We’ve all been there.
Heart racing. Pulse through the roof. Sweat starts to appear in places it definitely shouldn’t.
And then it hits you. You forgot to put something in your ring bag!
Every groom knows the feeling. The moment you realize you’ve left something behind in the stables, the walk back suddenly feels twice as long, the class seems to fly by, and your rider’s turn comes around much sooner than expected.
So how do we avoid this? How do we make sure it doesn’t happen again?
Lists for Everything
In theory, you might think you will remember everything you have to put in your ring bag. In reality… not so much. And honestly, why would you make life harder than it already is? I’m a professional at forgetting things, so lists have always been my survival tool as a groom. Packing lists, tour lists, travel lists, and of course, the ring bag list.
It did take me a while to figure out what actually needs to go in the ring bag. Let’s be honest, that list can get very long very fast. Before you know it, you’re carrying around a bag that weighs almost as much as your horse, while your back is quietly questioning all of your life choices.
Speaking from experience and as someone who has learned the hard way, that is not a mistake I’m interested in repeating.
So what are the true essentials? What absolutely has to be in the ring bag, and why? Together with Alison Demian, a young groom already making her mark in the sport, we narrowed it down to what actually matters.
Let’s break it down.
What’s In My Bag?
- Whip
- Curb chain
- Lead rope
- Brush for hooves, stirrups, and riding boots
- Electrical or hoof tape
- Hole punch
- Boot polish with a sponge or a brush
- Scissors
- Comb
- Hoof pick
- Hair ties or a hair net
- Hoof oil
- Alu-med or silver spray
- Extra flash
- Extra safety pins
- Extra numbers
- Black Sharpie
- Earplugs
- Extra braiding bands
- Small bottle of fly spray
- Bit tape
- Towel
- Vet wrap
- Hind boots
If you compete on grass:
- Stud kit including wrench, tee tap, stud hole cleaner, and extra studs
- Rubber racing boots or bell boots
Many of these choices come from conversations with Alison Demian, whose fresh perspective and hands-on approach as a groom brought valuable insight into what truly gets used at the ring.
So Why Are All These Things Actually so Important?
The brush is there to help your rider look and feel good. Brushing off the stirrups and underneath the riding boots helps keep the feet steady, and, together with a bit of boot polish, it also makes everything look sharp and professional.
Scissors, bit tape, vet wrap, bit chain, ear plugs, hole punch, tape, flash, safety pins, and numbers are all there for one simple reason. Something will eventually go wrong. A strap breaks, something falls off, the horse starts to rub, or the rider suddenly wants the martingale tighter, or the nose band loosened. When that moment comes, you want to be the groom who can fix it immediately, not the one sprinting back to the stable in full panic mode.
Braiding Bands Are Lifesavers
The towel is something I have never gone to the ring without. Ever. That and treats sit right at the top of my priority list, and more than once, I have made it through the warm-up with just those two things. Braiding bands are lifesavers if a braid suddenly decides to betray you, but they are also perfect for tucking away loose parts on the bridle or martingale.
A Small First Aid Kit
A small first aid kit is another non-negotiable. We all know how easily horses manage to injure themselves. Having vet wrap and a good wound spray like Silver Spray or Alu-med can make a big difference if something happens. Stewards also tend to respect you more when they see you already taking responsibility for your horse’s safety and well-being right by the ring.
Bringing All the Hind Boots
When it comes to hind boots, this really depends on your rider. Some want every single boot they own at the ring, while others are refreshingly simple and know exactly which ones they will use for that class. All you can really do is hope your rider does not insist on bringing them all. It makes it nearly impossible to find anything else in the bag and puts even more strain on backs that already do enough heavy lifting.
On grass, the ring bag suddenly becomes heavier but also more important. Some grooms stud the horse in the stable, others do it by the warm-up. Either way, the stud kit needs to be in the bag. Extra studs can be absolute lifesavers, and having the right tools with you just makes everything and everyone feel calmer. Knowing you are prepared for whatever might happen changes the whole atmosphere.
An extra pair of rubber racing boots or bell boots, depending on what your horse usually wears, can also save the day if something breaks, falls off, or if your horse suddenly decides that today is the day to step on themselves.
I know plenty of grooms who carry much more in their ring bags, and others who carry much less. Some do not even bring a bag. So this is by no means a rule book. But it does calm your nerves, and it will definitely make your rider appreciate knowing they can trust you to handle whatever situation comes up.
We would love to know what’s in your ring bag! Let us know inside the HorseGrooms Community. It’s free to join. Join here: community.horsegrooms.com
Lead photo courtesy of Digishots
