With the beginning of show season in the near future, check out these top show hacks to up your game! These clever tips and tricks, shared by seasoned riders, will help you stay organized, save money, and keep your horse and gear in top shape. 🐴✨
- Triple the Bands, Triple the Security!
When braiding your horse’s mane, use three rubber bands: one at the end, fold the braid and band again, then fold once more and secure with the third band. This method ensures your braids stay intact, no matter how wild the ride! Pro tip: try using Sally Beauty Supply rubber bands – they’re super stretchy and don’t break easily. - Power Up Your Trailer Toolkit
Equip your trailer with essential tools like an impact wrench, fire extinguisher, tire inflator, and a bright floodlight. These gadgets can be lifesavers on the road and at events. Oh, and don’t forget your spare tire! - Shine On with Olive Oil
A spritz of olive oil spray adds a brilliant shine to tails and hooves. A light dusting on the coat can also enhance your horse’s gleam without making it slippery. - Stay Ahead with a Checklist
Create a thorough written checklist for packing your trailer before heading to a horse trial. This ensures you don’t forget essentials, and consider carrying spare reins and girths for those “just in case” moments. Also consider adding a small dry erase board to an easily accessible place in your trailer. Not only can you use it for listing your ride times, but encouraging messages to yourself for the day of the event, too! - Keep It Clean with a Laundry Basket
Place a laundry basket in your trailer to toss in dirty items like saddle pads and towels. This makes transporting them to the washer a breeze after a long day at the show. - Organize with Kits and Buckets
Pack items in categories using kits or buckets. For example, have a grooming kit with brushes and sprays, and a separate washing kit with shampoos and scrapers. This organization makes it easy to grab what you need when you need it. - Stay Cool with Quick Boot Removal
After cross-country, remove your horse’s boots promptly to allow tendons to cool down, reducing the risk of injury. - Efficient Stall Maintenance
Use a small flexible tub to pick stalls during the day. This minimizes mess and prevents your horse from stepping in or laying down in manure, keeping them cleaner for longer. - Tail Protection
Wrap your horse’s tail and use a tail bag after washing to keep it clean until you’re ready to show. This is especially useful for horses with light-colored tails. - Plan Ahead
Adopt the mindset of “If it can be done now, do it.” Pack your show bag, shine your boots, and clean your tack a few days in advance. This reduces stress and ensures you’re ready to perform at your best. - Learn How to Tie a Trucker’s Hitch Knot
The trucker’s hitch is the ultimate knot for tying down loads, tarps, or guy lines on a tent. It’s easy to undo later without breaking a sweat. Learning this knot will save you time, effort, and frustration when securing gear or fixing a last-minute setup. How to tie a trucker’s hitch. - Helmet Makeover with Car Scratch Cream
Got a scuffed plastic-shell helmet? A dab of car scratch cream works wonders to remove minor scratches, leaving your helmet looking polished and almost new. - Hydration Hack for Horse Shows
Instead of buying packs of water bottles for a horse show, grab a 3-5 gallon water jug stand, a refillable water jug, and some dispenser valves, and for around $30, you’ll have enough water to hydrate you and your crew for the entire weekend (or more). Just set it up, refill your bottles as needed, and save a ton of money while staying eco-friendly! - Tire Shine for Winter Riding Boots
Keep tire shine (it doesn’t freeze!) in your horse trailer to spiff up your boots all winter long. It’ll give them a quick shine and keep you looking sharp no matter the season.
Embrace these tips to enhance your show experience and keep your horse in top form.
Happy riding! 🐎🌟