These six products for use around the farm will make getting through the winter with your horse that much easier.
Series IV Pirit Heated Hose
$109.95 for 12-foot; www.pirithose.com
Farm Innovators Thermocube
Operates with any 15-amp 120-volt electric heater or fan, turning on when the surrounding temperature reaches 35°F and turning off when it reaches 45°F. It’s perfect for use with stock tank heaters and more.
$10.99-14.99; www.jefferspet.com
Dr. Smith’s Horse Vac
Turn any vacuum cleaner into a horse vacuum. Soft rubber teeth have a massaging action that lifts the coat to allow the vacuum to remove dirt and dust in minutes.
$19.95; www.valleyvet.com
Dura-Tech Strainer & Ice Breaker
Keep hands from getting wet and cold when breaking up ice in water troughs. A cushioned neoprene grip makes this chore even more comfortable.
$29.99; www.sstack.com
High Country Insulated Bucket Holder
Keep buckets from freezing in temperatures down to 15°F. The heavy foam insulation prevents water from freezing; the float top is easy for horses to push down. Can be used alone or with a 5-gallon water bucket.
$74.99; www.statelinetack.com
Shapley’s No.1 Light Oil
A conditioning oil for coat and skin that doubles as a way to keep snowballs from packing into shod hooves. An added bonus? Spray it on shovels to prevent snow from sticking.
$13.99; www.shapleys.com
Winter HacksIn addition to these winter horse products, many traditional household items can be repurposed into cold weather barn helpers. Dryer Sheets: Rub the horse with a dryer sheet before blanketing to prevent the shock of static the next time the blanket is removed. Electric Kettle: Keep an electric kettle in the tack room of your barn if you don’t have hot water available. A small amount of warm water is perfect for spot-cleaning coats, cleaning tack, adding water to soak feed or make a mash. Duct Tape: Make tabs on blanket hardware with duct tape to make the metal much easier to grab and handle without removing your gloves. Plastic Sled: Live in an area that gets a lot of snow? Move hay bales on a sled for easier transport. Grip tape: No one wants to hold a metal-handled tool for any length of time when temperatures plummet. Wrap tool handles with grip tape for an additional layer of protection between skin and metal, plus added grip. Long-tipped Lighter, WD40 or Lock De-icer: There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a frozen gate latch during morning feedings. Carry a long-tipped lighter, WD40 or lock de-icer to make feeding times a bit more manageable. |
This article about winter horse products appeared in the November 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
