Horse show grooming tips – knock the judge over!
Well, aside from staying on and your horse not acting like a totally foolish goober, you can make your horse shine for the judge. That show ring shine is in the details, an extra set of hands, adding a few things to your regular grooming routine.
Jump to video and shopping
Back in the barn, before your classes:
- Tidy any braids with mousse to pin down fly-aways.
Mane Mousse is great before you braid and can be used after as well to tame any disobedient strands of mane.
- Use a smidge of grooming oil to make your horse’s eye orbits and nostrils shine. Some disciplines use a lot of grooming oil! For disciplines that don’t typically use oil, a little bit goes a long way; aim for the understated look. Less is more.
- A tidy tail. Some mousse will flatten and shape the top of your horse’s tail. This helps you avoid the unfashionable, just got struck by lightning look.
- Wickedly clean tack. Before you hop on, a quick wipe with a lederbalsam creates a nice subtle shine on your tack and gives your bum some extra sticking action.
Lederbalsams are great at spiffing up your tack AND creating grip. Good news for your bum!
- Trim your horse’s coronary bands. You may have the sharpest-looking legs with perfectly groomed fetlocks, so keep the look going by trimming up the coronary band. Simple safety scissors or your clippers can create a sharp line. Bonus – it’s easier to inspect your horse’s hooves this way; you will likely catch any cracks early!
- Add some last-second shine. Apply your shine product evenly, and avoid the saddle area! Sheen sprays can be slippery.
- Properly fitted saddle pads do their job without covering up most of your horse. Keep bling and decorations to a minimum, and keep saddle pads clean and minimal.
- If your horse has been eating before you hop on, consider rinsing his mouth with water to remove all the green slobbies. A large syringe does the trick.
- When you are getting dressed, honor the tradition of your discipline without taking the judge’s eye away from your horse.
Dress to impress. You and your horse.
Grooming between the warm-up and the show ring:
- Nicely cleaned and polished hooves. Brush off all dirt on the hooves and add some hoof polish sparingly. You may even want to wipe off most of it, so your horse’s hooves shine just a bit.
- Do your best to remove sweat. Use a sweat scraper to remove most of it, then follow with damp or dry cloths. Sweat scrapers with the rubber flap are awesome for this job.
- Clean any slobber from your horse’s lips, and wipe any sweat from his face. You may want to also check and clean in between his butt cheeks.
- Smile and have fun!
Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you. You can also visit my Amazon storefront here: PEG storefront.
Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.
Other sizes, too! Adds shine with the most gentle formula.
The best shampoo for shine and soothing.
This is my favorite horse care product for shine, conditioning, detangling, and stain protection.
It's fashion and function
For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains.
Brighten duns, palominos, and golden colors.
For dark bays, black points, and black horses
This style of sweat scraper is gentle over your horse's bony and lumpy places.
These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.
The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products.
Sort of a mix between a finishing brush and a body brush. Soft for sensitive horses.
Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote.
Boost shine and create a smooth coat with this medium brush from the best of the best - HAAS. Go forth and shine!
Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.
These are HandsOn Gloves with special pricing! Only in the color gray.
This cordless trimmer is powerful and comes with the 5-in-2 blade system for versatility.
This is my favorite clipper - It's great for body clipping, trace clipping, and trimming. Cordless for the win!
Clean anything and store anything with this versatile hook. Easy to bring to horse shows, too!
If you love options, this surcingle has a kabillion rings to pick from.
This is the best broom for getting every last bit of shavings out of the barn aisle.
Keep all of your poops in a group with this handy tote.
Classy and practical stall guard
Let your horse have the best view with this spiffy stall guard!
No escaping, please.
Keep your horse dry during bad weather, this rain sheet is also great for windy days.
This is SO SATISFYING to shrink up your seasonal horse blankets and gear.
Be sure to check the size. Don't want doll house size or marshmallow man size, either.
Vertical storage is the best! No more digging through trunks.
Keep your horse's water and noms warm this winter.
You will be amazed at what the ground will throw at ya.
Plus you can keep dust and rodents out of your horse's blankets while saving space.
Thank you!
