Like it:
Short lead ropes: 4' cotton leads with a simple clip on the end. Cotton is less likely to burn your hands if pulled through, and a short rope is easy and therefore safer to manage. Harder to find these days, for some reason.
Tail detangler spray: my horse's tails don't get brushed regularly, but they are kept sprayed just in case they get caught, so they can pull free instead of tearing. I use the Cowboy Magic and Vetrolin brands because I love their fragrances. I buy the big jugs and refill the spray bottles.
Sticky cream: a little secret I tried after I was soaked in a downpour at a show and found I had a more secure contact with the saddle. Just a little dab on the inside of my boots makes a difference. I will also oil my gloves if they start to feel slick. I'm not looking for artificial grip, but sliding around is no good at all.
Alcohol-based leather cleaner & Lederbalsam: I've used just about every type & combination of leather care, but these are what I'm into right now. Apparently, the alcohol-based cleaner opens the leather pores so that the lederbalsam can penetrate and protect the leather, as opposed to glycerine cleaners which seal the pores. My tack is developing a lustrous texture with this regimen.
Blanket hanger: I found one second hand and we use it for everything, not just drying wet rain sheets, but for saddle pads, girth covers, leg wraps, towels & coolers. It's installed near the tack room heater and an overnight on the hanger will do the trick.
Calendar: hanging in the tack room with a pen so I can track rides, record a rehab regimen, deworming & farrier visits. I have tried to keep a riding journal, but find I am more faithful to the simple calendar, and it's a quick reference for myself and for chats with the vet.
Love it:
Liniments: I think I've tried them all. If you find something that you enjoy using, you will use it more. Some liniments smell wonderful, and some make my sore hands feel better, so I am more likely to give my horse's legs a rub after a workout.
Brushes: I love trying new brushes, or any grooming tool, and believe having a large collection, that I rotate through, keeps the horses cleaner. My favorites are a simple rubber curry, a leather-backed boar-bristle body brush that I scored in a remote, dusty tack shop, a soft horse-hair dandy brush, the stiff Beastie-brand brush that just won't wear out, and an old paddle brush of mine for manes. I have also learned to love the cheap plastic curry comb for breaking up sweat marks and mud.
Washing machine: last year we bought a second-hand large capacity heavy-duty washer and keep it under the stable's overhang. I hook it up to the hose in mild weather and keep everything that will fit in there clean.
Second-hand saddles: my main saddles are second-hand: an all-purpose Passier for jumping & trails and a Stubben Tristan Special for dressage. I can get a better second-hand saddle for the same price as a lower-quality brand new. Mine fit several horses, and fit me perfectly. Restoring an older saddle makes for a relaxing afternoon, to me.
Saddle pads: a weakness of mine, for sure, particularly if they have sheepskin. I love the texture and I love matching colors!
Towels: a couple of large cotton-blend house towels make their way out to the stable each year, to be used for drying after bathing, or cut up to be used for cleaning & drying absolutely everything around the stable and horses. Easy to toss into the wash.
Desitin: this particular diaper-rash ointment is expensive, but goes on sale at the local drug stores, and the large tub is economical. It keeps heels protected from the wet to prevent painful skin infections, and keeps white noses from sun-burning.
Baby wipes: the greatest solution for cleaning udders and under tails, which prevents tail rubbing. Going 'there' also checks a common hiding-place for tumours and skin problems. Disposable & hygienic.
Gloves: there's always a box of rubber ones for applying ointment etc. and for cleaning nether-regions. Leather ones for riding and working. My favorites are deerskin. I have lots of gloves.
Leather halters: classically stylish and safe, they simply break if a horse panics, and can usually be repaired.
My husband likes to say "If you want nice things, you have to keep things nice." And I like to say "It's easy to get something new, but cooler to wear something out, and to score a deal!"