I'm sure I'll add to this list later and obviously the products that are mentioned are things that coincide with Calvin's level of training. Hence, this won't be a completely inclusive list, but it's what I'm using with Calvin at this time:
1. Nathe bit
This was such a painful purchase because there is not a cheaper generic brand that works as well (the herm sprenger duo is close, but shaped slightly differently). The black rubber mullen mouth I started with was just too big for Calvin who has a fat tongue and low palate commonly found with mustangs.
This bit is tapered to be thinner in the middle and is so, so soft. He is now super responsive and sensitive in the mouth, which is saying quite a bit because he's not a naturally sensitive horse. That being said, it may not work for horses that don't like tongue pressure of any kind.
2. Effax Lederbalsam (conditioner) & Ledercombi (cleaner)
This was one of the brands recommended to clean my specific saddle by the manufacturer, but I use it for all my tack now. The ledercombi is non-greasy and I like the little spout so I don't waste tons of it and it really cuts through the dirt and grime, which is great because I'm not the most diligent about cleaning my tack (bad!).
The conditioner though is what I'm really smitten with. When I first got my saddle, it was a stiff sucker that squeaked. I conditioned it with this and oh my gosh it made it so soft, slightly grippy, supple and the squeak disappeared. Same thing with my cheap dressage bridle, a few treatments with the conditioner and I had a noseband that actually bent! A little goes a long way and the smell you either love or hate (smells like a waxy honey to me, but some people hate it). Living in a dry climate, this stuff has been a life saver for my leather.
3. Mohair/Alpaca cinches & girths
Soft, low maintenance, long lasting, and good for sensitive horses. They're more common among the western crowd, but if you search you can find some for dressage & even h/j. The more you use them, the more horse hair they collect and the softer they become. Just make sure to get 100% mohair/alpaca and not a blend of synthetic which can cause irritation for some horses.
I use an alpaca cinch for Calvin because I found it on sale. I wasn't sure if it'd be as strong as mohair as alpaca is softer, but after a year of weekly use there still isn't any indication of wear. I'm just waiting for my cheap fleece dressage girth to finally give out so I have a reason to get a mohair dressage girth.
4. Rope Reins
I bought the extra long Yacht rope reins for trail and have zero regrets. Soft, low maintenance, and super long (12 feet!) for when I let Calvin graze and don't feel like getting pulled over his neck. Turtle clips make taking them off/on simple (especially for times when your horse is a brat and you need to have an impromptu lunge session...) I also use them for dressage since it's near impossible to find long dressage reins for whatever reason.
Calvin doesn't seem to mind the metal on metal noise of the turtle clips on the bit, but some horses might be sensitive to this in which case they are removable.
5. The Ultimate Hoof pick
You may be thinking "really, a hoof pick... and for $20?" Yes... this thing has changed my life. Calvin is a disgusting boy who doesn't seem to mind standing in his own poop/mud/you name it often leaving me a disgusting job. Yet all of that is no problem with this pick. Rocks, mud, etc. all come out with little effort and doesn't get all over my hands. The hoof pick itself is large and if you have small hands it might feel too big. If you know you have small hands, they sell a "junior" size that is probably a better fit for you.
6. Biothane tack
You can read about in-depth in this blog post--long story short: it works and it's easy.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
After a recommendation from my previous hoof trimmer to use No Thrush to treat mild thrush, I read the ingredients and noticed Diatomaceous Earth (DE) was listed. I had a huge bag of DE at home from trying to treat fleas/ticks the natural way on my pup (ticks it worked, for fleas it worked... to a point) and using it on my plants to keep ants/other bugs away. No Thrush wasn't cheap so I wondered if using DE alone would work on Calvin's mild thrush.
DE under a microscope: fossilized algae!
It did.Finally one shortcut that paid off--No more expensive thrush treatment as I can purchase a giant bag for $20! I apply it with a stiff brush all over the hoof and it does a great job of drying up any moisture. However, it does have to be applied to a dry hoof, so keep that in mind if you decide to try.
8. Renegade Hoof Boots
Last but not least, the Renegades. Due to Calvin living on soft footing and not in a rocky pasture, his feet have become wussy, so now I have to use boots when going over super rough terrain vs. when he's in the wild and living on the rocks.
I haven't used the Renegades to their full potential (ahem, a real endurance ride, but many others have with great success!), but we have hit some intense trails with zero problems. There was a bit of a learning curve on my end to find a way to fasten them to where they fit properly, but after that I haven't had any issues. Calvin didn't even notice boots on his feet, nor did he notice when one came off at a canter and was swinging around his ankles (see reference to user learning curve). Plus, I think they look so badass, I always get comments on them, and they come in all kinds of colors!
Love us some elevation
Super rocky? No problem for the Renegades!
So that's it for now! I will update this list as time and equipment gets updated, but those are my favorites so far!
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