While a shiny coat begins with proper nutrition, expert horsemen do have some show grooming tips up their sleeves to give their horse's coat some extra shine on show days. Whether you are showing in halter or under saddle, your entrance into the arena is the moment that judge gives you his undivided attention to make his assessment. When you come into the ring, the first thing the judge will notice is your horse’s complete appearance and presentation. This is your chance to wow the judge.
Grooming for the show ring should begin long before show day. You should clip your horse the night before the show, that way, you have plenty of time, and if in the morning you find a spot you missed, it doesn’t take long to fix. Invest in quality horse grooming brushes and keep them clean. You can’t do a thorough job grooming your horse with dirty and dusty brushes.
Tips for 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 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 black and polish enhancer to really make them shine
Tips for a Shiny Coat
- When bathing your horse, be sure to rinse him until no shampoo suds run off with the water. Soap residue can lead to a dull 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.
Tips for Mane and Tail
- Your horse’s mane and tail should be clean before you go in the ring. The best way to do this is wash them the night before or that morning. While the mane and tail are wet, use a wide tooth comb to untangle any knots. If you are washing your horses tail at night, loosely braid and put it in a tail bag. The next morning take it out and comb through. You can also add a spray on conditioner for some extra shine.
Tips for Face and Ears
- Clip your horse's nose, ears, eyes, and bridle path the day before the show. It is the best to bathe your horse after you clip, that way you can rinse off any stray hairs or dirt that have been left behind. Then use baby oil on a cloth to add shine on his eyes, nose, and ears.
In addition to these tips,
Benefab and
Sore No-More are here to help with all your horse show needs. Sore No-More’s
Classic Ricochet Horse Spray has a pleasant citrus scent and is made with no harsh chemicals so it will not irritate your horse. It is a great full body horse conditioner – it adds a lustrous shine without leaving an oily residue behind. To help keep your horse clean between runs, try the
Therapeutic Mesh Sheet. It’s a breathable mesh sheet that stimulates blood circulation, which also helps reduce pain and is known to produce a relaxing effect. It’s great for use alone as a scrim or as a blanket liner. For best results on show day, combine
Ricochet and the
Therapeutic Mesh Sheet!
