26 Essential Items You Should Have in Your Tack Trunk

What’s in your tack trunk? With such a massive selection of horse tack to choose from in the market today, there can be an endless combination of items to place within your tack trunk. From contoured bridles to headgear, let’s take a look at a recommended list of items you should store within your tack trunk. Hint: How to avoid moldy tack?

Water bottle

Though not a necessary part of your riding gear it certainly doesn’t hurt to hydrate while you’re in the saddle! Carrying a water bottle with you is most certainly recommended.

Brush or comb

Grooming your horse increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. Plus, a grooming session can be therapeutic for both horse and rider.

Gloves

Gloves are always an excellent addition to your tack trunk It’s a good idea to have gloves for practice and a separate pair for competitions.

Mirror and Whiteboard Insert

Yes, I would not live without my mirror. I use it to make sure my hair stays inside my helmet.  My whiteboard is handly for my to do’s such as mucking my stall and cleaning my tack.

Extra hairnets

You never know when a hairnet will come in handy. In most cases, hairnets come two to a pack, so we recommend packing two separate packs to keep you covered. It’s also recommended to bring some hair ties as well.

Boot Polish

Nothing looks better in competition than a pair of polished boots. Boot polish should always have a welcome place in your tack trunk.

Fly veil

During the summer, horses are endlessly vexed by massive swarms of flies. Help your horse keep its sanity by packing along with a fly veil.

Horse treats and cookies

Your horse deserves to be rewarded when they follow your commands successfully. Pack along horse treats and cookies to reward your worthy steed when they accomplish tasks.

Sheet

Sometimes, it can get cold out in the stable. Horses are massive animals, but they’re susceptible to the ravages of a cold draft just like you and me. Use a sheet to keep them warm during cold nights. Sheets are especially useful in the winter.

Splint boots

Splint boots or brushing boots are vital for protecting your horse’s lower legs while you’re out running exercises. Splint boots are designed to lessen the impact if one leg strikes the opposite leg.

Halter

Halters are used by riders who are on the ground to lead and tie up their horse. Thus, they’re an absolutely vital part of your tack trunk.

Horse scrims

Once again, let’s focus on keeping your horse sane from the endless swarms of flies that pester them relentlessly during the summer. Horse scrim sheets fit over the body of your horse, thus creating a barrier and providing relief. The beauty of a horse scrim is they protect your horse both at the ring and in the stable.

Standing wraps

Standing wraps are designed to provide your horse with extra leg support. They’re also useful for promoting circulation to prevent the leg from filling with fluid.

Rubber boots

You’ll need watertight riding boots that will keep out the water and mud as you practice with your horse. Packing along a pair of rubber boots will keep your feet nice and dry.

Riding crop

Riding crops are a type of whip without a lash and they’re used to train your horse to obey your commands. They’re often used by riders to reprimand horses when they refuse to perform an action, such as jumping or sprinting. Riding crops supplement a rider’s natural aids such as their legs, seat, hands, and voice.

Spurs

Spurs are yet another tool to supplement the natural aids of the rider (voice, leg, seat, and hands). Spurs are used to direct a horse to move in either a forward or lateral direction while riding and are an essential part of any tack trunk.

Rain pants

Rain pants fit over your britches and boots, and they’re excellent at keeping you dry from the rain. If you throw in a rain jacket into the mix, you’ll have a full rain suit. Very handy during the rainy season.

Saddle

This one is obvious, but it should be mentioned none the less. Saddles allow a rider to sit comfortably on the back of a horse while riding. A vital part of any tack trunk.

Bridles

Bridles are used to guide a horse while you’re riding. Don’t leave home without it.

Reins

This is a long, narrow strap that is attached at one end of a horse’s bit. Reins are typically used in pairs to guide the horse in the direction you wish to go.

Helmet

Yet another obvious choice for your tack trunk loadout. Wearing a helmet will provide an added layer of protection should you receive any head trauma while riding. You can have a helmet for training and competitions.

Medication

Does your horse require any medication? A well-organized tack trunk is a place to put it.

Cleaning supplies

Always have cleaning supplies on hands such as towels, sponges, and cleaning solutions. There are far too many cleaning supplies to mention one by one, but it’s safe to say that packing along cleaning supplies will help greatly when you’re dumping dirty equipment into your tack trunk at the end of the day.

Saddle Pads

If your saddle isn’t comfortable enough on its own, saddle pads should certainly get the job done for you. You should have pads dedicated just for practice and pads for competitions and shows. Generally speaking, your show pads should show about an inch around the edge of the saddle. Also, it’s recommended that you stick to neutral colors when it comes to showing pads. Glitter and rhinestones can be distracting.

Earballs

Good ear balls should fit snugly into your horse’s ear canals allowing your horse to hear your commands while cutting out distracting and loud noises. Earballs should be an essential addition to your tack trunk.

Martingales

Martingales are a set of straps that prevent the horse from raising its head too high. It’s another essential part of your horse gear and highly recommended to keep in your tack trunk.
There you have it! We’re sure there are many more items you can place in your tack trunk, but each rider is different. It’s all about storing what you use on a regular basis. No matter what you place in your tack trunk, always take the safety and comfort of your horse into account. Ensure the tack fits properly and that your horse doesn’t show any signs of discomfort.
In Post Image credit: By Alf van Beem / Wikimedia Commons