How to Groom Your Horse
for Show & Competition

If you look like you know what you're doing, you're halfway there. Appearance is important, especially at a horse show. A tidy and well-kept look shows the judges and the other competitors that you take the sport seriously, and it can encourage you to perform at your best! A good turnout starts well before the show though. In this article, sponsored rider Jackie Eckhaus is going to share her top tips and methods for getting her horses ready for the show ring. Jackie has competed her homebred dressage horses at shows across the country so she has lots of experience with proper turnout and looking professional.

Pre-Show Grooming Preparation

"Show grooming starts at home. A dedicated routine makes a difference in the animal's coat and condition! Focusing on grooming, especially 4 to 6 weeks out, will allow the coat to become shinier and healthier." Putting consistent effort into grooming and your horse's coat health before the show or event can save a lot of hassle come show time. "Using a consistent grooming schedule can make a world of difference in achieving a naturally glossy coat and healthy skin, as opposed to the rushed, last-minute bath." If you maintain a clean horse, then you can easily groom and focus on additional finishing touches rather than starting from ground zero. If you are looking for additional shine outside of routine grooming, consider adding a coat and skin supplement to your horse's diet.

Jackie's Daily Grooming Routine

Daily grooming paired with proper bathing and final touches creates a show-stopping steed! This daily routine helps keep Jackie's horses clean and ready to be touched up when show day comes. Her daily grooming routine includes the following steps, and her show routine includes all of these plus some added ones that deliver that extra oomph.

1. Hooves: Pick out all the hooves and check for signs of hoof cracks, thrush, and whiteline disease; if needed, treat the area. For a strong and reliable hoofpick, Jackie chooses the Ultimate Hoofpick Junior so that she can easily scrape mud off the wall and remove any dirt or debris.
2. Fly Spray: Next is the first coat of fly spray if you feel it's necessary. This way, the horse and you can both enjoy a fly-free grooming session.
3. Curry Comb: Depending on the horse's sensitivity, Jackie uses a metal or rubber curry comb and works in a circular motion over the whole body and as far down the horse's leg as possible while keeping them comfortable. The curry comb loosens the dirt and dander while also bringing natural oils out of the skin. Jackie's favorite curry combs are the Roma Rubber Soft Flexible Curry Comb and the Haas Striegel Der Gute Curry Comb.
4. Stiff Dandy Brush: Next, Jackie uses a stiff dandy brush (or her equine vacuum) to lift the dirt and to help the oil from the skin move onto the hair. Her favorite stiff brush is the Champion Wood Back Soft Poly Brush since it has an accommodating medium stiffness. Depending on your horse's sensitivity levels, using a stiffer or softer bristled brush can make the grooming experience more enjoyable for them and you.
5. Mane and Tail: Now comes the time for the tail. Jackie always starts by using ShowSheen Detangler or the Carr & Day & Martin Canter Conditioner and lets it sit in the tail for a minute or two to detangle before brushing. While the tail sits, she gently brushes out the mane and forelock. When the tail is ready to be brushed, Jackie "works in small sections of hair in the tail at a time, starting from the bottom and moving up. [She] works carefully so that no hairs are pulled out, as they take 5 to 7 years to grow back out to full length."
6. Soft Body Brush: Jackie goes back to the horse's body and uses a soft finishing brush to smooth out the hair on the face and body, removing any fine dust and leaving a polished look. The soft brush evenly distributes the natural body oils to create a shiny coat. Her favorite soft brushes are the Decker Soft Finishing Bush and the Haas Grundy's Finest Soft Horse Hair Body Brush.
7. Face and Dock: To clean the face, Jackie uses a damp sponge or rag to gently wipe around the horse's ears, muzzle, eyes, nose, and mouth. This removes any snot, boogers, or crusties (trust us, these are the technical terms) and creates a clean image. Once the face is done, the rag or sponge can be used to clean the horse's dock and under the tail. It's important to do this last because you don't want germs from the dock to be spread onto the face.
8. Hoof Oil: Jackie then goes back to the horse's hooves and applies a hoof oil or conditioner to the heels, frog, sole, and wall. She is careful not to apply to the coronet band, as this is a more sensitive area. Jackie's two choices for hoof dressings are the Effol Hoof Oil and the Pure Sole Natural Hoof Oil.
9. Final Fly Spray: To finish, Jackie applies one more coat of fly spray to ensure a bug-free ride!

Special Grooming Considerations

If your horse has white stockings, socks, or leg markings, or is white or light gray, Jackie recommends bathing with whitening shampoo at least twice the week before the show or event. If your horse is especially stained or dirty, there is no harm in starting this process earlier. Then she bathes the horse the night before the event to ensure they are as clean as possible. Her favorite whitening shampoo is the Quic Silver Shampoo, though she loves the Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover for a quick day of cleaning.

Additionally, after bathing with mane and tail shampoo or whitening shampoo, a tail bag is an excellent way of keeping white tails white and any tail detangled! Some people use a tail bag all the time while at home, and others only use one when preparing or at shows. Similarly, keeping your horse covered with a sheet, cooler, or horse blanket before and at the show can help with maintaining cleanliness. If your horse is braided, products like mane tamers are useful to prevent your horse from rubbing their braids out as well as keeping shavings out of the braids.

In regards to braids, it is always a good idea to practice your braiding skills and make sure you have all of your braiding supplies before the show. If you've never braided before, this practice will help you understand how mane thickness and length play a role in the execution of the braids. If you are a seasoned braider, it can be a chance to perfect your style and work on consistency. Additionally, if you choose to braid your horse's tail or use a fake tail, this is a great time to dial in the process and account for all your materials.

If you choose to clip your horse, make sure you do so with enough time for the clipper lines and any imperfections to grow out, as well as time for clipping supplies to arrive if you find yourself without the necessary items. When the hair is freshly clipped and at its shortest, you may only see some of the imperfections like missed hairs or uneven sections. When given a few weeks to grow out, the clip job will look more even, and you'll have a chance to touch up if need be. This also gives you and your horse time to adjust to the new feeling. Additionally, for extra finess when clipping, tidying up the horse's coronet bands and ear fluff can create a very polished image.

Show Day Grooming Specifics

Along with a routine grooming session, Jackie recommends these extra steps that should be taken the day of or as final touch-ups to ensure your horse is as clean as they can be. These extra steps can elevate your entire look and show everyone that you mean business. These steps include:

• More Fly Spray: Spraying the joints (hock, knee, and hip mainly) with fly spray or a coat conditioner and smoothing it out with a rag gives the horse a nice shine and emphasizes the horse's movement.
• Flush the Mouth: Use a large syringe filled with water to flush the horse's mouth and cheeks of hay, grain, or treats. Make sure you do this before you put the bridle on so that every bit of debris can make its way out without getting stuck on the bit. This is especially a good idea if your horse tends to foam or slobber, since leftover food could turn it green. Make sure you are careful when doing this; you don't want to put the syringe between the horse's teeth since they can bite and break the plastic and potentially swallow it or cut themselves. Also, keep track of your own fingers so you don't get bitten!
• Full-Body Rag and Even More Fly Spray: Going over the entire body with a damp rag to remove any fine dust particles and then spraying a layer of fly spray gives that extra shine (along with deterring pests, of course).
• Green Spot Remover: As mentioned earlier, having a quick spot-clean method is crucial for show day. Whether your horse napped on a poop pillow or decided they needed to itch themselves with green slobber, a quick remedy compared to a full bath is a lifesaver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I wash my horse before a show?

A: Jackie recommends bathing your horse twice the week before, especially if your horse is white or has white markings, and the night before the show for a final wash. Also, keep a spot remover on hand for last-minute cleaning.

Q: How do you keep a horse clean before a show?

A: Daily grooming is very helpful for keeping your horse clean before a show. Keeping a consistent routine will help them have a naturally shiny and healthy coat. Then, baths the week before and the night before will make your horse sparkle! To help even more, keep them covered with sheets and tail bags.

Q: How long before a show should I clip my horse?

A: You should clip your horse with enough time for patterns and lines to grow out slightly. Clipping a month prior will give your horse enough time to grow out any clipping imperfections and let them get adjusted to the new hair-do.

Q: How do I make my horse shiny for a show?

A: Routine grooming prior to the show is going to be the biggest factor, but additional baths and attention to little details make the picture-perfect moment! Using a large syringe and water to clean the horse's mouth and cheeks can prevent green slobber, and spraying fly spray or a coat conditioner on their knees and hocks helps emphasize movement.

Q: How do I groom my horse like a professional?

A: Professionals pay attention to the details. Take extra time to make sure all the boogers and crusties are cleaned off the horse's face, pick up their hooves to polish their heels, spray their joints with fly spray for extra shine, clean out their mouths with water for clean slobber, and always do a final wipe with a damp rag to get any dust!

Q: How do I prepare myself for a horse show?

A: Feeling confident in your riding is a large part of the equation, but feeling confident in your appearance is equally as important. Try your show outfit on prior to the show and make sure everything fits. Also, practice your braiding in advance so you can confidently braid your horse at the show. Doing these types of trial runs will illuminate any equipment you might need at the show and can give you a chance to master skills before it's game time!

Closing Thoughts

When we think of preparing for a horse show, our minds go to our riding skills first and foremost. But being confident in our appearance is also important and can give us that extra boost on show day. Doing trial runs of your turnout (braids included) is a great way to ensure that you're ready for the big day, and lets you focus on riding when the time comes. But remember that show grooming starts at home! We hope these recommendations and tips from Jackie help you perfect your grooming regimen and prepare for your next outing. If you have any questions, please email info@ridingwarehouse.com or call 1-800-620-9145. Ride on!

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