They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but it seems okay in the equestrian world to judge a horsey person by what you find in their tack box.
Chances are, if you’re friends with any fellow horse owners, you’re likely to have stumbled across each kind of kit box, from the modest to the lavish.
So what does your grooming kit say about you?
1. The hoarder
You don’t mind having a hoarder on your yard as if you’ve misplaced anything, you can rely on them to have something to see you along the way. However, you certainly want to avoid sharing a tack room or feed store with them. Their grooming box consists of more empty bottles than the local recycling bank and their saddle rack is piled high with overflowing numnahs, sweat rugs and manky leathers. She insists that she’s having a clear out next week, but as time goes on the mountain of stuff just keeps growing. She knows those 5ft stable rugs aren’t going to fit her 16.2hh Warmblood, but throwing them out seems so wasteful, so they are just put away until they come in useful in the distant future…
2. The minimalist
This individual has no time for fancy sprays, matching sets or unnecessary supplements. They are big advocates of less is more and in the case of a grooming box, this includes a brush, a curry comb, a hoof pick and perhaps a sponge. While fellow yard goers sometimes wonder if they’ve never been tempted by the offerings in the local tack shop, her horse certainly has no qualms over the lack of high brand products and the consequential ‘over-fussing’ that can come with the most-dedicated groomer.
3. The bargain hunter
This is a seriously savvy shopper, who can smell out a horse-scented discount from a mile away. Their grooming kit is littered with over-marked price stickers and their entire collection was either bought half price, from a local tack sale or out of a Facebook buy and sell group. They are the king or queen of bartering and they believe that second hand stuff isn’t used, but well-loved and therefore essential. But be warned, while you wish you had their knack for scouting out the cheapest imitation fly sprays or collecting feed balancer tokens, don’t bother asking if you can borrow anything as you will definitely be shot down. “Buy your own” is usually the answer.
4. The must-haver
This on-trend owner has all the new lotions and potions and the latest gadgets recommended by the top riders. They probably own three grooming kits; a box for at home essentials, a wicker basket for show day and another store with all emergency and pre-and post-competition stock. This person will have the latest coat shine sprays or anti-stain shampoos (no Fairy liquid here) before it’s even been released and they plan their competition season around which events have the best shopping.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
