Summer Show Tips
So hopefully you are all having fun with your show season. Below are some tips on how to make the most of your summer fun!
1. PRACTICE. I’m sure you think I mean practice your patterns, equitation, gaits or more. Actually, I’m sure you are doing that plenty well. My reminder is to practice things that you usually do only on show day.
- Load your horse on and off the trailer before you decide to take him off the farm to a strange new place. It is not fun being stuck at a show with a horse that won’t load. I even suggest you take your horse down to the grocery store and back.
- If you are expecting your horse to stand tied to the trailer, please practice this at home. This is when many dangerous things can happen in which you are required to call your veterinarian.
- Exposing your horse to the clippers prior to the day before or day of the show will save you all stress. Your horse might clip ok, but to expect him to behave when you only clip him 1-2x/year is asking a bit much.
- If you will be showing in a ring with other horses then you should try to practice this. The first time another horse canters by yours can be exciting for some. Also, it is good for you to remember you aren’t the only person in the ring and to practice ring awareness.
2. Make sure you bring a bucket and possibly water for your horse if you are going to a one day show. Offer your horse water throughout the day. He may be standing at his hay net eating all day, and that’s great, but don’t forget that he needs to drink plenty of water too. All that exercise requires more water than an average day. If traveling to a show, try and take your horses hay and grain. If you have to purchase hay at the show, try and take a little of your own that you can mix or try and purchase something similar to what your horse eats. If your horse does not like to drink water at a show, bring electrolytes or Gatorade. Prior to leaving for the show, put the electrolytes or Gatorade in your horse’s water and continue this at the show. Many horses will then drink water that they may not have otherwise.
3. Have your emergency first aid kit and the phone number for your veterinarian. Hopefully nothing happens to you or your horse, but you should be prepared.
4. Extra equipment. Leather has been known to break. An extra rein or stirrup leather doesn’t take up that much space.
5. Check the tires on your trailer and your spare before you leave. Make sure your registration is up to date and that your lights work.
6. Practice good bio-security. With the ease of travel and the size of some shows, many horses comingle from areas all over the world. Don’t share buckets, tack, etc with horses you don’t know. Don’t let your horse touch noses with a horse you don’t know. You can use a sprayer with water and bleach to disinfect stall walls when arriving on show grounds.
7. Have FUN! If your horse misbehaves, or you don’t get the ribbon you want, try not to forget that you are doing this for the love of the animal. Yeah, you may have some things to work on, but who doesn’t?
Let me know if I have forgotten anything else.