Ever wondered what is keeping your horse from topping the carts in the halter classes? He’s got great conformation and everyone says he’s gorgeous (which you of course know), but somehow you can’t seem to win at your breed shows. Maybe there’s something you can’t help that is causing him to just place in the middle, like a long back or slight over-bite. But maybe it’s just the way he’s been conditioned and prepared that’s holding you back.

One of the most important parts of any halter class is how well you have prepared your horse for the show ring (actually that’s a huge part of any class). If you don’t have a well conditioned, perfectly groomed horse, you can kiss the trophy good bye, even if his conformation is flawless.

To begin with, your horse needs regular exercise to create the rippling muscles that judges like to see on halter horses. This means lots of trotting and backing! Trotting creates even muscles on each side of the horse and helps build both the shoulders and hind end to create balance. Backing builds up a horse’s strength in his hind end. So if you have a horse that is a little thin in the flanks, get backing!

To create a clean throat latch and trim neckline all you need is a neck sweat. If your horse has a nice neck it still doesn’t hurt to use a short throat latch sweat a few times a week while he stands in his stall. This will keep his throat latch clean and create a nice tie between his head and neck. For a horse with a bulkier neck, you will need to use a full neck sweat every day for about an hour while he stands in his stall. For either method make sure you keep the neck sweat clean and rinse the horse’s neck after sweating it. If you don’t the dirt can cause skin irritation and itchiness that will encourage him to rub and scratch against things (which could mean major trauma for his mane).

The next step to an outstanding halter horse is to make sure that his coat shines (even without Show Sheen). Part of this has to do with his nutrition. Check with a nutritionist to make sure that he is getting all that he needs, and add supplements to make up for anything he may be lacking. Additives such as flax seed and corn or rice oil will really help make a shiny coat, but be careful giving oils to horses that are high strung as it will only make things worse!

Also, your grooming from day to day will effect how your horse looks on show day. If you regularly curry and brush your horse, his coat will stay in nicer condition. But, don’t feel you need to wash him all the time! Over washing will deplete a horse’s coat of natural oils and leave it dry and dull. New grooming tools, such as a grooming block or vacuum, will clean your horse while at the same time conditioning their coat, and many horses love the feel of being vacuumed!

Finally, take care of that mane and tail! A horse’s mane and tail make a huge impact on their overall appearance. DO NOT brush or comb your horse’s tail daily! This will actually cause more broken hair and damage than leaving it alone. Instead wash his tail and condition it, then spray something like Show Sheen or detangler in it and comb it (starting at the bottom and slowly working up). When it is all combed out, spray in more conditioner (I find that cattle conditioner works well) and let the tail dry. Once dry, braid it in a large French braid, if you can, starting several inches down the tail bone and going all the way to the end. Put the horse’s tail in a tail bag (or a tube sock can be substituted) and tie it securely through the top of the braid. Doing all this protects your horse’s tail from getting caught or rubbed off. Take the tail out of the bag and repeat the whole procedure about once a week or often enough to keep it clean, but don’t over do it.

With all this preparation your horse should be in the best condition of his life and all that will be needed are your regular show techniques for the finishing touches. Remember to clip his bridle path, ears, face, and legs and use a razor on his muzzle the day of the show. Lots of Show Sheen, hoof polish and face shiner will also make him look ready for the show ring. Add a banded mane and a tail extension (if needed and accepted by your breed), slip on his show halter and your outfit and you are ready to walk in and win!

Best of luck in all your showing,

Connie Colvin