Show Prep for your Horse
Your first BIG Show!!
You are all ready to go to your first off property show! How exciting and sure to make you and your parent(s) a little nervous. No fear, we are here to help!
The thing you need to know is...
We have all been in your shoes. You may not know it ALL but your coaches and teammates will help you with your to do list and your responsibilities.
Let's get your horse ready. You will need bathing and grooming supplies. You will also need saddle cleaning supplies. You can certainly get everything you need at Woodland's tack shop. The sales folks know how to help folks new to showing. The short list is as follows:
shampoo and conditioner
bathing sponge
breakaway halter and lead rope
Quicksilver to get white really white
hard and soft brush
sweat scraper to remove excess water
Showsheen
leather cleaner/conditioner
hay-net
water bucket
After you have bathed, conditioned and removed the excess water from your horses body you will need to take him out to grass so he can dry. While he is drying you can brush him so that his coat falls nicely. Use your fingers to go through his mane, forelock and tail to remove any little tangles. Combs break hairs so use your fingers to work through the length of the hairs to preserve tail length. Have your coach check to see if his ears, muzzle and/or bridle path need a trim. We don't want a hair out of place. They will do this for you. Remember your pleases and thank yous!
Once he is dry, trimmed and looking gorgeous he will need to be put into a clean stall which means YOU get to clean it up for him. It's a labor of love and you will use one of our wheelbarrows and manure forks to get every dirty spot clean. Add fresh shavings as needed. When you put your horse into his stall it should not have any wet areas or manure in there. That will make your life easier in the morning, as you will discover :))
Make sure he has plenty of hay and a super-clean, full bucket of water. If you wouldn't drink it why should we ask our horse to?? Remember he will be working hard for you tomorrow and deserves your best efforts.
Now you need to clean your tack. This includes saddle and bridle. Make sure your saddle pad is spotless too.
One more thing...
Your horse will need a hay-net full of clean, fresh hay. If your horse doesn't eat hay just check with your coach to see what you need to bring for him. Hungry horses do not show well so your goal is to keep him happy and satisfied. Make sure you tag your hay-net with your name so it doesn't get mistaken for another horses hay-net.
Oh...and another thing...
Make sure when you go home to lay out all your show clothes and equipment so you won't worry about forgetting anything in the morning. Get a good nights sleep and eat a healthy dinner.
Ta-Da!!! Your Horse is ready!
Tonight you are tired but proud of doing a great job getting your horse or pony ready for the BIG Show. Tomorrow we will talk about getting YOU ready!!