2) Stiff leather can be a pain in the neck to work with. If you don’t have an oil or leather conditioner on hand, regular cooking oil works just as good. You can also buy this in large quantities, and can be used for many other tricks (almost as valuable as duct tape!).

3) While we’re on the subject of cooking oil, you can use it to also brighten up your silver before a show. Baby oil works for this as well. It creates that “slick ‘n shiny” look to your tack.

4) Dirty halters? You can try using regular soap and water, or you can try boiling them in a big pot. Soak your nylon halters in soapy water for about 4-6 minutes before throwing them into a pot of boiling water. The soap breaks up all the oils and dirt, but boiling water will help lift it out of the nylon material. This should be done after having been worn on a sick horse as well.

5) Need a tack trunk? How about a Rubbermaid Box instead? They are fairly inexpensive, can be found almost anywhere, come in all sizes, and take up less room! They are durable, water-resistant (obviously, they’re plastic), and lightweight. The only problem I found with these is that in order to be able to lock the box, you will have to drill holes in the lid. Otherwise, they are great for storing old junk and seasonal tack!

2) Hay Inhalers: If your horse has a bad habit of trying to inhale his hay without taking his time to chew, he could be at risk for choke and other intestinal problems. Solution: Try using hay nets instead of free-feeding hay. In severe cases, you may want to double the nets to make sure he really has to pick at the hay to eat it.

2) Hoof polish a little expensive? Try using baby oil or cooking oil instead. Only downside with this one, is they will attract dirt.

3) Baby wipes are almost invaluable. They can remove manure stains, urine, and dirt. Use them to “touch-up” your horse’s features, or for just plain ‘ole cleaning procedures.

4) Baby oil works great as a highlight for your horse’s facial features as well. With a little cotton, gently wipe around your horse’s eyes, ears, and nose to give that shiny appearance.

5) Got flies? Try rubbing your horse down with a fabric-softener dryer sheet. If you go riding, tuck one under your horses browband to keep the flies away.

6) For those that travel or show, dryer sheets are also great to tuck into duffel bags, clothes bags, or wherever, to help keep clothes smelling clean and fresh.

7) White or yellow? Hydrogen peroxide is used on a regular basis in vet clinics to remove blood, urine, and other stains from animal’s coats. If your horse has urine or manure stains, try using a little peroxide to lift the stains. Works on horse’s tails too!

8) If you are going to a show and your horse's tail is filthy, give it a good wash, then rub chalk into it to get rid of that yellow tint. ~ Submitted by Laura

2) Thrush: Thrush is a bacterial infection in the sulcus (the grooves on each side of the frog and one in the middle) of the hoof. If your horse gets thrush, it’s easily treatable. Mix 1 part Bleach to every 10 parts water. What does that mean? Whatever you decide to use to put bleach-water in, it should be 90% water, and 10% bleach. Example: A 1-gallon water jug will hold 32 cups of fluids. If you fill the jug with 25 cups of water, you should add 2 ˝ cups of bleach.

3) If your horse (or any animal) has a small spot that just wont stop bleeding, dab a little flour on the wound to help clot the blood. If you want to buy something over the counter, Quick-Stop is well used on many animal clinics to clot small amounts of blood, but flour works just as well and is relatively safe.