Tuesday, January 4, 2011

First 2011 Horse Show

So the first show is set for January 16th 2011. I will be showing with my friend Trisha's daughter AND I am hoping my other buddie Julie and her CAUTE POA Rebel, I haven't seen them in forever! at least since I was at the R Wild Horse Ranch last. Trisha is being awesome and letting me borrow her western saddle/bridle again for the show since I don't have my own =( I don't show enough western to get one but maybe I should break down for shows like this where you need to show english & western to have a shot at the buckles offered. My plans for tomorrow are to do some showmanship then some conditioning to see how far 'gone' Dartanion is since his last show, I think the time off will have done him a world of good =). I am not playing on anything too intense till I see what his stamina is at =) Ok that's my semi-boring update.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Horse Show Grooming Tips/Ideas

Grooming Tips:
- If you are going to body clip be sure to do so at least a week in advanced before your show, simple things like ear & muzzle clipping can be done (again) the day before the show if desired. Be sure to place cotton balls in your horses ears before clipping to help prevent hairs for falling into the ear canal and it will deaden the sound of the clippers.
This is a great site for clipping all areas of the horse, NOTE: the length of a bridle path can vary from discipline to discipline, they also suggest using a twitch if your horse has issues with getting his ears clipped which doesn't have to be your choice. http://www.stock-horse-show-source.com/horse-show-grooming.html

- Be sure to bathe your horse a day or two before the show, once your horse is try you can apply a thin layer of show sheen (or your chosen product) over your horse to help prevent stains if your horse laydown in his stall overnight.
- You can rub a touch of baby oil over your horses just clipped bridle path to eliminate the just-clipped look.
- Too polish the feet you can use a wax-based, cake shoe polish which will help protect the hoof from drying effect of hoof laqure which you can apply over the hoof polish. Something I like to use for white hoofs is WD40, Idea taken from my friend Pam.
- Be sure to make pulling your horses mane a daily grooming task, especially if your horse has a full thick mane. You can do your pulling after you ride since the pores will be open and the hairs will come out easily. I have also been told you can use.....
-When braiding and banding your horses mane have some hair gel (I use L.A. Looks level 10 extreme hold http://www.epinions.com/reviews/La_Looks_No10_Gel_Sport_Look_Extreme_Hold_Blue_16_oz ) during each braid & band to help the hairs stay nice, neat, and flat. I find that using a sleezy after braiding helps keep unruley hairs in place. Then in the morning weting your hands a little and running them over the wild parts in the morning helps move them back.
- If you have a horse with white legs you can use Baby Powder, corn startch or show touch-up (http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?ProductClassid=6239) to help make them super white before entering the ring. I have personally found that corn startch works better than baby powder but there are also a variety of ways to apply both. I'm also a big fan of show touch-up (which can be found in more colors than white) for some potentially difficult stains that just won't come out.
- If your horse has a hard time growing a tail you can always purchase a tail extention AND/OR keep your horses tail braided to prevent hairs from breaking off and to help it grow. I've also been told that MTG gel helps tails grow but have not personally tried it.


This is a great site I found a while back for the beginner to advanced shower. It's a great little read!
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-training/30-blue-ribbon-tips-26591.aspx

Horse Show Checklist (personal/sample)

Horse Show Checklist
(remember you can add and subtract items as needed, this is just a general list to help people get started or up-date your current list)

It's often a better idea to load everything up into the trailer the day/night before your show. So in the morning all you have to do is go over your check list, load up your horse and off you go!

Paperwork:
- Directions to show ground
- Membership cards
- Rule Book
- Horse Registration
- Health certificate, Coggins, any other required vet information
- Emergency Telephone numbers (i.e. Vet, Shoer)
- Checkbook/wallet/I.D.
- Test Booklet (unless provided at show grounds)

Truck & Trailor:
- Truck & Trailor registration
- Jack for trailor
- Check all trailor & truck lights
- Spare tires
- Manure fork


For You:
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Makeup
- Hat or cap
- Beverages and snacks
- Folding chairs
- Asprine
- Camera
- Cell phone
- Safty pins
- Sewing kit
- Tolietries (usually only needed for overnight shows)

Show Ring Horse:
- Bridle
- Saddle
- Saddle Pad(s)
- Girth/cinch
- Brest plate, as needed
- Whip/Crop
- Approved martingale or other approved auxillary tack
- Longe line and longe whip (optional)
- spare halter & lead rope
- Showmanship halter
- treats
- Hay/heynet, other feed
- Equine first-aid kit
- Water Bucket/water tub for overnight
- Stall guard (if stalling overnight)
- head bumper
- Shipping boots & Wraps

Grooming Tote
- Fly Spray
- Spare buckets
- Brushes, Curries
- Hoof pick
- Show sheen
- Spot remover, Cowboy Magic
- Sponges and rags
- WD40 (clear coat for hooves)
- Rubber Bands
- Scissors
- yard/cotton to repair braids
- Hair gel
- zipties (for tail extention)
- Show touch-up Spray
- Babypowder/corn starch
- Shampoo & Conditioner

Show Ring You:
- Breeches/Jodphurs
- Jeans and/or show pants
- Boots
- Half chaps
- Spurs
- Show shirt
- Show Coat
- Showmanship outfit
- Showmanship Hat
- Showmanship number holder
- Showmanship Earring
- Pleasure Earrings
- Helmet
- Hair Nets
- Bobby pins
- Rat catcher
- Gloves
- Belt/buckle