Shop smarter with durable horse boots for schooling that balance protection, breathability, fit, and polished style for everyday rides.

Wondering what color looks good on grey horse coats? Find the most flattering shades for schooling, shows, and polished matchy rider looks.

Matching horse and rider outfits bring polish, comfort, and personality to every ride. Build a coordinated look that performs in and out of the ring.

The barn has always been more than a place to ride — it's a sanctuary for the mind. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, explore the profound connection between horses and psychological well-being, plus 5 actionable mindset shifts every rider can use to stay grounded, manage anxiety, and protect their joy.

As a horse owner, you recognize that rhythmic, heavy thud in the pasture: the constant stomping of a horse under siege by flies. While most riders prioritize a quality fly sheet, seasoned equestrians know that comprehensive fly protection for horses starts from the ground up. From a physiological perspective, constant stomping is more than an annoyance. It leads to chipped hoof walls, loose shoes, and unnecessary concussion on joints and ligaments. If you are looking to protect your horse’s soundness and sanity this season, a high-quality fly boot isn't an "extra"—it’s an essential. The Anatomy of a Superior Fly Boot for Horses Not all fly boots are created equal. When selecting protection for your horse’s legs, look for three non-negotiables: breathability, stay-up technology, and durability. Breathability: Heat trapped against the leg can cause skin irritation or "scratches." Our mesh design offerings ensure maximum airflow while keeping the smallest biting midges at bay. Stay-Up Technology: There is nothing more frustrating than a "sagging" boot that creates a trip hazard. The TailCinch Bye Bye Flyboots are engineered with structural integrity that maintains its shape through turnout and play. Ergonomic Fit: The Catty Cowgirl Fly Boot 4-Pack offers a contoured fit that covers the sensitive coronary band and pastern without restricting movement. Pressure-Free Fit (No Binding): Traditional fly boots often rely on tight, restrictive straps to stay in place, which can impede circulation or cause tendon pressure. Equestroom's offerings are all boots are designed with a non-binding structural core. This allows the boot to stay upright through its own vertical integrity rather than through excessive tension on the horse's legs—eliminating the risk of strap-related injuries and "binding" discomfort. Coordinated Look:  Of course being Equestroom, we love matching coordinated look!  All Fly Boots we offer can be coordinated with other fly protection gear in the store. The Holistic Defense Strategy: Don’t Leave the Job Half-Done With aggressive pests a holistic approach works the best. Applying fly boots to a horse without a mask or sheet is like locking the front door but leaving the windows wide open. To truly "Stop the Stomp" and keep your horse in peak condition, you need a coordinated defense system. A holistic approach ensures there are no gaps in coverage where pests can congregate. The Base (The Sheet): Protect the large muscle groups and sensitive barrel with a fly sheet with a removable neck cover like the adorable Yeehaw Howdy Premium Mesh Fly Sheet. The Shield (The Mask): Prevent eye infections and sun bleaching with a professional-grade mask like the Professional Fly Mask that comes on four colors for mixing and matching with your fly gear. The Foundation (The Boots): Seal the exit points. When you coordinate your gear, you aren't just buying products—you’re creating a "no-fly zone."  Boots like the TailCinch Fly Boots offer quality protection.   Equestroom Insight: A coordinated horse isn't just a style choice; it’s a sign of a well-managed program. Matching your gear ensures that every piece fits together seamlessly, eliminating the friction points that lead to gear failure or horse discomfort.  We are proud to bring you stylish and quality fly gear options you can easily mix and match for a coordinated look. Invest in Your Horse's Comfort Today Summer is short—don't spend it managing preventable injuries or stressed-out horses. By integrating fly boots into your daily turnout routine, you are investing in your horse's long-term soundness and immediate happiness. Shop the 2026 Fly Protection Collection and build your horse’s custom defense kit.

Blending Bodywork, Movement, and Wellness-Focused Gear for a Better Ride With Equine Body Worker Expert Kara O'Laughlin   As a professional equine bodyworker, Kara O'Laughlin—founder of @EquineBodyworkOnline and the information-rich site www.equinebodyworkonline.com—has the unique privilege of observing how riders prepare their horses across disciplines, barns, and breeds. From dressage to trail, Kara sees firsthand the care and attention riders give their horses in those crucial pre-ride moments. And while each rider has their own routine (yes, treat givers—she sees you when the girth goes on!), one thing is clear: most riders deeply care for their horses’ comfort and well-being. We’re thrilled to welcome Kara to the Equestroom community, where she’s sharing exclusive insights into how small, intentional changes in your pre-ride routine can make a big difference in your horse’s performance and long-term health. Whether you're schooling at home or heading into the show ring, her blend of bodywork, movement, and smart gear choices can help you and your horse feel more connected and ready. Let’s explore Kara’s top tips for preparing your horse, body, mind, and tack for your next ride. 1. Begin With Connection, Not Just Grooming One of the most common things I notice is how often riders rush through the first few minutes of greeting their horse. But those early moments of contact matter. They set the tone for communication and trust. Instead of diving straight into grooming, make sure to pause and connect first. Place a hand behind your horse’s poll or on their lower back and take a few slow, deep breaths. This quiet moment helps regulate both your nervous systems and initiates tension release in two of the most commonly tight areas in ridden horses. As you groom, don’t just use your brushes; use your hands to check for heat, asymmetry, or sensitivity. Grooming with awareness is your first opportunity to catch subtle signs of discomfort and prep the body for work. 2. Use Bodywork to Support Your Ride Before I tack up, I always spend a few minutes doing light bodywork to encourage circulation and soften any tension. One of my go-to techniques is the EBO 50, which involves making long, slow strokes along the back from withers to pelvis using the palm of your hand. I use light pressure—imagine your hand sinking into cookie dough—and aim for 50 strokes on each side, all while breathing deeply and rhythmically. Once I’m in the arena, I’ll hand walk along the rail, checking to see if my horse is happy to go forward and walking with even strides. It’s a gentle way to warm up the muscles before asking for more. My favorite dynamic pre-ride stretch is Shoulder Circles. This simple range-of-motion exercise helps activate the thoracic sling, softens the pectorals, and encourages body awareness.  To perform it: Pick up a front hoof as if you’re going to clean it Support both the hoof and carpal joint (often called the “knee”, but fun fact, your horse’s knee is actually their stifle) Gently guide the leg through a circular motion, only as wide as your horse’s comfort allows Repeat 10 circles on each side. Finally, I always include EBO Lines behind the poll— use your fingers to draw lines from the mane down toward the ground. This area often holds tension, and releasing it can impact the entire body. I spend 1–2 minutes on each side, using the same “cookie dough” pressure and rhythmic breathing. 3. Gear Can Support—or Restrict—Your Horse’s Movement One of the things my clients find most surprising is how much gear can impact the horse’s comfort and health. While saddle fit gets the most attention (and rightfully so), even seemingly minor items like pads, girths, and brushing boots can create irritation or restriction when poorly chosen or improperly fitted. Here are a few gear tips to keep in mind: Saddle pads and half pads should be breathable and moisture-wicking to prevent heat buildup and skin irritation. Girths should avoid pinching or restricting shoulder movement—an anatomical design is often best. Leg boots or wraps should fit snugly, not tightly. Too loose, and they rub. Too tight, and they risk impeding circulation or causing nerve pressure. High-quality gear matters—and brands like Equestroom strike the balance between function and style. Their thoughtfully designed pieces not only look sharp in the barn or arena, but also help your horse stay comfortable, focused, and ready to work. Conclusion: Invest in the Minutes Before You Ride Pre-ride prep gives you an opportunity to connect, assess, and support your horse’s wellness. When you combine a few minutes of bodywork with movement and well-designed gear, you set your horse up for long term health and comfort, as well as taking your relationship to a deeper level. And if you’re interested in taking your equine bodywork skills even further, and offering your horse entire muscle releases, check out our amazing online program for horse owners at  EquineBodyworkOnline.com. Meet the Expert: Kara O'Laughlin, Licensed Equine Massage Therapist With years of hands-on experience across disciplines and breeds, Kara O'Laughlin brings a deep understanding of equine anatomy, movement, and wellness to every session. As the creator of EquineBodyworkOnline.com, she offers riders and owners expert guidance on incorporating effective bodywork into their daily routines. In this article, Kara walks you through foundational massage techniques designed to prehab—not just rehab—your horse, keeping them comfortable, mobile, and ready to perform.  

Olympic Equestrian Horses Wearing Majorelle Blue Saddle Pad Set   At Equestroom, we understand the passion and dedication that goes into caring for your horse and celebrate you for your efforts to keep your horse in the utmost care. With the Olympic Games on the horizon, we have reviewed the history of equestrian sports in the Olympics and figured now is the perfect time to draw inspiration from the equestrian Olympians and their horses. In this article, we’ll explore how top riders treat their horses like champions, and how you can incorporate some of these practices into your own horse care routine. Nutrition: Fueling a Champion Olympic equestrians know that nutrition is key to maintaining their horses' peak performance. Riders like Charlotte Dujardin, who has won multiple gold medals in dressage, ensure their horses receive a balanced diet tailored to their specific needs. This often includes: High-Quality Forage: Top-quality hay or grass forms the foundation of a horse’s diet. Grains and Supplements: Carefully chosen to meet the energy demands and nutritional requirements of each horse. Hydration: Access to fresh, clean water at all times and electrolytes too. Example: Dujardin’s horse, Valegro, had a diet that included a mix of fiber, oil, and a small amount of grain, along with specific supplements to support joint health and muscle recovery. Tip for You: Consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to create a diet plan that suits your horse’s activity level and health needs. Wearing Dark Orchid Saddle Pad and Accessories Training and Exercise: Building Strength and Stamina Olympic horses undergo rigorous training to build their strength, stamina, and flexibility. Riders like Michael Jung, a German gold medalist in eventing, follow structured training schedules that balance work and rest. Varied Workouts: Combining dressage, jumping, and cross-country work to keep the horse engaged and physically fit. Consistent Routine: Maintaining a regular exercise schedule to build endurance and muscle. Rest Days: Allowing time for recovery to prevent injuries. Example: Jung’s horse, Sam, benefited from a training routine that included hill work to build strength, swimming for low-impact conditioning, and regular hacking to keep him mentally fresh. Tip for You: Develop a balanced exercise routine that includes a variety of activities, and always give your horse time to rest and recover. Grooming: Keeping Them Looking Their Best Grooming is not just about keeping a horse clean; it’s also a time to check for any health issues and to bond with your horse. Riders like Isabell Werth, the most decorated Olympic equestrian, spend considerable time grooming their horses. Daily Grooming: Brushing to remove dirt and stimulate blood flow. Hoof Care: Regular cleaning and checking for any signs of issues. Bathing and Conditioning: Keeping the coat shiny and healthy. Example: Werth’s horses receive daily grooming sessions that include brushing, mane and tail care, and hoof cleaning. She also uses specific conditioners to keep their coats gleaming. Tip for You: Make grooming a daily routine, and use this time to bond with your horse and check for any health concerns. Veterinary Care: Proactive Health Management Olympic horses receive top-notch veterinary care to ensure they are in the best possible health. This includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, and dental care. Regular Check-Ups: Routine veterinary visits to catch any potential issues early. Vaccinations and Worming: Keeping up-to-date with vaccinations and deworming schedules. Dental Care: Regular dental check-ups to ensure proper chewing and digestion. Example: Team USA’s horses have access to an on-site veterinary team during competitions, ensuring any health issues are promptly addressed. Tip for You: Schedule regular veterinary visits and follow a proactive health management plan for your horse. Wearing Ultraviolet Saddle Pad and Browband   Pampering and Spoiling: Because They Deserve It Olympians understand the importance of pampering their horses to keep them happy and relaxed. This can include: Massage Therapy: To relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation. Special Treats: Healthy treats like homemade treats, carrots or apples as rewards. Comfortable Gear: High-quality tack and accessories that fit well and keep the horse comfortable, like those offered at EQUESTROOM. Example: Dressage rider Steffen Peters ensures his horse, Ravel, receives regular massages and chiropractic adjustments. He also treats Ravel to his favorite snacks and ensures he has the most comfortable, custom-fitted tack. Tip for You: Treat your horse to a massage session or spoil them with some special treats. Ensure their tack and gear are comfortable and well-fitted. Wearing Royal Silver Saddle Pad and Browband Fashion and Style: Looking the Part Fashion and style are important in the equestrian world, especially at the Olympics. Riders ensure their horses look the part with high-quality, stylish gear. Matching Sets: Coordinated saddle pads, bandages, and fly veils. Bling and Personalization: Customized tack with bling or personalized embroidery. Example: Olympic rider Laura Graves is known for her stylish, matching sets for her horse, Verdades, often featuring custom embroidery and tasteful bling. Tip for You: At Equestroom, we offer a range of stylish, high-quality matchy saddle pad sets and other accessories to ensure your horse looks as good as they feel.     Conclusion Treating your horse like an Olympian involves a holistic approach to their care, combining proper nutrition, regular exercise, thorough grooming, proactive veterinary care, pampering, and stylish gear. By adopting some of these practices from Olympic equestrians, you can ensure your horse is happy, healthy, and ready to perform at their best. At Equestroom, we’re here to support you with high-quality, matchy saddle pad sets and other equestrian products that will make your horse feel like a champion. Visit equestroom.com to explore our range of products and elevate your horse’s care routine to Olympic standards.

Ensuring Optimal Health and Performance Proper hydration is crucial for your horse’s health, especially during periods of intense exercise and hot weather, like we are experiencing in the extremes lately in most parts of the world. Electrolytes for horses play a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and overall well-being. We touched on electrolytes in our top tips for Summer article but with the importance of electrolytes we wanted to create this comprehensive guide.  As you enjoy your Liquid I.V. or LMNT drink after a ride, don’t forget you can’t horse's needs too!  Which is why we’ll are going to explore everything you need to know about horse electrolytes—why they’re important, how to use them, and the best practices to keep your horse healthy and hydrated. Why Do Horses Need Electrolytes: Understanding the Role of Electrolytes in Equine Health Electrolytes are minerals that dissolve in body fluids and are essential for various bodily functions in all mammals including ourselves and our horses. The primary electrolytes for horses include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are crucial for: Maintaining Fluid Balance: Electrolytes help regulate the movement of fluids in and out of cells, which is vital for maintaining hydration and preventing dehydration and for cell health which we hear a lot about these days and is associated with so many other overall health conditions. Muscle Function: Electrolytes support proper muscle contraction and relaxation, which is essential for movement and performance. Wearing Moonstone Blue Saddle Pad Set   Nerve Function: They help transmit nerve impulses, allowing for coordinated muscle activity and reflexes.  Electrolytes can actually support your communication with your horse since our aids should result in nerve impulses.  With electrolytes, those nerve impulses resulting in coordinated reflexes are optimised vs a horse that is in need of electrolytes.   Acid-Base Balance: Electrolytes play a role in maintaining the pH balance in the horse’s body, which is crucial for metabolic processes. Horses lose electrolytes through sweat, urine, and feces, particularly during strenuous activity or in hot weather. Replenishing these lost minerals is essential to prevent imbalances that can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, and other health issues. HYDROpaste by Equidae The Best Electrolytes for Horses: Choosing the Right Electrolyte Supplements Selecting the best electrolyte for horses involves understanding their specific needs and the demands placed on our horses by their environment and activity level and of course each horse's specific desires.  Here are some factors to consider: Balanced Formulation: Look for supplements that provide a balanced blend of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. A well-balanced product supports overall electrolyte replenishment. Quality Ingredients: High-quality electrolytes are made from pure, bioavailable ingredients. Avoid products with unnecessary fillers or artificial additives or too much sugar! Palatability: Choose a supplement that your horse will eat willingly. Flavored options or those that can be mixed with feed or water can enhance acceptance provided flavors are natural. Convenience: Consider the form of the electrolyte supplement. Options include powders, pastes, and liquids. Choose one that fits easily into your routine and meets your horse’s preferences. Research-backed products like KER Restore®, which is formulated to match the electrolyte profile of horse sweat, or Apple-a-Day™, known for its palatability, are great choices for maintaining your horse's electrolyte balance. How to Feed Electrolytes to Your Horse: Practical Tips for Effective Electrolyte Supplementation Feeding electrolytes to your horse can be straightforward if done correctly. Here’s how to ensure effective and safe supplementation: Mix with Feed or Water: Electrolytes can be added to your horse’s regular feed or mixed into their water. Ensure that your horse drinks the entire solution to get the full dose. If adding to water, always provide a separate source of plain water as well. Use a Paste or Gel: For precise dosing, especially during events or travel, paste or gel forms can be administered directly into your horse’s mouth using a syringe. Offer Free-Choice Salt: Providing free-choice salt can help horses regulate their sodium intake naturally although not a specific electrolyte formulation this will help rehydrate cells. This can be a simple salt block or loose salt in their feed area. Monitor Consumption: Keep an eye on how much electrolyte solution your horse consumes. Over-supplementation can lead to imbalances, so adjust the dosage based on activity level and weather conditions. Wearing Pink Mist Saddle Pad Set Can You Give a Horse Too Much Electrolytes? Understanding the Risks of Over-Supplementation While electrolytes are crucial, it’s possible to give too much electrolytes to a horse, however, horses will normally regulate their own needs if provided a choice. Over-supplementation can lead to: Electrolyte Imbalance: Excessive electrolytes can disrupt the balance, causing symptoms like diarrhea, dehydration, or metabolic disturbances. Kidney Strain: High levels of certain minerals, like sodium, can strain the kidneys as they work to excrete the excess. Loss of Appetite: Some horses may refuse to eat or drink if the taste of their feed or water is altered too much by electrolytes. To prevent these issues, follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations and adjust based on your horse’s activity level and environmental factors. Consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice on electrolyte supplementation.   Frequently Asked Questions about Horse Electrolytes: Common Queries and Expert Answers Do horses need electrolytes all year round? Electrolytes are particularly important during hot weather and periods of intense exercise when sweating is increased. However, some level of supplementation may be beneficial year-round, especially for horses with high activity levels or those that sweat heavily. How often should I give my horse electrolytes? The frequency of electrolyte supplementation depends on your horse's activity level and environmental conditions. During intense exercise or hot weather, daily supplementation may be necessary. For less active horses or cooler conditions, you may supplement less frequently. Can I mix electrolytes with my horse’s water? Yes, you can mix electrolytes with your horse’s water. Ensure you also provide plain water to allow your horse to choose based on their needs. What are signs my horse needs more electrolytes? Signs that your horse might need more electrolytes include excessive sweating, lethargy, muscle cramps, and reduced performance. If you notice these symptoms, consider increasing their electrolyte intake and consult with your vet. Wearing Teal Saddle Pad Set   Conclusion: The Importance of Electrolytes for Horses Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining your horse’s health, performance, and comfort. By choosing the right supplements and administering them properly, you can ensure your horse stays hydrated and balanced, ready to perform at their best. Always monitor your horse's needs and consult with your veterinarian to tailor their electrolyte intake to their specific requirements. At Equestroom we often focus on the fun and stylish angle of riding with our matchy sets and stylish saddle pads, ear bonnets and boots but to get there we are more than well aware that your horse and you need to be healthy and electrolytes are one easy and often overlooked way to ensure your horse is functioning in optimum health!     References Kentucky Equine Research. (n.d.). Restore Electrolytes. Finish Line Horse Products. (n.d.). Apple-a-Day Electrolyte.

How To Keep Your Horse Healthy in Hot Weather The hottest days of the summer are around the corner! We all love summer because we have more time to ride and care for our horses on long summer days, but as horse lovers we need ensure our horses’ health is protected this season.  Just like us, horses are sensitive to rising temperatures, and without proper care, they can suffer from dehydration, lethargy, and general discomfort. In extreme cases, heat stress can lead to serious conditions such as diarrhea and colic. So, ensure your horse stays healthy and happy during these hot months with these top tips.     Top Tips For Summer Horse Care Hydration: For body maintenance, an average horse needs at least 5 gallons of water a day. This can easily double or triple when they’re working hard in hot weather, so make sure your horse is hydrated throughout summer. Keep several water sources available and refill the water buckets or troughs with fresh water regularly. Also, troughs may be more likely to harbor algae or the water can turn stagnant when it is warm, so clean the troughs and buckets more often than usual. If you are going out for a hack or trail ride, consider the water needs of your horse.  Shade: If the horse lives outdoors or if he has to be outside during the day time, provide shelter to relieve them from the hot sun. A run-in shed is the best option but trees can provide some cool shade in hot weather as well. Also, don’t forget that white/gray horses are more sensitive to the dangerous rays of the sun. Horses with pink around their muzzles or eyes can suffer from sunburn, so they need more attention in summer. Remember to apply sunscreen around their muzzle and consider using fly masks that also have light filter.  Fresh Air: When the heat is too high, horses need more fresh air than normal. The air in the barn must be in circulation during summer. You can use simple box fans to move the air and fill your barn with fresh air. Just pay attention to the horses’ safety when using the fans. Don't leave any loose cables around and keep the outlets safe.  Exercise at cooler times: Ride or exercise your horse during the cooler times of the day - such as early in the morning or late afternoon or even evening- and let your horse rest when the sun is high.  Minerals and Electrolytes: We have all seen the recent craze for Liquid IV or other such electrolyte support for humans.  Our needs and our horses needs for electrolytes are not new.  When we and our horses sweat more from work or hot temperatures they need more minerals and electrolytes to replace those lost in the process.  Don’t forget to provide your horse with some salt blocks in the paddock and in their stalls to keep their minerals, salt and electrolytes balanced and consider adding additional electrolyte  supplements.  Bugs: Mosquitos and flies are everywhere and they annoy horses during the summer season. To keep mosquitos away, remove any standing, stagnant water in your horse's stable or water trough which will prevent breeding. You can simply add some apple vinegar in to water to prevent mosquito breeding just ensure it does not prevent your horse from drinking. To keep the flies from bothering your horse, muck out regularly, and consider using a fly mask, fly hat or a fly sheet.  Tack safety: As horses sweat more while exercising during summer, you should ensure that you use high-quality saddle pads and leg protection boots or wraps to promote breathability and moisture wicking. Make sure the saddle pad you use is made of breathable materials and can absorb the sweat and move away from your horses body. Make sure to choose breathable material for boots as well to avoid overheating tendons and ligaments.  Use Cooling Techniques: After a ride, hose your horse down with cool water, focusing on large muscle groups and areas with major blood vessels like the neck and legs. Using a sweat scraper to remove excess water can help cool your horse cool off faster. Conclusion Summer can be an incredible time to share with your horse with longer days and good weather.  Follow these tips to maintain your horses optimum health on hot summer days and don't forget to watch for symptoms like excessive sweating, rapid breathing, and a high body temperature. If you notice these signs, cool your horse down immediately and provide plenty of water. CHECK OUT OUR UNIQUE SADDLE PAD SETS FOR THIS SUMMER