Tack Box Essentials

My first hoof abscess was quite unexpected, as they usually are. Having had no experience and a vet who never offered any advice unless asked…and how can one ask if one doesn’t know what to ask, I asked the person who ran the boarding facility where we were boarding at the time what to do. She gave me a shopping list and sent me off to the nearest drug store to pick up a plastic container for soaking the hoof, Epson salts, Betadine, sugar, duct tape and baby diapers. I arrived at the drug store and gathered my items in my cart but was stumped when it came to choosing which diapers to use. I chose the package of what I thought might work, but thought perhaps the pharmacist might have an idea as to how large each diaper would be. I hoped to get two uses from each diaper. I will never forget her look of horror when I asked her if she knew the approximate size of the diapers for which she asked “How big is your baby” and I replied “Oh, about 1200 lbs”. Thankfully it was not as embarrassing as the time I asked another pharmacist if he had K-Y Jelly while holding the bag of rubber gloves in one hand and the Vaseline in the other. He took me to the aisle and showed me the K-Y liquid with tingling sensation and I politely told him I didn’t think my boy would appreciate the tingling sensation and that I might be kicked into the next province.

I have since learned to keep myself well stocked in the essentials so that these embarrassing moments are less likely to occur again. Presented below is a list of items which are absolutely useful and for the most part, quite inexpensive too.

First Aid and Pharmaceuticals

1. Baby Diapers
   Really any size will do. The larger the better as you can cut them to size and use them as padding for under leg wraps and bandages. Flatten them down well and wrap them around your horse’s leg. The adhesive tapes will hold it in place long enough for you to wrap your bandages or wraps. Use smaller sizes or smaller cut pieces to hold hoof poultices in place and duct tape them to the hoof. Always have a couple of packages on hand. Diapers can be used for human first aid also.
    
2. Sugar and Betadine
   Betadine on its own is great for cleaning wounds. It is a povidone-iodine, an antiseptic microbicide that can be used for wound cleaning. If you buy it at a drug store, you will get 10% strength, which is equal to 1% available iodine. If you buy veterinary Betadine, it will be 5% povidone-iodine. Either is effective. The veterinary Betadine is often cheaper. When you add the Betadine to sugar it creates a paste called Sugerdine and is one of the best poultices for hoof abscesses you can use.
    
3. Vaseline
   I have always hated removing my horses’ chestnuts. A friend of mine told me about the Vaseline solution. Rub a generous amount of Vaseline on your horse’s chestnuts and the following day they will nearly fall off in your hand.
    
4. K-Y Jelly
   Yes the jelly, not the liquid or the gel and certainly not the one with the tingling sensation! KY is water based and is cheaper than Excalibur Sheath Cleaner and if it doesn’t all get rinsed out, there are no worries.
    
5. Wonder Dust
   I use this on all cuts and scrapes that have broken the skin. It is wonderful and works beautifully.
    
6. Bacon Grease
   This must of course be refrigerated. I have never used this myself, but this is an old cowboy remedy and is used on wounds that will not heal by any other treatment. I do have a small container in my refrigerator just in case it may be needed.
    
7. Antibacterial Wipes
   These come in handy dispensers and are used constantly for wiping hands, face, and anything in my box that may need a quick clean.
    
8. Lemon Lysol
   Lemon Lysol mixed 1 part Lysol to 2 parts water is inexpensive and effective for eliminating thrush.
    
9. Syringes
   Keep several syringes of varying sizes on hand. These can be used to administer medication, clean wounds, or apply any liquid pharmaceutical.
    
10. Duct Tape
    Tape bandages, poultices, notes on your box or stall door. You can mend a broken fence, winter blanket and other tack items in a pinch. You can even use the different colour tapes to colour code items in the barn. Stripes can be added to jump poles and standards and in a real pinch you can wrap it around your hand and use it as a lint remover at shows. There are many quick fixes that can be accomplished with Duct Tape. A quality brand is recommended for best performance.
    
     
11. Small Plastic containers with snap on lids & labels
    Ask your pharmacist for some empty pill bottles with snap on lids. Some charge a small fee for them but most just give them away. These are perfect for supplements. They keep out moisture and the contents readily identifiable through the clear container. 
     
12. Towels and Face Cloths
     
13. A small, square Plastic Tub
    Find these economical tubs in the cleaning section of a hardware store. You never know when you may need to soak a foot/hoof. I also keep handy a couple of large aluminium roasting pans in case my tub breaks. These are a very inexpensive and if need be, disposable.
     
14. A good-quality First Aid Kit
    The kind for you, the person, ever so mindful of your horse all the time. We all get our bumps and scrapes at the barn.

Tack Trunk

1. Baling Twine
   There are many quick fixes made possible because of baling twine. Always keep some in your pocket or tied to your saddle. You can fix broken stirrup leathers, halters, girths or bridles. If you are gifted you can even braid or macramé the twine to make halters, leads, standing or running martingales or longe lines. You can make a quick cross tie by making a loop through an eye screw on the wall and attach the cross tie to the twine loop.
    
2. Leather Wipes
   These come in a dispenser and are quick and easy to use after every ride. They can be found in most grocery stores and even in dollar stores.
    
3. Black and Red Permanent Markers
   Keep one in your box for making notes and labelling items. Coupled with your duct tape this combo makes great temporary labels and can be rather durable if need be. Keep one in your grooming box for shows. If you miss a spot while polishing hooves, a black marker is a quick touch up for black hooves.
    
4. Note Pad & Pen/Pencil
   A great tool to help you remember all the things that shouldn't be forgot. You can also track any treatments you are administering. Remember to keep that pencil sharp.
    
5. Eye Screws, Eye Bolts, Tarp Hooks and Double Sided Clips
   These will come in handy at some point so be prepared.
    
6. Hoof Multi-Tool
   For anyone who uses studs for traction, this is a great little must have. It contains a knife for various trimming jobs, a wrench in four sizes for tightening and loosening studs, a hoof pick for cleaning hooves and removing debris from stud holes, a cleaning tool and a 3/8” tap for tapping stud holes into shoes. All in one little tool!

I am sure there are many other items that I have just not found a use for yet, however I keep my eyes open and keep my essentials stocked. Horses have a tendency to always surprise us and keep us on our toes, so staying one step ahead of the game is one more skill we add to our repertoire as horse people.