Fitness and a bit of Umph!

[shandy84]

I have recently started working Bramble she is doing very well but seems to be lacking energy reserves on her fibre only diet, what could I give her to maintain her energy levels a bit better?

Also we have our first show booked now, for the 15th of May and I really want to fitten her up a little under saddle and in hand as she will need to look in very good condition (not fat just toned) for the show any ideas?

I am also going to start tidying them up for the show, can I ask what people normally do in regards to preparing for an in hand show in the week leading up to it and how much extra time would you leave yourselves to get there etc for a first ever show?

[eventerbabe]

when showing bonnie, we generally practise walking and trotting inhand for a few weeks before hand, both in straight lines and on a circle. she is also bathed about 2 weeks before a show to get rid of the majority of the mud she likes to accumilate, then the day before. thats generally when i brush out her mane and tail properly aswell and apply a long lasting conditioner. also do a bit of tidying up, like ending her straggly mane.

as for how much time to allow yourself, well, my mum always had to be there early so she didn't have to do too much reversing with a trailer on the car!! i like to be there an hour early, maybe an hour and a half, so i can go get my number, get the finishing touched done and take bonnie for a walk round. i'm a bit of a stress-head at shows so need some time for relaxation techniques aswell!!

heres bonnie at a local show a few years ago
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/eventerbabe/scan0001.jpg

regarding feed, maybe something like a cool mix or balancer?? i put toby onto calm and condition when we were doing a lot of fitness work and showjumping to maintain his weight and energy levels

[Tanith]

There was an article in the November issue of HORSE magazine that I found very interesting - you can access a pdf via Dengie's website:

"Can your Horse Compete on Fibre Alone?" (http://www.dengie.com)

Have also been looking at their Alfalfa based Fibremix range:

Dengie Fibremix Easy (http://www.dengie.com/fibremix_easy.htm)

Could be worth giving their feedline a try too - 0845 345 5115.

Tanith

[Yann]

With regard to the feed you can up the quality, ie feed Alpha A rather than Hifi Lite for example, or feed a small amount of mix, I use Spillers Cool Mix. We found doing so made all the difference when we were fittening Rio up, even though she was a fattie at the time.

[Bebe]

What are you feeding her now? Fibre only could be anything from Hi-Fi lite to pure alfalfa hay which covers a range of energy contents.

Bebe has been positively bursting out of her skin since being put on Alfalfa pellets (Dengie). It has the same energy content as most pasture mixes without all the extra junk feed manufacturers chuck in.

[Jessey]

I would also look at alfa, possibly alfa with oil added if you need a little more than just plain, gives the nec energy in an easily digestable way and shouldn't give any fizzyness.
When I prep for shows I would bath 2 weeks before (if I can) and the again a day or two before. In the week leading up (be it first show or 100th) I check all my gear, write a list of what I may need and pack as much as possible (all the stuff I won't need between now and then) into my gear bag so its ready on the big day.
When I give the last bath before the show I will comb out and condition mane and tail and once its dry plait it all (tail from below the dock and mane in straight plaits, but I aim for a wavy mane and tail so if you dont want this dont plait) tidy up the bridle path, chin hair, legs etc etc, a good dose of 'coat shine' or something the like will help keep stains out of the coat until D-day (but don't put it under your saddle area).
We normally truck out on Friday night after work so I do most of my prep on the previous weekend which I leave about 2-3 hours for and final horse prep and packing on thursday evening which I allow about 3-4 hours for, this way on Friday it takes me about 15-20 minutes from when I arrive at the yard to when we pull out with the horse on board.

J

[Mehitabel]

how far away is the show? i would aim to get there an hour before your class. so work backwards, see how long it'll take to get there then add a bit, allow 10 minutes for loading, 10 for bandaging, half an hour for scrubbing off stable stains! then your time to get to the yard, time to load everything into the car, time to get up and panic and dress.
get all your kit ready the night before and have it by the door ready. i sometimes wear shirt and tie and thena t-shirt over the top to speed up changing before the class. depends how early the class is and how hot the day is!

she needs to walk and trot happily, stand square and let the judge look at her.


when you arrive, one of you go and find out where the rings are, and where the secretary's tent is if you need to collect numbers etc, you might have them posted or need to get them on the day. find the loo and the burger stall, most important. get the ponies out and take rugs off, leave back bandages on in case of stress pooing down the back legs. when you travel, bandage all the tail, use 2 bandages so it stays clean - don;t just bandage the top. leave this on too.
go for a walk round, show them the sights, then back to the trailer to get ready, shine them up, hoof oil etc, tail bandage off and comb tail ,then put them back on and take off just before going in the ring.

[shandy84]

Well at the mo she is getting fed on good quality grass hay and Hi Fi with a small handful of Topline Conditioning Mix, she does not like pellets so any suggestions of other things would be great. :)

The show is at 12.15 so a really nice time I think it should take an hour to an hour and a half to get there so we'll leave the extra time :)

I have attached a pic of the two ponies by all means pick out what you think needs working on, we know they're not perfect conformationally (especially in Shandy's case) which is why we will only enter the youngtock class rather than anything too challenging like the PUK qualifying M&M inhand think that's a bit beyond us as a first show, never know we may have to scratch if they find it all a bit much and just get them used to the atmosphere :)

[Sooty]

I believe oil provides a good source of slow-release energy and has the added bonus of making the coat nice and glossy :)

good luck with the showing!

[celyns mummy]

i would highly recommend vegetable oil in feeds as it gives the coat a wonderful glossy shine and is high in calories.

You can aslo use it on their hooves

[MeMe]

What show are you going to Shandy?

[FreedomStar]

I have never shown inhand before, however, when I do show, I usually get a list together a week in advance so that I know what I need to take, and it gives me time to go out and buy extra stuff that I need, such as braiding bands, more shampoo, a bag of carrots for treats, etc. I assemble everything and pack the night before, and lay out my clothes for the next day. I usually put on my breeches and show shirt, then put on a pair of light pants or loose jeans over, and a light jacket over so that I don't get mussed up. I put my jacket in a clean, NEW garbage back with the hanger poking out the top and keep it in the trailer or car until it's needed.
Be sure to bring a bucket for water, lots of hay, and all your grooming supplies. I bathe the day before and pray that Ebony doesn't get too dusty overnight. If you're braiding you can do that overnight, and put the tail in a bag and just leave the mane. Don't forget to clean and polish your tack for the riding classes!!

One thing, when you pack, make sure you know where everything is!!!

[shandy84]

Thanks guys

Meme the show is at upminster Riding Club.

[MeMe]

Oh yeah the one at Orsett showground, we went to it last year when I had Mia.

Good luck, we out at dressage that day. :D

[colourful cob]

Orsett show ground is lovely - although for some reason there were lots of tents when we last went there to compete?!

[shandy84]

Ohh tents now that will be good for our bomproofing :D