Finishing touches

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

 

 

 

Wash & Go!

As featured in Local Rider magazine.

From shampoos to conditioners, and de-tanglers to cosmetic creams, we equestrian consumers enjoy using a wide range of products to help boost our horses’ appearance – whether this is for the show ring, for the start of the eventing season, or simply to wash away the remains of the wet, snowy and dirty winter we have just endured! Here are some of our favourites –

Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine – from £12.33 EXC Vat.
This fabulous product contains silk protein and panthenol for a great shine and pure conditioning. It penetrates the hair shaft, restores moisture, strengthens the hair and protects against UV sunlight.

Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This concentrated ‘shower in a bottle’ is easy to use and is formulated to remove manure and urine spots instantly, and remove wet or dried sweat. It dissolves manure, urine, dirt, and sweat.

Cowboy Magic – Super Body Shine – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This product is formulated to give hair a super shine – it helps repel show ring dust and dries fast. Concentrated Super Body Shine reflects a full spectrum of light. Aloe Vera is added.

Cowboy Magic – Shine In Yellowout – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This clever product neutralises yellow stains and brightens hair of all colours. It takes yellow stains out of hair, and gives dull hair of every colour a more brilliant sheen. It leaves hair silky and shiny.

Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This concentrated shampoo with silk conditioners is formulated to gently dissolve dirt and clean the hair. It also conditions the skin and is easy to rinse. Panthenol and silk proteins penetrate the hair. Conditioner also available.

Remember the diet
The horse’s diet can influence all areas of equine health, and the coat is no exception. Here are some of the key areas of nutrition that affect equine coat and skin health:
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs): Omega-3s help boost immunity to allergies, while omega-6 fats help fight resistance to skin infections.
• Protein: Protein is a key element of all body tissue, including skin, hooves and cartilage. Protein helps boost skin condition and elasticity.
• Lecithin: Lecithin is an important ingredient for helping maintain healthy skin and coat colour.
• Digestive aids: A healthy equine gut promotes overall health, so make sure your horse’s diet is fibre-rich. Consider yeasts and microbial feed supplements with probiotics.
• Vitamins and minerals: These compounds play a major part in coat health. Certain vitamins are specifically known to help boost coat health, particularly Biotin, and Vitamins A and B6.

Are you showing your horse this spring? Follow our top tips:
1. It is often better to bath a horse a few days before a show, to allow time for the natural coat oils to return, and make him naturally shiny.
2. Your horse’s mane and tail need to be presented according to the animal’s breed society rules, or the class you are entering. If you are leaving the mane ‘au naturel’, thin the mane and forelock to show off a refined head.
3. Plait according to your horse’s need (and breed society rulebook) – eg, with a very thick neck, plaits should be smaller and in higher numbers to make the neck appear finer. Thicker, rounder plaits that sit ‘high up’ on the crest can add definition to a ‘weedy’ neck. It is generally easier to plait a mane that isn’t freshly washed.
4. The night before the show, cover your horse with a rug or sheet that covers his whole body.
5. Take to the show any finishing touches like hoof oil for the feet, baby oil to bring out shine on the muzzle, and any whitening products such as chalk blocks for white areas like socks.
6. Pack a grooming mitt for last minute tidy-ups at events. With every 32oz cleansing product purchased, including those detailed above, www.worldwidetack.com will provide a free Stephens Sheepskin Grooming Mitt to customers.