what's in my grooming tote?

A couple weeks ago I wrote about my top 5 horse show essentials, and hinted that there would be another blog hop post forthcoming shortly in a similar vein. Well. Here ya go!

See, a little while ago, I  saw a post on Breeches and Boat Shoes about "What's in my grooming bag?" and wanted to play along.

the kit in its entirety

So, without further ado - ladies and gentlemen, may I present the contents of my grooming tote:

grooming tools

1. Liniment, detangler, and shine spray. I have a full-size shine spray too... tho that usually stays home. Also, depending on the season, add fly spray.
2. Rubber and plastic curry combs. I also have a jelly version as well (thanks Erin!) but that hasn't yet made it to the barn. Isabel personally prefers the hard plastic, but sometimes I think the rubber and jelly varieties can speed along shedding a bit better.
3. So many body brushes omg. They are sorted from stiffest to softest bristles, top to bottom. The top brush is exclusively for mane/tail, and the bottom red brush is for her face. The two in between are my general go-tos for the body, with the red/green (medium stiffness) getting the most use.
4. Mane / tail brush (typically only used in conjunction with detangler or conditioner).
5. Hoof picks. #canneverhavetoomany

odds and ends in constant rotation

1. Vet wrap, small sponge, and triple antibiotic ointment. Not exactly a full first aid kit, but these things come in handy pretttttty often.
2. Baby wipes. Never knew I needed them until I got them. Super convenient to have on hand!
3. Hole punch. It's unlikely you'll ever find me with a grooming kit unequipped with one of these bad boys. 
4. Random stuff - Herbal Horse Be Calm Lavender Balm, and a random velcro-on sheepskin cover that typically covers the curb chain on my mechanical hackamore. 
5. More random stuff - rubber bands (needs no explanation) and hand sanitizer.
6. Leather balm and a dedicated sponge. An embarrassing amount of my tack and gear gets it's last little face lift on the actual show grounds haha.

tools and gadgets etc

1. Extra leadline and double-sided clip. Both are highly HIGHLY convenient. 
2. Medical armband lives in my grooming kit and is therefore never forgotten. Plus a pen and a sharpie are nice to have on hand. 
3. Scissors (tagged with my initials - and note in the very top pic there are velcro straps - snipped from an old saddle pad - connecting the scissors to my tote. I clearly have trust issues when it comes to scissors at a barn!) and a mutli tool - this one specifically for use with horses!
4. Stock tie. Same idea as the armband - it'll never be forgotten if it lives here!
5. Liniment concentrate to be mixed into water buckets for sponging off.
6. Spurs, hair net, and nose shaver. These are very specifically useful on show days. 

outtake cattake

Obviously we also stay well stocked with cats.

tidily tucked away and covered up!

I found this heavy-duty tote and cover for sale at the consignment shop. Best $8 I've ever spent! Maryland Saddlery ftw!!

unwanted recent additions for the scratches... ugh....

These are not permanent residents of my grooming kit.... but given Isabel's ongoing scratches situation I'm stocked up. Ugh fml.

the ever-essential barn rats

And obviously no kit is fully complete without a couple young riders around to help out!!

So.... yea... that's my standard kit that goes most places with us. What's in your grooming tote?