Show Preparation

[Appaloosa]

Hi there I am a frantic shower who is loking for you tips for successful preparation. If any one has any please place them on the forum. It can be anything from ringcraft to plaiting and bathing.

A few to get you started might be -

chalk and talc for white legs
cowboy magic for ont he spot stains
washing up liquid for white socks
baby oil for shining the points
oiling hooves the day before for extra shine.

X - A - X

[lamprellsarah]

wash your horse the day before and rug up to stop him getting dirty
plait the tail and mane the day before if you don't get time on the actually morning
if you do have time the morning of the show, the day before you can but the mane in bunches on the right side to convince it to lay on the right side!!
a damp cloth rubeed over a brushed coat get off dust then sprays rubbed on with a cloth give it that added shine
clean you tack the day before and take it up to the stables the day before, many a times have i been rushing around in the morning and left behind my girth!!! or something important!!

[Rakeli]

Really show the horse of in the ring. I have a pony who can be so strong and can get out of control, though when I went to a show last year, the ring was big enough for me to let him push on (especially as he was one of the only ponies in there, he felt he had to prove something !). Loads of people told me afterwards how good he looked, and whilst not being the best horse in the ring, finished third in a class of at least twenty! Despite not having much control on the side where the judges were watching, I could regain control on the other 3 sides, and it looked as though I was in control all the time (just keep smiling!).