Get ready for your next horse competition!
Preparation is the key to success. If you want to have a smooth, stress-free experience at horse shows, then you need to be properly prepared for them. You’ll need to not only get your horse ready, but also yourself. From cleaning tack and braiding manes to packing snacks and water, there’s a lot of forethought required.
Let this horse show prep list get you on the right track!
Prepping for Shows
Essentially, there are three areas you need to focus on- horse, rider, and truck/trailer preparation. If you can get those areas in order, then you’re set to go! For the best results, make a physical list and start checking boxes off.
The Truck & Trailer
Your truck and horse trailer should be packed with all of the essentials. First, make sure everything is in working order. Both the trailer and truck should be inspected carefully. In the event of an emergency, you should have a spare truck tire, trailer tire, jumper cables, jacks, emergency flares, flashlight, and tools. Put together a list of contact numbers to store in the truck, including the company you use for equine roadside assistance and your veterinarian’s number.
In addition, create a binder will all of your paperwork for the day’s event. This can be stored in your truck. It’s helpful to include Coggins certificate, health certificate, horse’s registration papers, show bill, rule book, and money in the form of cash, checks, or credit cards.
The Rider
You’d be surprised how much there is to pack for riders. Each discipline and association will have their own apparel, so your packing list may vary. Ultimately, you’ll need show clothes, hair accessories, and some miscellaneous items.
Suggested show clothes may include breeches, belt, show shirt, show coat, boots, riding socks, helmet, and gloves. It can be a good idea to bring some schooling breeches and shirts. For your hair, a brush, bobby pins, hair net, show bows, and travel mirror are all good ideas. Don’t forget a lint roller and boot polish!
On your downtime, a folding chair, extra clothes, sunscreen, insect repellant, reading material, and cell phone are must-haves. You can also pack an ice cooler with water, Gatorade, and healthy snacks like granola, fruit, and sandwiches.
The Horse
The vast majority of the packing will be for your horse, of course. They need tack, horse care items, grooming supplies, and a first-aid kit. Keeping your trailer organized will make show day so much easier!
Your horse will need some care items to get through the day happily. These usually include hay, hay net, feed, feed buckets, water buckets, fans, electrolyte paste, fly gear (mask, boots, or sheet), shipping boots, pitchfork, manure bucket, broom, and extra halters and lead ropes.
A good grooming kit and first-aid supplies are essential! Your grooming kit should have all the basics like a currycomb, stiff and soft brushes, mane/tail comb, hoof pick, sponges, sweat scraper, shampoo and conditioner, fly spray, towels, braiding supplies, baby oil, baby wipes, and hoof oil. For a first-aid kit, you should include triple antibiotic ointment, gauze pads, vet wrap, scissors, thermometer, liniment, antiseptic solution, adhesive tape, and eye flush.
Tack will look different depending on your discipline. Generally, you’ll need a saddle, saddle cover, pads, girth, bridle, bit, martingale, extra reins, stirrup irons and leathers, lunge line, whip, and some leather cleaning supplies like saddle soap and silver polish. Some items like food will need to be packed the morning of, but the vast majority can be loaded up the day before. A solid week or two before the show make sure to go through everything to ensure it’s in good condition and fits.
You’ll be a seasoned show pro in no time!
