- Remove slinky & sheet
- Brush off Neck, body & legs
- Wash any dirty spots & clean under the tail
- Remove braid & brush out tail, Mane & forelock
- Clean hooves (& add Hoof polish)
- Clean face (nostrils, eyes, ears & add sheen)
- Add sheen to mane, body & tail
- Put on show halter/Saddle up
Show mornings usually dawn bright and early, and your pre-show preparation the day before will lessen your panicky rush. I prefer to wear clothes other than my show clothes or coveralls to put the finishing touches on my horse before the show. Once you have unloaded your horse, remove the sheet and slinky and “survey the damage”. Begin by brushing off the neck, body and legs of any dust or debris that may have accumulated overnight. Pay attention to any areas that may require a little extra attention; white/light colored tails, legs and spots may get stains overnight. Under and around the tail and the belly are prone spots for dirt and manure. If your horse has gotten a stain, you can spot wash the area with soap and water, or use a spot remover to clean the area as best as possible. Take the braid (and Dock wrapping) out of the tail and brush it out, and fix any of your mane bands that may have moved or come out. You may want to add a product to make the mane and tail shine. If your horse has a very long tail that drags on the ground, you can tie it in a knot to keep it out of the dirt. Clean out your horses’ hooves and if you prefer, add a hoof polish. For hooves that are dark or black, you will want to use a black or brown polish. For light colored hooves, use a clear polish. Be careful to avoid painting the hair and leg, and allow the polish to dry for a few minutes before moving your horse to avoid your horse from hitting themselves and getting the polish on other legs. Be aware that hoof polish dries out the hoof and makes it prone to splitting and cracking, so if you use the polish frequently, it is suggested that you use a hoof conditioner to help it retain some of the moisture and condition. Another option is to use a water-based hoof polish that won’t dry out the hoof. Make sure to clean your horses’ face thoroughly. Remove any “gunk” in their eyes, nose or around their mouth. You can add a sheen product to you horse by applying it first to a cloth and then wiping it on your horses’ face. A nice added touch is to brighten the look of your horses’ eyes and nose; baby oil or a baby oil gel are perfect products that are not harmful to your horse while really making their features “pop”. Add a shine to your horses’ coat to help attract the judges’ attention and make your horse look its best. Apply the product all over your horses’ neck, body and legs and rub it in to really make it shine, using a cloth. A great product to use is a sheepskin car drying cloth because it is soft and really helps brings out the shine in your horses’ coat. Be careful not to over use this product as they are usually quite slippery, and if you are saddling immediately, you will want to avoid putting any over the Back of your horse where your saddle sits. If the flies and bugs are really bad, you may also want to spray your horse with a fly spray to help keep the flies away and help your horse to concentrate on you and your cues in the show ring. Suggested Products: Absorbine Show Clean, Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover, Absorbine Show Sheen, Absorbine Miracle Groom, Absorbine Supershine Black/Clear, Fiebing’s Water Based Hoof-Polish, Fiebing’s Hoof Lotion, Farnam Rain Maker Hoof Moisturizer and Conditioner, Vita-Hoof Conditioner and Dressing, Absorbine Ultrashield, Nature’s Defense Water Based Spray Now you are ready to put on your show clothes and show halter or saddle up to ride. You have put your best hoof (or foot) forward for you and your horse to “wow” the judge. And always remember . . . smile; you love your horse and the two of you look fantastic!
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