I'm trying to get Blaze to go with me to the Gulf Coast Arabian Horse Show the first weekend in December. I've never been to a show on my own before and would like to see if you can help with some questions.

I'm renting a stall but don't know how many bags of shavings (10 cubic ft) to order with my entry. My horse doesn't have a stall with shavings, so I don't have a clue how many bags it takes to make the initial bedding and how much she will go through in 3 days. Will buy/borrow a shavings rake for her stall.
Question: How much bedding should I order?

Am planning on bringing all of my grooming stuff and clippers, etc. Will bring a bucket, hose, shampoo & stuff for a bath the first day and to wash feet and legs the other days.
Question: Do you think I need to buy her a cooler, she'll be kinda hairy that weekend...

I'm planning on bring an electrical cord, step stool and heater and/or fan. I'm planning on bringing 2 buckets, 1 for water the other for feed and have the stall hook things already.
Question: Is there anything else that you seasoned horse show participants and trainers can think of that I may need, but may not be thinking of???

Hi Newzew,
Try ordering 3 bags initially. You will be able to buy more there if you need thes. If the stalls are on dirt or clay you may not need any more. If they are on concrete or asphalt and your horse seems a little stiff you will probably need to add more.
While you probably don't need to buy a cooler - one is a very handy thing to have. After you bathe your horse or if she gets sweaty, it will help keep her dry faster, both by keeping her warmer and by wicking the moisture away from her body. They also make handy things for their owners to curl up in if the temp drops (what do they call them there - blue northers ?) or the day gets a little long.
You will want a tub or bucket to take the soiled bedding to the manure pile or pit. I used to keep a big pickle bucket (5 gallon bucket) and one of those little manure forks in my trailer. The little fork fits inside of the pickle bucket and is just the right size for occasional picks. Some shows want you to dump the manure in a dumpster, so having something that you can lift is helpful.
If you are using a tack stall, bring a padlock and chain. Unfortunately, there are people who visit horseshows just to go "shopping", so try not to leave anything of any value unattended. If you are not using a tack stall put a padlock on your showbox.
Toss a small carpet square or piece of rubber flooring into your box. Put this under your horse's foot when you do her feet, to keep your polish dauber out of the dirt.
As far as what else to bring - a folding chair, twine to hang buckets, a small first aid kit, liniment, towels, touch-up cleaner for tack, clothes brush, a Tide stain stick for slobbers on show clothes, lunge line (doubles as extra lead, clothesline, etc), TREATS, and a smile.

Bring a hammer!!! I can't tell you how many time's I've found random screws or nails sticking out that would ruin a show weekend.

Check the stall thoroughly before bedding.

Do I put all 3 bags in at once? They are dirt floors...

A big square cooler or one of the more fitted ones? I found a big square one with a more fitted neck on ebay and thought I would bid on it.

Do I need to lock my horse's stall while I'm away? I only paid $800 for her, but she's worth a million dollars to me? I worry about fire safety if I lock it though...

Okay Audie - you mentioned hoof polish - my horse has kindof stripey hooves, so i'll need to buy clear and black, correct? I also read somewhere that if you spray them with hairspray (after they're dry) that they will repell the dirt better... Is this right?

I'm showing MR Hunter and my horse's mane & tail are scroungy from not being taken care of in over a year. So, I plan to braid both and am thinking of a mud knot for her tail, since it's really only goes to her hocks in a nice full way... What do you think of a mud Knot to give her a finished look, instead of rattyness???? (I know I need bands/yarn and hair spray for this) I also would like to put some quarter marks on her since she will be fuzzy enough for her to stand out....

What other grooming items am I going to need? (Besides my standard brushes/hoofpick/clippers/stuff.)

Oh yeah, what size clipper blades do I need to take with me? (I think there's a forum here on show clipping so I'll check back in a minute..,)

I would also take a hairdryer! I always use one, especially in winter, it helps dry the wet patches that didn't quite dry in time! I also like to spray a coat conditioner/shine called World Champion Pepi spray...but there are many good products out there. Wow...the show list is endless really!...and I agree...bring a hammer...it will be your savior from pulling nails to hammering nails! Don't forget a first aid kit!

If your mare's tail is ratty after the tail's been braided, it'd do the knot if it makes it look more finished or polished. I'd use the clear hoof polish only on your horse's hooves...never heard of the hair spray trick tho! Some people prefer to sand the hooves using different grit from rougher to super fine to smooth out the ridges and use steel wool to buff and clean...some people like to add clear shoe polish paste to the hoof prior to adding the polish for a smooth look as well...if you are showing hunter you may not need to get super detailed about the hooves, but I do like them to have a uniform and neat look to them.

I would put all 3 bags in the stall at once and replace the shavings as needed, generally a bale every other day unless your mare really pees alot! A square cooler is fine...if it doesn't have ties for the chest you can use metal clamps to hold it on...even tied, they tend to crawl backwards on the walk back from the washrack..especially on a freshly bodyclipped horse! Locking your stall or not is a personal choice. I've done both. Good luck at your show and post pics!

p.s. I'm going to go look in my files and see if I have my list...if I do, I will copy/paste it here in this thread for you!

Thanks Rebecca! I appreciate all of this help!

Blaze will be fuzzy and I know I don't have a chance to win this way, but she's pretty much an outside horse without a stall, so I can't afford to compromise her health for my hobbies, at least until I get her to a barn.

You do the best you can and just clip her up to clean the fuzzy points on her face, elbows, hocks, coronet bands, fetlocks, fronts and backs of the cannon bones, around the round part of her butt and maybe nick some of the long fuzzies sticking out of her ears without going into the ear. There are plenty of places to clip without compromising her health! I have been there longer than I've had a barn and it CAN be done! Good luck!

newzew wrote:

Thanks Rebecca! I appreciate all of this help! Blaze will be fuzzy and I know I don't have a chance to win this way, but she's pretty much an outside horse without a stall, so I can't afford to compromise her health for my hobbies, at least until I get her to a barn.

_________________
Rebecca

*You are a beautiful soul*
www.McShaneArabians.com

Hello,
The cooler on e-bay ought to do just fine.
I would not suggest locking your horse into her stall for safety reasons. Should the building have to be evacuated or should she have problems (like getting cast) in the stall, you and others would have quick access to assist her.
Since she has a long coat, after you bathe her, apply whatever coat shine you are going to use (ie: Showsheen, Pepi, etc.) to her while she is still wet, sweatscrape it through her coat, and then let her dry. You will get a more even result, as in the hair won't stick together and you won't get a streaky shine. You can apply more shine later before you show.
You only need the clear hoof polish. If the surfaces of her feet are really rough, it will be a good idea to blend them a little with sand paper. Scrub the white parts really well. I have used a neutral paste wax under the hoof polish. It will not change the color and helped to smooth the surfaces out, and enhanced the shine of the hoof polish. Apply it, let it dry and buff, then apply the polish over it.
If she is really fuzzy, you might only get away with using a #10 blade on her. You really don't want obvious layers. Do do her ears if you can. Clean up her lower legs, bridle path, throatlatch and between the jaw bones, her muzzle.....if you can blend well you may try to shorten some of the fuzz around the base of her ears and beside the bridle path.
Make sure that you, your horse and your tack are as spotless as possible - it will convey that you do care about your presentation and respect for the judge's opinion. Make sure your bit and stirrups do not get neglected.
Wash the mane and tail thoroughly - it will help tame the scuffies a bit.
Do braid.
You can edit this list, but would I take:
Shampoo, conditioner, sweat scraper, sponge, towels, cooler, spray shine (Important - if you use a silicone based shine like showsheen DO NOT apply it to the saddle area...your saddle WILL slide.), hoof polish, rubber bands, mane comb, alligator clips or the big clampy clips (for holding mane & tail sections), hair spray or setting gel (sometimes the gel comes in handy if you have little whisps that are sticking up that need to be schlocked down into place), clean brushes, hoof pick, sand paper, paste wax, hoof polish, more towels, baby oil (or alternate shiny substance for the face - if her facial hair is very long, use sparingly to keep hair from sticking together),
an easy to use tack cleaner for touch ups ( I use Bick 4 for between class wipes), and baby wipes. Tack (extra pad and extra reins.)
For yourself, comb or brush, mirror, whatever makeup you prefer, whatever method of restraining your hair that you prefer, oversized jumpsuit or sweats to wear over your breeches to keep clean, show clothes, hat/clothes brush, the previously mentioned Tide Stain Stick, a damp cloth for boots, spurs or whip if you use them.
Liniment, wraps, blankets or sheets. Lunge line, extra halter, extra lead, leather punch (optional), hammer, twine, chain or cable for tack stall, padlock, buckets, stall pick, bucket or tub for manure.
Plan on extra hay (I usually plan on 1/2 bale/day). Pre-package your horse's grain meals...zip-lock bags work great.
First aid items for you both - vet-wrap, ointments or wound sprays of your choice, band-aids, aspirin, sunscreen, etc.
Trash bag. Snacks and beverages for you. Pens, Copy of Registration papers and membership cards.



If Major posts her list then you can use both for ideas of what will work best for you.

I haven't been able to find my list...I'm thinking I just typed and printed it for Scottsdale without saving it...I have endless files that I've been through...but Audie's list is excellent...and you can modify it to your needs as you go to shows and find out what works best for you!

Wow! Great list Audie! I love lists! Thanks for taking the time to post it! I'm already starting to shop for stuff....

Touch base in the Region 9 thread. There are a bunch of folks heading to the Christmas show.

Hi Natalie!

I actually started the Christmas show thread and have found out from the show secreatry that we can postmark our entries by the deadline (11/13) and put "Ammy Army" in the stall with line and she will put us all together.

I even have a horse who is almost getting into the trailer now! Yahoo!

Ok, cool! Then you are well on your way. I know my friend Kristen is going. I'm giving her the stall drapes for the R9 Regiment. Make sure to BUNDLE UP because if it's cold, that wind will whip right thorugh you over there.

Oh man! I don't even want to think of it being cold! Can't it be decent weather???? (Of course, for you yankees, we're talking highs in the 60's here...)