#GoShopping: 4 Amazon Buys That Make an Equestrian’s Life A Little Easier

Here are four Amazon finds that every busy equestrian will appreciate — especially when your schedule and your budget are tight.

Note: This is not an Amazon- sponsored article (although maybe it should be?). This literally is just a list of things I use at home/around the barn that make my daily life as a rushed and constantly broke equestrian just a little bit easier.

Let me be clear. I 100% believe in shopping local and supporting small businesses. And when I can, I do. Nearly every single time. However, there are some products that my local small businesses do not carry/do not make sense to buy locally. These are the products I am focusing on for this article — the ones I feel absolutely zero guilt about purchasing on Amazon.

1. Magnetic Solar Wireless Cameras

A trailer camera system is an amazing tool for keeping horses safe and comfortable during transport. You can monitor your horses in real time from the driver’s seat and eliminate the guesswork regarding your horses’ well-being. It lets you respond quickly if a horse becomes restless, tangled, or distressed. You can check whether they’re standing squarely, eating hay, or showing signs of sweating or stress, without having to pull over unnecessarily. It not only improves safety for the horse, but also reduces travel anxiety for both horse and handler, ensuring a smoother, calmer trip from start to finish.

Plus, if you’re like me, you can glance back at your lovely beasts and feel quite smug about how well they’re traveling and how cute their big booties are (am I the only one who does this?).

Watching a new colt (and travel buddy!) through the camera in a straight load/ Photo by Cindy Newcomer.

But here’s the thing about a camera system: if your trailer didn’t come with one already hooked up, getting it hooked up can be a pain. Especially if you’re not totally comfortable running wiring and all the things. This is where the magnetic wireless cameras come in. Recommended to me by a friend, they are invaluable. I love them. They’re super easy to use, you don’t need your phone, and they require no hard-wiring whatsoever. Charge the camera, plug the monitor into the 12v plug in your truck, and put the camera in the trailer where you need it to be. Tada! You have a camera system.

These are the ones I purchased from Amazon. There is the option to get one camera or two. I went with two — mainly because I didn’t want to have to try to pair a second one if, at a later date, I changed my mind and wanted an extra camera. I’ve never used the solar capabilities, but the regular charge lasts a decent amount of time. For most of my hauling, a single charge has lasted for the trip out and back (as long as I remember to turn it off when I unload the horses). When I drove from Pittsburgh, PA to Shelbyville, TN, a single charge lasted all but the final hour of the trip. Not bad. I also use them when I am backing up to my GN. Sure, I can do it blind and feel really good about myself, or I can save time and just stick the camera on the cab of my truck. That’s what I opt to do.

Truly, I can’t recommend these enough.

2. Voltage Tester

I won’t lie, this might be one of the better $20 you can spend to make your life easier — and safer! — at the barn. Especially if you live in a region where you need to have water heaters for the colder months. This handy-dandy voltage tester can detect 50 – 1000V of AC power at the touch of a button. The gallery photos show it being used on outlets, which is great and all, but folks. YOU CAN USE THIS ON YOUR WATER TROUGHS!!!!

I’m not just talking on the tanks themselves — you can put the tip of the tester into the water and it will tell you if your electric current is going to shock your horses. That’s right. No more taking off your boot, standing on the ground on one foot, and putting your finger in the water to see if it shocks you. (Wait — you don’t do that? Huh.)

It also works great to test electric fencing (without having to put the grounding rod in the ground every time you want to stop to test it) and anything else you need to test for current. I had to replace the pressure switch for my well pump at one point, and that was no joke. The tester was a great way to make sure that I had, indeed, turned off the breaker and cut power to the appropriate wires before proceeding. This sucker is useful.

3. Portable Air Compressor

Whether you’re needing to get stuff done around the barn or hauling your horses from one event to the next, this portable air compressor is a must-have. Sure, it’s going to take a minute to fill up trailer tires, but it gets the job done. And around the barn, it’s super handy to have if you need to add some air to your wheelbarrow tires (raises hand), tractor tires, manure spreader tires, lawn mower tires, etc., etc.

I keep one of these in each of my vehicles just in case I need it, and it’s definitely come in handy when I haven’t necessarily expected it.

4. Hooks, Hooks, Hooks, and More Hooks

For real, though. You can never have enough hooks. Whether you’re looking to hang bridles, blankets, or extension cords, hooks are the way to go. They are great for organization and just about anything else.

For blankets and heavier items, go with these heavy duty hooks. But for bridles, halters, and lighter things, these smaller hooks do the job.

I also am a fan of magnetic hooks for in the trailer and at the barn. The smaller ones work great for hanging my keys when I’m at a show, earring holders, or curtains. They come in handy pretty much everywhere.

What are your go-to Amazon buys for the barn? Let us know!