10 things horse owners buy at the supermarket – but not for the reasons non-horsey people do

You’re at the supermarket getting your weekly household essentials but, let’s be honest, how many items do you end up buying for your horse? While supermarkets aren’t exactly well known as being tack stores, they do stock items that can come in very handy at the yard. We’ve come up with 10 common purchases horse owners make during their weekly shop. How many can you relate to?

1. Potties – sorry pole raisers. You may get some funny looks as you pick up 12 potties for your gridwork lesson on Sunday, but at just £2 each you’ve grabbed yourself a real bargain!
2. Vaseline. While most people buy this product to nourish their skin, you’re thinking stud hole grease!
3. Cotton wool. We won’t go into the many uses cotton wool has around horses, but the likelihood is, you’re not buying it to take off your make-up.
4. Rubber gloves. There’s no way these rubber gloves are going anywhere near the washing-up bowl after you’ve worn them to muck out your horse’s stable!
5. Carrots and apples. No, you’re not about to impress guests with your Mary Berry carrot cake and apple pie recipes – they’re for your horse, of course.
6. Febreze. Looking for a way to freshen the inner lining of your riding hat? You’ve found the perfect product.
7. Sandwich bags. Most people in the supermarket are buying sandwich bags for their kids’ weekly lunches, but you like to make up a week’s worth of feeds for your beloved Boris at the weekend.
8. Hair gel and spray. While other shoppers may be looking at you in a ‘that’s a good idea’ kind of way as you pick up these items, there’s no need to tell them your horse is going to a show next week and his plaits need to be perfect!
9. Tights. And talking of plaiting, tights are the perfect thing to place over the top of your horse’s plaits to keep them neat and tidy on the way to a show. Simply secure each plait to the tights with a band and remove them just before your class.
10. Frozen peas. It’s always a good idea to keep a packet in the freezer just in case your horse gets a swelling that needs cold treatment. But make sure you put a note on the bag warning your family they’re not to be used for human consumption!