Show Preparation - learn

LEARN FROM THE BEST

PREP PERFECTION WITH ABSORBINE AMBASSADORS JAYNE ROSS, KEVIN & EMMA MCNAB AND NATALIE MCGOLDRICK

Here are Jayne’s top tips for achieving the perfect show mane and tail.

and tail pulling session! “Neck rugs in the winter can often have dire consequences for the mane, so we only use “Thinning, tidying, and shortening your horse’s mane is an important job if you want him to look top-notch during the competition season. It’s important if you’ll be plaiting as a mane left thick and unruly leads to plaits that look like furry golf balls. “Pulling manes and tails, trimming, or hogging a couple of weeks before the show means that you can simply tidy up the day before the event, leaving you time for all the other jobs. You will have plenty to do without having to think about a full mane neck rugs on Cobs that will be hogged. “When bathing your horse, the day before a show do not condition the mane or tail as if you are plaiting, this will make the hair slippery and difficult to plait. “I always plait on the day of the event. There is nothing worse than spending hours carefully plaiting the day before only to find your horse has rubbed them out overnight, and this really damages their mane. I leave the forelock until I get to the show to stop the horse from rubbing it out on the way or getting it full of hay. “Traditionally there were seven or nine plaits plus the one for the forelock, but this unwritten rule no longer applies, and the distance apart is dictated by your horse’s type and confirmation - small plaits won’t look right on a chunky horse for instance. I prefer to sew my plaits in as sewn plaits are neater and achieve the best look to enhance the shape of the horse’s neck. When plaiting a show horse we always use the same coloured thread or bands as the mane. “If you want to help show off your horse’s hindquarters the hair at the top of the tail has to be long enough for you to plait right down to the dock. The key to a successful plait is maintaining even pressure as you go, so that you end up with a neat, ribbed

Jayne sewing plaits correct size to compliment the size of the horse’s neck

JAYNE ROSS HAS WON THE TITLE OF SUPREME HORSE OF THE YEAR AT HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW SEVEN TIMES IN THE LAST DECADE. IN 2014 AND 2015 BROADSHARD SIMPLICITY TOOK THE SUPREME HORSE OF THE YEAR IN CONSECUTIVE YEARS, A FEAT UNHEARD OF IN RECENT TIMES.

appearance all the way down the dock. “Allow plenty of time in the morning of your show for plaiting and last-minute tail cleaning, as your horse will inevitably get some stains overnight. A good tip for quick and easy white tails is ShowSheen’s Stain Remover & Whitener, because it lifts dirt and removes any yellow stains, meaning less stress whilst preparing in the morning! “We swear by Stain Remover & Whitener for getting white tails clean after a winter of standing in the mud. Just spray it on and leave it to work for 5-10 minutes before washing it off. If you do this every day the tail will soon be sparkling. “All of our horses have pulled tails. As youngsters, the horses at our yard get used to frequent tail washing as no tails are brushed to avoid breaking the hair leaving them with full, healthy tails. We wash with Absorbine ShowSheen 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner and then give them a good spray with Absorbine ShowSheen Hair Polish & Detangler, then we give the tail a shake and tease it through with our fingers. This tried and trusted practice means that no winter stains can build up in tails and the silk proteins and pro-vitamins in ShowSheen ensure that the hair is kept tangle free and conditioned. “Finally, once you are at the event make sure that the finishing touches are pristine and check those last-minute details.” KEVIN MCNAB IS AN AUSTRALIAN EVENTER AND REGULAR MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CUP TEAMS WITH AN ENVIABLE RECORD OF TOP 10 FINISHES AT CCI5. KEVIN CAME SIXTH AT KENTUCKY IN APRIL 2021 AND NOW ADDS OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALLIST TO HIS LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS! EMMA MCNAB HAS AN IMPRESSIVE TALLY OF TOP PLACINGS AND HAS REPRESENTED AUSTRALIA ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, INCLUDING THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES IN 2018.

“We take pride in our horses looking beautiful and feel it is important to turn them out to the highest standard. Coat and skin preparation for a show has two stages. The first is general care for the coat and skin on a daily basis and the second is cleaning and conditioning on the day before and the day of the show.

“When caring for our horses’ coats each day, we have a routine that consists of very thorough grooming with a body brush before and after (if not too sweaty) they are ridden. Once they have been groomed, we put a small amount of hot water in a bucket along with a couple of squirts of Absorbine Cooldown and then use a soft cloth to wipe this all over their bodies.

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“This helps to condition the coat along with removing any remaining dust/dirt from the coat. We find that if their skin is looking dry or rashy Cooldown herbal equine body wash is the best product to use. We also use Cooldown in cold water after exercise to soothe tired muscles. “When preparing the horses for a show our routine is a thorough shampoo with ShowSheen 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner. We find that if we use a soft body brush to scrub their coats with the shampoo you get their coats very clean. If you take good care of the horses’ coats and skin on a daily basis the preparation before a show is very simple and the horses already have clean and healthy coats. “On the day of the show we use the hot cloth technique again. This time we use the ShowSheen Finishing Mist. We spray it on to a soft cloth and then run the cloth all over their body. This both removes dust and dirt and it makes their coats super shiny.”

“Hoof care and preparation is an essential part of pre-event planning; the old adage ‘no hoof, no horse’ should always be in the back of your mind if you own horses.

“Firstly, it is wise to have your horse or pony shod well in advance of any event or show, if you can plan this. Some horses may be slightly foot sore for a day or two following being shod, so it’s wise to make sure any farriery is done at least a week before an event or show, especially if it’s an important competition. A couple of days before an event, double check all four shoes, to make sure they are all in the correct place, and no clenches are raised. “If your horse competes in studs, then always prepare the stud holes the day before an event; there is nothing worse than finding a small stone firmly wedged in a stud hole, half an hour before your dressage test! “I start by giving all four feet, including the soles, a good scrub, and then saturate the whole sole, including the frog, with Absorbine Hooflex Frog and Sole Care. I use Frog and Sole as part of my routine hoof care because it helps soothe the hoof and eliminates odours caused by bacteria and fungi without stinging or drying out the hoof – if I have an event coming up, then I make sure I use it the day before. “Preparing the feet like this before a competition, allows you to have a thorough check for any abnormalities of the sole and hoof capsule. All of the stud holes are cleaned out, tapped, and plugged with rubber bungs, which makes studding up at the event the next day, much easier! “After putting the studs in at the event, I always finish off by applying Absorbine Supershine Clear, which gives the hooves a beautiful shine, seems to last for days, and is completely non-greasy and nonsticky when it dries, so you can take studs out after competing, without covering your hands in grease!”

NATALIE MCGOLDRICK MA VETMB MRCVS, EQUINE VET AND EVENT RIDER, GRADUATED AS A VET FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND WENT ON TO SET UP HER OWN PRACTICE. SHE IS AN ADVANCED LEVEL EVENT RIDER HAVING REPRESENTED GB ON THE TEAM AT 3* AND HAS PRODUCED HORSES UP TO 4*

www.absorbine.co.uk

FILTACLEAR:

SUN AND ‘SECTS SHOW SEASON SECRET WEAPON!

New Zealand’s Murielle enjoying the show!

Finally, we can all enjoy time outdoors with fewer restrictions and more human and equine company. What a treat to be out competing again! However, as the days warm up, we are also competing with the effects of the sun and insect invasion.

Showing does not mean your sunburn-susceptible equine will go without protection. FiltaClear was specifically developed for animals with sensitive skins, ideal for protecting all white or pink non-pigmented skin areas from sun or dew burn, without attracting attention or overcolouring the area. FiltaClear can be applied thickly for turn-out sun protection or rubbed in to near-clear. This translucent feature is ideal for use on animals while at shows, providing maximum sun protection without an obvious appearance. Even a barely visible pale coating will still provide protection to the underlying area. FiltaClear is a total sun-blocking, reflective, pale white cream that rubs in to near-clear. It has an SPF of 25+, rated superior protection for UVA/UVB rays. FiltaClear can be applied daily to all areas prone to sun burning –nose, eyelids, ear tips, fetlocks, pasterns. All topical agents should be thoroughly washed off the area, with water or a non-soapy cleanser, every second to third day to prevent residue build up on the skin. Flies irritate, bite and can be the cause of some nappy behaviour in an already keyed-up horse when at the show, especially those sensitive ones. Prevention with insect repellants/deterrents over the whole body is a first-line choice and providing the horse with physical barriers to ease the misery from fly worry, work well. While at a show or out riding applying FiltaClear to exposed areas unable to be covered, will deter biting from flies – as the product proves too sticky for their liking.

Sweet itch is the most wellknown of the seasonal insect problems. The allergic reaction to the saliva of the Culicoides midge unfortunately has no known cure - therefore prevention is the key. The antibacterial agents within the cream will protect any underlying areas previously affected by fly activity. None of the ingredients in FiltaClear, or any of Aniwell’s products, appear on the FEI Prohibited substances list 01.01.2021.

www.aniwelluk.com

Suggested Products...

O-Mega Shine can easily attain and maintain a show winning coat with lustrous, flake free skin and can aid in the health of hooves. O-Mega Shine is made from 100% British cold-pressed hemp seed oil, one of the healthiest food oils available and one of the best sources of Omega Oils (3,6 and 9) which is probably the highest amount available on the market today. Hemp seed oil comes from a sustainable source without the use of pesticides or fertilisers and does not contain heavy metals and toxins such as Mercury which can be associated with fish oils from ocean pollution. The oil is free from any known allergens (lactose, gluten, nuts etc) and is low in saturated fat and makes a substantial contribution to the intake of essential fatty acids which are required for good health. Hemp seed oil is the only vegetarian source of the potent form of Omega 3. These essential fatty acids contribute not only to the skin and coat health, but also towards general health, circulation, joints, the immune system and to promote healthy hoof growth. RRP: from £31.50. www.animal-health.co.uk

EA Whitening Shampoo - With Charcoal Violet, Argan Oil and Coconut Cleansers that naturally highlight the coat, bringing out the brilliance in light coloured coats, leaving white socks whiter than white, and darker coats with a deep rich colour. RRP: 1ltr/£12.50. www.equineamerica.co.uk Silky Tail Detangler - Mane, tail and coat shine spray with a highly effective dust and dirt repellent action. The newly developed silicone oil microemulsion makes the hair soft and naturally shiny. The hair is tangle-free and easy to comb, it keeps its volume without feeling artificial. The powerful dust and dirt repellent action and tangle-free effect lasts for several days. Dermatologically tested and approved, for intensive but gentle care. RRP: 1ltr/£16.99. www.equine-america.co.uk

Be Seen This Spring

The Equisafety Self Adjusting Hat Band is a ‘must have’ whatever the time of year.

The hat band has elastic in two parts which means it fits most riding hat sizes. The inside features a sticky rubber that helps grip onto the hat, to help keep the hat band in place whilst riding. RRP: £13.99. Combine the hat band with the Equisafety Adjustable Neck Band - an ideal combination when hacking out as it helps provide more visibility of your horse. RRP: £21.99.

www.equisafety.com

Super Red Shampoo is a perfect horse shampoo to bring out the natural highlights of your chestnut, bay and dark roan horses and ponies. This highquality horse shampoo will help maintain good coat condition and leave a high gloss finish, leaving your horse looking healthy and clean. RRP: from £7.

Super White Shampoo is a pearlised, super concentrated horse shampoo for use on greys, dapples, flea bittens, light roans etc. With natural optical brighteners, Super White Shampoo will ‘bring out’ the many shades of natural colour in the coat, and produce a fabulous show finish. RRP: from £7.

Containing coconut oil, Super Black Shampoo is a non-greasy black horse shampoo and helps produce a high gloss sheen and great overall condition. Super Black Shampoo is a high-quality, concentrated grooming shampoo formulated for use on black and dark brown horses. RRP: from £7. All www.animal-health.co.uk