Pro Grooming Tips 

Here's a list of tips to help you shine on show day: 

Two Days before the show:

• For breeds that show with a shiny hoof, fill in any old nail holes with a spackling compound or wood filler (available at any hardware or lumber store) that matches the color of your horse's hoof as closely as possible. Holes can be colored with shoe polish and then regular hoof polish. We have also used filling successfully on small cracks. This can be done a couple of days before the show. To polish the feet on show day, use the wax-based, cake shoe polishes to add a deep luster to the foot while protecting it from the drying effects of hoof lacquer (black or clear), which can be applied over the shoe polish. Appaloosa owners use clear only to show the striped color of their horses' hooves.
• Clippers can give you the effect of a pulled tail, without having to pull out hairs. Run the clippers carefully along the outside of the dock and down about 4 to 6 inches, just up to the point where the hair begins to crest over. Thin the hairs along the top of the tail and blend longer hairs to gradually blend into the shorter ones. Be very careful not to shave the horse's dock area bald as he will suffer from sunburn and flies. (Not to mention it will look terrible.)
• If you clip the inside of your horse's ears, place cotton inside to prevent hairs from entering the ear canal and also to deaden the buzz of the clippers.
• When you don't need to pull the mane, use thinning shears to shorten it without having the
  chopped look of scissor cuts. Comb well before and during the process to ensure that you get a level mane.
• For coarse tails, use a hot oil treatment (not too hot for you to touch) in addition to your regular equine conditioner to soften the hairs and make them flow. See show clipping page

The Day Before:

• Wash your horse with a mild shampoo. Pay extra attention to the around the eyes, mane, tail and heels A sheen product will help to repel dirt. If possible, keep a light sheet on to keep the coat clean. 
• Rub a dab of baby oil along the bridle path and inside of ears to get rid of that chalky, just-clipped look and make it shiny. 
• To cut down on static electricity in the mane and tail, use damp dryer sheets, a little fabric softener, or hair gel on a damp cloth.
• Braid the mane before you get too tired with your show preparations. Don't start braiding at 10 p.m.! If you get frustrated, the horse will become frazzled and will associate braiding with an unhappy time . 

Show Morning and at the Show:

• If you chose not to band a western horse's mane, lay a dampened towel over the neck to help the hairs lie down smoothly. Again, comb a little watered-down styling gel into the mane. Let dry and comb again for a natural look.
• Keep a wrap, stocking or tail bag on your horse's braided tail while traveling to the show grounds. 
• Apply hoof oil or lacquer. The oil will collect dirt, but the judge will know that you made the effort. Lacquer is best unless your horse has dry hooves as is has better staying power..
• Instead of using rags to wipe down your horse, purchase inexpensive knit gloves (available at most drug or hardware stores) and apply the product directly to them. When you are finished, they can be washed. 
• For really white socks or stockings, dust the legs with baby powder or corn starch. (Be careful not to make too much dust for you and your horse to breathe in.) Slightly dampen the area to be whitened and brush on the starch/powder.
• If your horse gets shavings in its braids, use a small, short-bristled brush to gently remove them without damaging any of your work. 
• Keep damp cloths, a few elastics and a small brush with a ringside helper for last minute touch-ups to hooves, bit area and tack or to fix a stray braid..

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See show clipping page