8 DIY Horse Crafts for Equestrian Fun

You love horses. I love horses. But let’s be honest, our wallets don’t always love the equestrian lifestyle. Between board, vet bills, and yet another saddle pad you swore you didn’t need, the budget for actual fun stuff can get tight.

That’s where we get clever. I’ve rounded up eight DIY horse crafts that are perfect for when you’re stuck in the house or just need a creative outlet that doesn’t involve mucking stalls. These projects range from super simple (seriously, you probably have the stuff lying around) to slightly more involved. Grab some supplies, clear the kitchen table, and let’s make some horsey magic.

1. Repurposed Halter Nameplate

I don’t know about you, but my tack room is a black hole of nylon. Halters everywhere, and I can never find the right one. I got tired of playing “match the horse to the halter” every single day.

This is the easiest and most satisfying fix. Instead of buying expensive brass nameplates, grab some old halters that are frayed or broken. You know the ones—the catch is busted, but the rest is fine.

What you’ll need:

• Old, unusable halters (leather or nylon)
• A sturdy pair of scissors
• A permanent marker or paint pen
• Key rings or zip ties

Let’s make it:

1. Cut a section of the halter material about 4-5 inches long. Nylon is easier, but leather gives it a really classy look.
2. Using your marker, write your horse’s name clearly in the center. Make sure the lettering is big enough to read from a few feet away.
3. Use a key ring or a heavy-duty zip tie to attach this new nameplate to the throatlatch of the good halter you use daily.

Now, you can glance at the rack and instantly grab “Willow’s halter” instead of holding up five different ones. It costs nothing and saves you about ten minutes of frustration every day. Winning.

2. Easy DIY Treat Ball Feeder

Is your horse a boredom eater? Does he pace the fence line when he’s stuck in his stall? Mine does, and he drives me nuts. Instead of just throwing his hay in a corner, make him work for it a little. It mimics natural grazing and keeps him occupied.

I saw one of these in a fancy catalog for like forty bucks and laughed out loud. You can make one for free.

Grab these items:

• A clean, empty plastic milk jug or large soda bottle (2-liter or gallon size)
• A sharp knife or scissors
• A rope or hay string
• Some horse-safe treats or a few handfuls of grain

The process:

1. Wash the container thoroughly. You don’t want sticky soda residue attracting bees.
2. Using your knife, poke several holes around the container. They need to be big enough for the treats to fall out, but not so big that they all dump out in two seconds. Start small—you can always make them bigger.
3. Poke a hole in the screw-top lid and thread your rope through it. Tie a big knot on the inside so it doesn’t pull through.
4. Fill the jug with treats or grain, screw the lid on tight, and hang it in the stall at your horse’s head height.

He’ll push it around, and treats will tumble out. It’s basically a horse pinball machine. Just be prepared for the mess—he will absolutely spill some, but that’s part of the fun, right?

3. Halters to Rope Baskets: Tack Room Tidy

If you followed my first tip, you now have a pile of halter scraps. Don’t you dare throw them away! We’re going full recycling mode here. I hate wasting anything, especially when I can turn junk into something that actually looks decent.

This craft is great for holding grooming supplies, fly spray bottles, or even just your gloves and keys by the barn door. It’s a great way to add a rustic, equestrian vibe to your space.

Materials list:

• Old, cut-up halters (the more colorful, the cooler the basket looks)
• A needle and heavy-duty thread (or fishing line)
• Scissors

Steps to weave:

1. Cut the halter pieces into strips of equal length. About 12-15 inches is a good starting point.
2. Take three strips and braid them together. Tie a knot at each end to secure the braid. Do this until you have about 8-10 braids (depending on how big you want the basket).
3. Now for the tricky part: Coil one braid tightly to form the center of the basket base. Use your needle and thread to stitch the coil together as you go, securing the layers.
4. When the first braid runs out, stitch the end of a new braid onto the end of the old one and keep coiling and stitching. It’s like making a rope rug, but smaller.
5. Once the base is the size you want, start stacking the coils slightly on top of the previous row to build the walls of the basket.

It takes a bit of patience, but the result is a super sturdy, washable basket that looks way more expensive than it is. I have one sitting on my dresser holding my spurs and bits.

4. Custom Hoof Oil Applicator

Raise your hand if you hate bending over to paint on hoof oil. I can’t be the only one with a cranky back. The little sponge applicators that come in the bottle are useless, and the daubers always dry out.

So, I made my own. It’s the laziest DIY on this list, but sometimes the lazy solutions are the smartest.

Here’s what you need:

• An old telescopic car washing sponge mop (the kind with a long handle and a sponge on the end)
• A bucket of warm water
• Your horse’s favorite hoof oil

The “craft” (and I use that term loosely):

1. Make sure the mop head is clean. You don’t want old car grime on your horse’s hooves. Wash it thoroughly.
2. That’s it. Seriously. You just made a giant applicator.

Now, you can stand up straight, dip the sponge in the oil, and just boop the hoof. No bending, no squatting. My horse actually stands still for it now because I’m not awkwardly fumbling around his legs. FYI, if you use a separate bucket for the oil, you can leave the mop head soaking in it between uses. Genius, or lazy? I’ll let you decide. 😛

5. Easy Braided Tail Bag

If you’re trying to grow out a ratty tail or protect a show tail for the weekend, a tail bag is a lifesaver. But buying them gets expensive, and they always seem to get ripped off in the field anyway.

Making your own means you can have a dozen backups for the price of some fabric. Plus, you can match them to your stable colors or your horse’s blanket.

Supplies:

• An old t-shirt (the softer the better—fleece also works great)
• Scissors
• A ruler

The no-sew method:

1. Cut the sleeves and collar off the t-shirt so you have just the main tube of fabric.
2. Cut the bottom hem off so it’s open on both ends.
3. Now, cut vertical slits about an inch apart up from the bottom edge, going about 6-8 inches high. You’re creating fringe.
4. Braid or twist each of these fringe strips. This prevents the fabric from fraying too much and adds a little weight.
5. Gather your horse’s tail, pull the tube of fabric up over it, and tie the solid top part around the tail bone (the dock) with a piece of string or a hair tie.
6. Then, you can braid the tail hair with the fabric fringe or just let it all hang loose inside the bag.

It protects the tail hair from rubbing and breaking off. IMO, it’s the best way to get a tail that actually reaches the ground.

6. Rustic Wooden Stirrup Picture Frames

Have you got a pair of old, rusty stirrups that are too bent to ride in but you just can’t throw away? Me neither—oh wait, yes I do. They’re cluttering up the garage. Let’s turn them into art.

These make amazing gifts for your barn friends or a cool addition to your own living room. It’s a great way to display photos of your favorite rides.

Grab these:

• One or two old metal stirrups
• A small wooden picture frame (square works best)
• Strong adhesive (E6000 or a construction adhesive)
• Sandpaper (if you want to clean the rust a bit)
• A photo of your horse (obviously)

Assemble it:

1. If you want, give the stirrups a quick sand to knock off any loose rust. I like the weathered look, so I usually leave them alone.
2. Lay the stirrup flat on the table. Decide which way you want the frame to sit. Usually, putting it in the center of the stirrup’s “floor” looks best.
3. Apply a generous amount of adhesive to the back of the picture frame and press it firmly onto the stirrup.
4. Let it dry overnight. Don’t rush this, or you’ll find the frame on the floor in the morning.
5. Slip your photo in, and either hang it on the wall or prop it on a shelf. You can also lean two stirrups together with frames in each for a cool, layered look.

7. DIY Horse Treats (The Healthy Kind)

Store-bought treats are full of sugar and weird preservatives. I like to know exactly what my guy is eating, especially since he acts like a puppy and deserves the good stuff. These are less of a “craft” and more of a “baking project,” but you craft with flour, right?

Plus, the smell of these baking is way better than any candle you can buy. Your whole kitchen will smell like a horsey bakery.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rolled oats
• 1 cup of flour (whole wheat is healthier)
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrots or apples
• 1/2 cup of molasses (or water, if you want less sugar)
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed (optional, good for coats)
• 1/4 cup of peppermint leaves (crushed) for flavor—horses love mint!

Bake ’em up:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Add the molasses and shredded carrots. Mix until it forms a stiff dough. If it’s too dry, add a splash of water.
4. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Use cookie cutters! I use a horse-shaped one, obviously, but stars or hearts work too.
6. Place them on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes, until they’re hard.
7. Let them cool completely before feeding them to your horse.

They’ll keep in an airtight container for a couple of weeks. If they last that long.

8. Horse Hair Memory Bracelet

Okay, this one is a little sentimental. If you’re like me, you save tail and mane hair from your special horses. I have a ziplock bag full of hair from horses I don’t even own anymore. It just sits there. Why not wear it?

This is a simple weaving technique that creates a really durable, waterproof bracelet. It’s a perfect way to keep your horse with you, whether you’re at the barn or at work.

You will need:

• A lock of horse hair (about 10-15 strands, roughly 10 inches long)
• Embroidery floss in a color that matches or complements the hair
• A clipboard or tape to hold your work
• Scissors
• A button or clasp

Weaving steps:

1. Tape the ends of the hair and the embroidery floss together to a table or clip them to a clipboard. You want them hanging down.
2. Separate the hair into three small, even strands. You’ll be braiding the hair with the floss.
3. Here’s the trick: Take one strand of hair and one strand of floss, and hold them together as if they were one piece. Do the same for the other two. So you have three “combined” strands.
4. Braid these three combined strands tightly, just like you would a normal braid. Keep the tension even.
5. When you get to the end, tie a tight overhand knot.
6. Sew a button on one end and create a loop on the other, or just tie it around your wrist with a simple knot.

It’s subtle. Most people just think it’s a cool, textured bracelet. But you know it’s your best friend’s hair wrapped around your wrist. 🙂

So there you have it—eight ways to get your craft on without breaking the bank. Whether you’re weaving halters or baking cookies, these projects are a fun way to show your horse some love.

Got a favorite DIY disaster or success story? I’d love to hear about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a milk jug and a grumpy gelding who needs entertaining.