Gear for horses, donkeys and mules
Care basics from university extension sources, plus research picks for fly control, tack, fencing, grooming and hoof care. Donkeys and mules get their own notes because they are not small horses.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. How we pick.
Pets this page covers
Horses
Our research covers fly control, blankets, tack, fencing, grooming and hoof care for horses and ponies. Blanketing, hoof trimming, fencing and water needs each have extension guidance below.
Donkeys and mules
Donkeys need few calories, and sugary feed raises obesity and laminitis risk, according to UF/IFAS Extension. Product coverage is thin: only the Absorbine fly spray names donkeys and mules on its listing, and the UF/IFAS document does not cover mules specifically.
What to look for
- Blanket only when needed. Penn State Extension says to blanket when there is no shelter and the temperature or wind chill is below 5 F, for horses at body condition score 3 or less, for very young or old horses, and for clipped horses. Rain matters more than snow, since 0.1 inch of rain can wipe out coat insulation. Source: Penn State Extension
- Blanket fit matters. Poor fit causes rubs and sores. Never blanket a wet horse, and remove the blanket and check the horse regularly. Source: Penn State Extension
- Most horses need hoof trimming every 6 to 12 weeks, since hoof growth is about 3/8 inch a month. No more than half the wall thickness should be removed when rasping. Source: New Mexico State University Guide B-707
- Fencing must be visible and tall. UGA Extension recommends perimeter fences at least 5 ft high, and wide tape or vinyl-coated strands to improve visibility on smooth-wire electric fence. Horses need about 700 volts or more to be controlled. It advises avoiding welded 2×4 inch wire fabric and rubber belting or tire strips. Source: UGA Extension bulletin B1192
- An idle 500 kg horse needs roughly 10 to 12 gallons of water a day, with a preferred drinking temperature of 45 to 65 F. Hard work or heat can roughly double the need. Check for frozen water daily in winter. Source: eXtension Horses
- Stall mats should be at least 3/4 inch thick, over concrete or 4 to 5 inches of compacted crushed stone, and you still need enough bedding to keep urine off the mat. This comes from a trade magazine quoting a Penn State professor, not an extension publication itself. It is why we flag the 12 mm mat below as a budget or secondary-floor option. Source: The Horse (quoting Penn State)
- Donkeys and mules are not small horses. UF/IFAS Extension says donkeys need few calories, sugary feed raises obesity and laminitis risk, hooves need trimming every 6 to 10 weeks, and their winter coat is thinner than a horse's, so wet, cold and windy weather calls for shelter. Source: UF/IFAS Extension VM279
- Vaccination decisions go through your vet. The AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart separates core vaccines, recommended for all equids, from risk-based vaccines. Source: AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart
Research picks
These are research picks drawn from published ratings and expert sources, not our own lab tests. Prices and ratings were seen on 2026-10-23 and can change.
Fly control Horses, donkeys, mules Research pick
Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide and Repellent, 32 fl oz refill
Horses, donkeys and mules in fly season. One of the few items here whose listing names donkeys and mules.
Water-based ready-to-use spray that the listing says kills and repels over 70 species of biting and nuisance flies, mosquitoes, ticks and gnats, with sunscreens and coat conditioners. Labeled for horses, donkeys, mules and dogs, and as a premise spray.
Skip it if: Homes with cats or rabbits near the sprayed animal (the page Q&A says not for cats or rabbits), and anyone who has not read the full label. The Chewy page showed no label text.
Price seen: $26.79 at Chewy (list $34.99; Autoship $25.45) | 4.7/5 from 305 ratings, 102 written reviews (Chewy)
See it at Chewy See the 128 oz refill at Chewy Affiliate links
Fly control Horses Research pick Limited reviews
Cashel Crusader Standard Fly Mask with Ears
Horses and ponies bothered by face flies or with sun-sensitive muzzles or eyes.
Plastic-coated mesh mask with covered ears, a hook-and-loop closure under the jaw and a poll hole for the forelock. The listing says it blocks up to 70% of UV and is cut not to impair vision. Also sold without ears and in an extended-nose style.
Skip it if: Horses that rub or tear masks when unsupervised, and any horse with an eye problem until a vet says a mask is fine.
Price seen: $34.99 at Schneiders; $31.99 at Chewy for the Pink Warmblood variant (list $32.99) | 4.8/5 at Schneiders and 4.8/5 from 35 ratings, 19 written reviews at Chewy. Review counts conflict between pages.
See it at Schneiders See it at Chewy Chewy link is an affiliate link
Blankets Horses Research pick Not yet rated
WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Classic Turnout Combo, 0g (no fill)
Horses that rub their manes and need a lightweight rain and wind layer in mild weather, and people who want to layer a liner.
Unlined-weight (0g) combo-neck turnout with a 600D ripstop shell, waterproof breathable membrane, taped seams, reflective accents, leg straps, tail flap and a smooth 210T lining. Sizes 60 to 84 inch. Works with the brand's liner system, with a 3-year warranty on the turnout range.
Skip it if: Cold-weather turnout on its own, since it has no insulation, and horses between sizes without a measuring tape. Penn State Extension notes poor fit causes rubs and sores.
Price seen: $124.99 at weatherbeeta.com | No rating shown on that page. We include it for the Penn State blanketing guidance above, not for reviews.
See it at WeatherBeeta Not an affiliate link
Tack Horses Research pick Limited reviews
Weaver Equine Adjustable Breakaway Halter (nylon, leather crown)
Turnout and everyday handling where a breakaway crown is wanted.
Nylon halter with brass hardware, rolled throat, box-stitched stress points and a leather breakaway crown with triple-ply nylon cheeks. The crown adjusts but the noseband does not.
Skip it if: Horses with small or narrow heads (one reviewer found the Average size too big for an Arab mare), and anyone who needs a halter that will not break under load.
Price seen: $41.99 at Chewy | 4.8/5 from 6 ratings, 4 written reviews (Chewy). Small sample.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Fencing Horses Research pick Limited reviews
Zareba Heavy-Duty Sure Shock 1 inch Polytape, 500 ft (HDT500W1-Z)
Visible electric fencing for horse paddocks and cross-fencing. UGA Extension recommends wide tape for visibility on smooth-wire electric fence.
1 inch electric tape with 8 aluminum strands in a PVC-coated fiberglass weave, lock-stitched edges, 675 lb tensile strength and a 5-year limited warranty. Meant for horses and other livestock.
Skip it if: Setups with no energizer and proper grounding, since tape alone does nothing, and permanent perimeter fence on its own.
Price seen: $78.99 sale, $96.99 regular, at zarebasystems.com | 5.0/5 from 1 review. Too few to rely on.
See it at Zareba Not an affiliate link
Housing Horses Research pick Limited reviews
US Rubber Recycling 12 mm Rubber Stall Mat
A budget stall, trailer or wash-bay floor where a thin mat is acceptable.
100% recycled rubber utility mat made in the USA, low VOC, no glue or anchors needed. Sold in 4×4 ft and 4×6 ft.
Skip it if: Main stall flooring if you follow the guidance above. The Horse, quoting Penn State, says use mats at least 3/4 inch thick, and 12 mm is about 0.47 inch.
Price seen: $109.99 at Tractor Supply (the page text named the 4×4 ft size; 4×6 pricing was not displayed) | 4.6/5 from 5 reviews (Tractor Supply). Small sample.
See it at Tractor Supply Not an affiliate link
Grooming Horses Research pick Limited reviews
Oster Clipmaster Variable Speed Horse Clippers
Body clipping and detail work on horses and cattle, and owners who clip horses for work each winter.
Variable speed (700 to 3,000 strokes per minute), shatter-proof housing about 30% lighter than the prior version, 15 ft cord. Kit includes case, top and bottom blades, brush, grease and spare intake screen.
Skip it if: Occasional trimmers who only need bridle paths or ears (a cordless trimmer is cheaper), and anyone who needs cordless, since this is corded. Clipped horses lose coat insulation and usually need blankets.
Price seen: $314.99 at Schneiders | 4.19/5 from 16 reviews (Schneiders). Review counts conflict between pages: the header showed 29.
See it at Schneiders Not an affiliate link
Hoof care Horses Research pick
EasyCare Easyboot Trail (hoof boot, sold singly)
Barefoot horses on rocky trails, and short-term protection after trimming or for sore soles.
Hoof boot made to go on and off quickly, opens wide for different hoof shapes, with a protective front shield, aggressive tread and replaceable rear strap. Aimed at casual riders; also usable as a therapy boot or for turnout.
Skip it if: Any horse that has not been measured for the right size (not covered on the page we read), and long fast work without a vet or trimmer's advice.
Price seen: $111.99 per boot at Tractor Supply | 4.0/5 from 46 reviews (Tractor Supply)
See it at Tractor Supply Not an affiliate link
Tack Horses Research pick Limited reviews
Professional's Choice SMB 3 Sports Medicine Boots, Value Pack (4 boots)
Riding horses in work that want soft tissue protection.
Four-boot set (front and hind pairs) with a limestone-based neoprene shell and cushioned lining, longer suspensory straps and Lycra binding. Does not absorb water, cut higher in front to work with bell boots, sizes S/M/L, 6-month guarantee.
Skip it if: Horses with a diagnosed leg injury (see a vet first), and anyone expecting a ready fit without checking the size chart.
Price seen: $169.99 at Schneiders (regular $199.99) | 4.5/5 (Schneiders). Review counts conflict between pages: 28 reviews near the title and 14 in the summary.
See it at Schneiders Not an affiliate link
Check current price and availability before you buy. Links go to retailers and brands, and none are affiliate links yet. We have not checked recall databases for every item, so look up recalls before you buy.
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