Showing your horse can be exciting and exhausting all at the same time. It can be fun and frustrating. Showing is often like a up and down ride of nerves and emotion. Whether you are a seasoned show competitor or plan on doing your first horse show this year, the following tips should help you enjoy the season.

Preparation starts at home

For a horse to show well, he needs to be healthy and happy. Your horse should have a good diet, regular worming and vaccination schedule.His/Her hoofs should be trimmed regularly and, if you want a good performance in the show ring, there is no substitute for spending lots of time with him/her. That glow of health comes from good feed and lots of grooming.He/She needs your love and wants to please you.Show him/her what you want, tell him/her when he/she does it right and you will be well on your way to a top show performance!

You can not prepare for a show the day before and you should not expect to do anything differently the day of the show than you do when you are practicing or taking lessons. Like any other athletic event you must train and practice for the event to be a success. Your confidence is much easier to acquire when you know you are prepared. Don’t try a new bit, a new saddle, or new technique the day of the show. Be sure that your preparation consists of basic ground manners, tying, and loading into the trailer, not just the showing in the ring.

Show Rules

If you are a seasoned show competitor, check for changes and updates for the new season. If you are new to showing, make sure you know what rules you will be showing under and get a copy of them. There are different rules for different riding disciplines. Understand the different divisions of the competition and make sure you enter the classes that are suited to your riding level. Most reputable shows require proof of a current negative coggins test. You will not be able to sign up for any classes without proof so put it where you can not forget it.

Ring Etiquette

Nothing is more annoying than riders that do not know proper ring etiquette. During the warm-up period in the ring there will likely be a lot of horses going many different directions. Proper ring etiquette consists of always keeping at least one horse length between your horse and any other horse in front, behind, or beside you. Riding too close to another horse can get you or your horse kicked. When ever possible pass a slower horse on the inside of the ring. When approaching another horse head on, call “inside” or “left” to indicate you will move your horse toward the inside of the ring. If there are jumps set up in the center, call “heads up on the”…and name the jump you are approaching. If you are not jumping listen for these calls and be sure not to cross the path of that jump line. Crossing the path of a jumping horse could result in a very serious injury to you and your horse or to the other rider and their horse. 

Safety First

Ring etiquette is one important factor in being safe. If the rider of a nervous or misbehaving horse loses control, you want to be as far away from that horse as possible. You must be “on your toes” the entire time you are on the show grounds. You never know when a baby stroller, umbrella, crackling P.A. system or a host of other “scary monsters” will startle your horse. Even if your horse is very quiet, you need to be alert for other horses that may “spook” at such situations.

Making sure your transportation has good tires, proper trailer brakes and working lights is sometimes overlooked in our excitement to leave the barn.

If you use a hay net, be sure it is tied up high enough that the horse can not get a foot tangled in it, and make sure it is tied securely enough that it will not come untied as he pulls at it.

Be sure you know how to tie a quick release knot and use it every time you tie your horse. At the show, your horse should not be tied long enough to graze.

Pack a first aid kit for yourself and your horse.

Bring Help

The biggest job of a helper is to make sure you never have to leave your horse unattended. Helpers are great for closing trailer doors behind your horse as you lead him in, helping with last minute grooming after you have your show clothes on, helping you keep track of time, and providing moral support.

Leave your ego at home

Easier said than done! Once you enter the show grounds you are in the hands of lady luck. You have little control over many of the situations you will be placed in during the day. There will most likely be many riders and horses of equal or better riding levels. You may or may not agree with the judge’s decisions. If you are going to enjoy showing, you must acquire an attitude that will allow you to “roll with the punches.”

Show grounds are high tension arenas for everyone. If you have done the best job you could do in a particular class, given the circumstances that occurred in that class (for example you got cut off, your horse spooked, or you were just too nervous to check your diagonal) you should feel proud and calmly say, “I did my best”.

Parents: Prepare for possible meltdowns

Nerves are something we can not just leave behind. In an attempt to control them they often reappear disguised as surly attitudes, misplaced anger, or dramatized emotions. Often the physical and mental strain of the day will leave competitors behaving like two year old children in desperate need of a nap (this can happen to adult competitors too).Try to give your child the support, but also the space he/she needs. Good luck, it is a difficult job.

Manage your time

The only time you enjoy getting out of bed before the sun rises is on a show day. Nothing will make you feel more overwhelmed than running late. That anxiousness will be picked up by your horse immediately. Getting to the barn early gives you some time for grooming, checking your packing list and the ability to be patient while loading your horse in the trailer(if your horse isn’t stalled at the show grounds already). Getting to the show grounds early allows you to do last minute grooming and time with your horse before the show.Also to get registered for your classes and have warm up time.

Don’t warm your horse up for so long that he is too tired to perform well in his/her  classes. How much time your horse will need depends on his/her temperament and the level of athletic ability you will be asking of him/her. In general, try to be on your horse about fifteeen to twenty minutes before you have to go in the ring. Dismount and give your horse a break in between classes.

Take time to rest and let your horse chill out at the trailer/stall with some hay and water. Give yourself time to relax, socialize and eat. If your stomach feels full of butterflies, try to eat a little bit several times during the day. Many riders have gotten a pounding headache, or even passed out in the ring because they did not eat anything all day.

Show Day Essentials

Water-Lots of it. Freezing water bottles the night before works great. Don’t forget water to wash your face and hands with, some shows only have port-a-potties.

You may want to bring water for your horse too. Some horses get finicky about drinking different water. Carrying a five gallon container of water for your horse is always a good habit in case you should get stuck on the road in hot weather. A horse standing in a trailer during the summer months can get overheated and dehydrated very quickly. Don’t forget the water bucket.

It will be a long day. Bring chairs and/or a blanket to lie on, sunscreen, a tarp, snacks to eat during the day (most shows have a concession stand).

You can always use a few extra rags with your grooming supplies, and of course don’t forget your show clothes and your show tack. If you have an extra halter, lead rope, bridle and girth these are the things most likely to break on you so throw them in. You may also enjoy a change of clothes for the ride home.

It is nice to have a muck bucket and manure fork to clean out the trailer and clean up the area where the horse will be tied or stabled during the day. Not only will it keep your horse’s legs clean, your boots clean, and smell better, but it will also keep the flies down.

Don’t forget your rain gear. Hopefully you won’t need it, but most shows go on, rain or shine.

Last but not least , HAVE FUN!!

   The first thing you must determine is what you really want from a horse, and to what extent you will be using him/her. Will the horse be a trustworthy companion or wonderful Dressage prospect? Buy taking the time and comparing the different classified ads presented to you, will help determine your priorities. Be sure to use the advanced search features each online classified horse website has to offer, this will help you to narrow down your search results.

   Once you have found the horse you want, its always a  good idea to get a professional opinion when you are buying a horse. Whether or not you use an agent to help you select your horse, you should always have a basic veterinary pre-purchase exam performed. When you seek out professional advice, pay for it and then listen to it! When your instructor or veterinarian cautions you about a horse, it is for a reason. When seeking advice, it is best to a well-respected professional that has no vested interest in the horse sale.

   Here is a breakdown of what to look for when a horse is for sale:

    * does the horse fit your needs 
    * what skills does the horse possess
    * does the horse have a good temperament
    * do comparisons of other similar horses
    * does the horse fit the selling price
    * get professional advice
    * are there any lessons with the sale
    * make sure to have pre-purchase vet exam
    * can you afford the upkeep on a horse (such as boarding, feed, and veterinary care.)

   Stay focused. Keep in mind that you are selecting a horse for a particular reason or desired skill. There are many decisions and compromises lying ahead, so it helps if you set your priorities clearly at the outset.

   If the overall purpose of the horse is to teach you how to ride rather than to carry you to the winner’s circle, then the selection process will emphasize different traits to fit your needs. If the horse is intended to be a long-term project rather than a stepping stone, you may need to invest more time, effort, and money in your purchase. Remember to take your time and use the tools at your disposal, such as online horse classifieds, you will thank yourself in the end.

Sean Russell - Owner and Operator of MyEquineSource Horses for Sale Classifieds

2 Apples
1 Cup Bran
1 Carrot, Shredded
3/4 Cups Molasses
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Sweet Feed
2 Sprigs of Parsley or Green Carrot Top or Alfalfa Blooms
2 Seedless Green Grapes
Confectionery Sugar

Core two apples and dig out as much of the center as you can, as you would a pumpkin at Halloween. Set this aside.
Mix shredded carrot with bran, molasses, brown sugar and sweet feed in a large bowl. Add more molasses or bran to give mixture a stiff consistency. Scoop mixture out of the bowl and press into cored applies. Press fairly tightly.
To garnish: Drip a small amount of molasses over the top so it runs down sides of the apple. Add a sprig of parsley or carrot greens, top with a green seedless grape, sprinkle with confectionery sugar and serve immediately! Serve in a feed bucket as this is a gooey treat. Serves two horses.
Or serve: After you’ve cored apple, slice in half and press ingredients into each half, garnish as in the whole apple recipe and serve four horses.Recipe is from “The Original Book of Horse Treats” by June V. Evers

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Apple & Carrot Horse Cookies

1 c. sweet feed
2 c. bran
1 c. flax seed
4 large carrots
1 c. molasses
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. applesauce

Mix molasses, brown sugar, carrots and applesauce in one bowl.
In another bowl mix the dry ingredients.
Slowly combine the molasses mixture with the dry ingredients.
Add only enough molasses mixture to form a thick dough, add more bran if necessary.
Line cookie sheet with foil.
Drop batter onto foil with a tablespoon and flatten slightly to form portions about the size of a silver dollar.
Bake at 350 degrees for one (1) hour.
flip and bake an additional 45 minutes until they are dried out.  
Keep checking to make sure they do not burn.
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Apple Horse Cookies

1 c. margarine
1 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. bran
1 c. diced carrots
1 c. apples
1 tsp baking soda
2 c. quick cooking dry oatmeal
2 eggs
 

Cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs.
Combine flour, bran and baking soda.
Blend into a creamed mixture.
Stir in oats, carrots and apples.
Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until lightly brown.

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Cob Horse Cookies

8 c. dry cob feed (corn, oats, barley mix)
3 c. shredded carrots
1/4 c. corn oil
2 c. flour
2 c. molasses Mix all ingredients well. Let stand for at least an hour (so the grain can absorb some of the moisture), stir the mixture
well.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a well greased cookie sheet.
Using your finger and the teaspoon “smoosh” the cookie into a round slightly flattened shape.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-18 minutes.
Put on racks to cool.
Makes 6-9 dozen.

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Easy Horse Cookies

1 c. grated carrots
1 apple
2 tbs. corn oil
1/4 c. molasses
1 tsp salt
1 c. rolled oats
1 c. flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix carrot, apple, corn oil, and molasses together.
Fold in salt, oats and flour until well mixed.
Spread dough out in one piece on greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes till golden brown.
Let cool and break into pieces and serve.

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Easy No Cook Bran Horse Snaps

4 c. bran
4 c. applesauce Mix ingreedients together.
Batter should be doughy.
Roll out with rolling pin, cut shapes with cookie cutter.
Let dough dry and serve

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Horse Whinny Bars

2 c. dry oatmeal
1/4 c. grain
3 c. bran
1 c. molasses

Mix oats, grain and bran together in bucket.
Drizzle in molasses while mixing with your hands (consistence should be a little thinner than ply dough).Place dollops (about half a handful) on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.They never get completely hard, but they store nicely.

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Horse Yummy Oat Cookies

1 c. oatmeal
1 c. bran
1 c. water
1 tbs. salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 c. molasses

Mix ingredients together.
Grease a cookie sheet.
Drop spoon size balls onto cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until hard on the outside.
Can refrigerate.

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Steamed Oat Mash

1 or 2 T. salt
A ration of rolled, crushed or crimped oats
A few cut up carrots
A few cut up apples
1 c. molasses or 2 T. linseed meal for extra taste

Mix all ingredients in a feed bucket. Combine with suitable quantity of boiling water (completely soaked up by oats). Cover and let steam until cool enough to feed to your horse. (30-45 minutes preparation time).

Variation: Use applesauce instead of apples and carrots.

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Bran Mash

8 - 12 c. wheat bran
1 c. rolled, crushed or crimped oats
1/4 c. corn oil
1/4 c. molasses
1-1/2 to 2-1/2 c. boiling water
1 carrot, sliced
1 apple, sliced

Combine bran and oats in feed bucket. Add boiling water to desired consistency. Stir in oil, molasses, carrot and apple. Cover and allow to sit. Serve when cool enough to feed.

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Horse Banana Cookies

1 banana
2 cups flour
half cup sugar
1-2 pinches cinnamon

slice up the banana. add your two cups of flour. next add your sugar. mix well. if desired you may mash up the banana. last add your cinnamon. Enjoy!

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Horse Bread Treats

1 slice of wheat bread
1 tablespoon molasses, or honey, or syrup (only 1)
1 1/2 tablespoons of applesauce

Cut up one slice of bread into cubes, (not teeny tiny, but not bigger than an inch) Then stick the bread into a bowl. Drizzle the molasses over the bread (make sure you get most of the bread) then pour the applesauce on. Mix it all together, then put it in a flat bowl or pan and freeze it for a little while. Take it out and feed it to your horse.

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