Finishing touches
March 20, 2013 Leave a comment
So you have bathed, plaited, put in the training and packed the lorry and it is now the day of your long awaited competition! The work has only really just got started! Here we tell you our top ‘finishing touches’ to make sure you dazzle at your next show!
Give yourself plenty of time on the morning of your show, you don’t want to be panicking and rushing as your horse will sense this and it could make you both more nervous! Start by cleaning any dirt off his hooves and legs – if need be hose off the feet, or use a brush to remove any debris. If you need to do any stain removing then now is the time so that any product or water can dry out in good time. Using Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover is perfect for last minute touch ups and can remove manure or grass stains at the squirt of a nozzle!
White socks should be clean before you apply any hoof oil or polish. Don’t do this in the stable as you will get bits stuck to the polish which can look untidy. If you need to stay in the stable put the banks up and tie him up to prevent any traipsing through bedding! Hoof polish comes in all shapes and sizes now, if you are using a clear polish then it is a little easier to apply, however if you are using a black hoof polish be careful not to apply any to the hair on the legs, using rubber gloves can help keep you clean and tidy! We really rate Absorbine SuperShine Hoof Polish for its fabulous long lasting effects!
Once applied you need to let your hoof polish dry, which gives you the perfect time for moving on to the mane and tail! You should have already washed and detangled the previous day so simply remove any bedding from the hair and spray a little Cowboy Magic Super Body Shine through the tail (not the mane if it has been, or is going to be plaited) and using a human hair brush or specific tail brush ensure it is tangle free and flowing! If you want to keep the tail neat and tidy at the top then apply a tail bandage to tame wayward hairs, but don’t forget to take it off before you get on board!
On to the coat, give your horse a flick over with a brush to remove dust and debris, then apply a polish such as Cowboy Magic Super Body Shine. Allow the product to dry and then using a polishing cloth, grooming mitt or body brush go over the coat to bring up that winning shine!
Ensure your tack is spotless and trim and tidy any stray hairs that could be peeking out of plaits! The next bit is the most important part of your show day… ENJOY!
For all your show day finishing touches shop on www.worldwidetack.com