Show Day Shine Grooming Tips

March 12, 2014 2 min read

Show Day Shine Grooming Tips By Emily Konkel With show season just around the corner, it is important to evaluate about our grooming techniques. The pre-show jitters can affect any competitor so having a prepared plan will only help you to relax knowing that your horse looks their very best in the ring. Keep in mind that a beautiful show day shine is not achieved at the show it is attained at home. At the show, we can only enhance it. Here are some tips to get the very best show day shine: - Mane and Tail – Your horse’s mane and tail should be clean and sawdust free before you go into the ring. The best way to do this is to wash your horse’s mane and tail thoroughly the night before or the morning of the show. While the mane and tail are wet, use a wide tooth comb to untangle any knots. Using a comb will help to prevent breakage. If you are washing your horse’s tail at night, loosely braid it and put it in a tail bag. The next morning, take the tail bag and braid out and comb through it with a wide tooth comb. You can also add a spray on conditioner for some extra shine before you go into the show ring. - Hair Coat – A beautiful hair coat starts at home. Good, solid nutrition and deworming will make for a healthy coat. At the show, make sure your horse is brushed thoroughly. You can also use show sheen to add a little extra shine. Before your class, run a towel or rag over your horse’s body to remove any dirt or sweat. - Face and Ears – Clip your horse’s nose, ears, eyes and bridle path on the day before the show. It is best to bathe your horse AFTER you clip, that way you can rinse off any stray hairs or dirt that have been left behind. The morning of your show, double check your horse to make sure you didn’t miss any long hairs. Then use baby oil on a cloth to add shine on his eyes, nose and ears. - Feet and Legs – Your horse’s legs should be clipped a few days before the show. This will allow any clipping irritation to heal – especially on white markings. White legs look the best if they are washed the morning of the show. For your horse’s hooves, use a sanding block on each hoof to create an even surface. Add some hoof black and a polish enhancer to really make them shine. For more tips visit: http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/grooming/ showringshine_042105/


Also in Blog

Edema in Horses: Causes + Treatment
Edema in Horses: Causes + Treatment

March 31, 2023 3 min read

Edema in horses is the accumulation of fluid somewhere in their bodies, most commonly in their legs (commonly known as “stocking up”) or in their lower abdomen. Edema is different than inflammation and, in rare cases, can become malignant and even fatal. Read on to learn about common forms of edema in horses and what you can do to help.
Natural Wound Care for Dogs with Essential Oils
Natural Wound Care for Dogs with Essential Oils

March 23, 2023 2 min read

Essential oils are an excellent natural home remedy for wounds or your dog’s irritated skin. However, not all essential oils are safe to use around or on dogs. Make sure you know what is helpful and harmful before using any essential oils on your dog.
What is a Normal Heart Rate for a Horse?
What is a Normal Heart Rate for a Horse?

March 16, 2023 2 min read

Hearts are an amazing thing in all animals. A constantly working muscle, the heart, pumps blood throughout the body to sustain life. The horse’s heart is a well-oiled machine—the heart’s efficiency results in a super athlete.