Just remember to only use them inside when horses are turned out, as the dust that they kick up can cause respiratory issues.

4. Baler twine

Can you even call yourself an equestrian if you’ve not used baler twine to fix almost everything on your horse yard? This durable string is typically used to bind hay or straw bales, but can also be utilised as a go-to for quick fixes like tying up broken gate latches, securing feed buckets or even mending fencing.

5. Travel cot

Cots are becoming quite popular to use as hay feeders in the equine community. Not only are they cheap to come by and replace, but they also help to prevent wastage, while allowing your horse to eat in a more natural position.

Travel cots can be used in a field or stable, but are best secured to the fence or a wall to prevent your horse from relocating their new gift.

6. CCTV camera

Knowing what your horse is up to when you’re not there to watch over them in person can bring peace of mind. There are plenty of options available, from solar-powered cameras that use a 4G connection to more basic systems that run off a power supply and connect to the wireless internet at the stable.

You can often watch the footage on your mobile phone – which just might become your new favourite evening entertainment.

7. Sieve

If you’re fed up with smashing troughs in the winter, just for the ice to then refreeze in thicker lumps, having a kitchen sieve on hand will help you to scoop broken ice out without getting your hands wet. Simple but effective!

8. Toolbox

Horses tend to break things, but a toolbox with handy essentials – such as a hammer, pliers and crow bar – can save time and prevent injury to you and your horse, saving you from unnecessary insurance claims.

9. Nappies

It’s important to keep a first-aid kit on-site, and within that, it’s wise to keep a few nappies. These can be used to add extra padding to a hoof poultice, taped over with duct tape for a hard-wearing and water-resistant finish.

10. Biodegradable wet wipes

Wet wipes are an essential as they have a variety of uses – from wiping hands before lunch (in lieu of hand washing, if there’s no running water) to wiping your horse’s runny nose.

11. Exercise ball

Another field and horse stable repurposed item is a fitness ball. These provide additional physical and mental stimulation – but be aware that the exercise balls designed for 70kg human use aren’t likely to be as heavy duty as those designed for use as stable entertainment by a 500kg horse.

12. Hairbrush

No need to buy a mane and tail brush if you have a regular hairbrush at home – they do the job just as well!

13. Purple shampoo

This shampoo, usually meant for brightening light-colored hair, works wonders on grey or white horses, too. It helps remove stains and yellowing from their coats, leaving them looking clean and bright – especially useful before a show.

14. Hanging sock dryer

Circular sock dryers – complete with pegs attached – make excellent bandage and boot dryers. Just find somewhere in the horse stable to hang it up (preferably out of your horse’s way).

15. Extendable dog lead

If you find certain items – such as scissors, hoofpicks or the sharp knife you use to open bales – always seem to go missing, attaching them to an extendable dog lead can help to keep them secure. This will prevent anyone who uses them from accidentally walking off with them and misplacing them elsewhere.