Detailed here is a list of equipment you may need for your show season and links to options. You do not need to buy the exact brand, but the ones listed below are the ones we have found work best.

Shampoo & Conditioner
These are preferably unscented and designed for sensitive skin. While there are many equine specific options you often end up paying more for the same product. The most popular equine shampoo and conditioners are Mane ‘n Tail and Cowboy Magic which can be purchased at Runnings, Fleet Farm and TSC. Other options include Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and Baby Dove Hypoallergenic Wash.

Mane & Tail Spray
We go through a lot of Mane & Tail Spray in a weekend. This spray helps prevents too much wear and tear on the horse’s mane and tail due to repeat brushing. Mane n’ Tail make a decent detangler, as does Cowboy Magic. My personal favorite is Showsheen. There is also the option to make your own by mixing 1/4 conditioner with 3/4 water in a spray bottle.

White Horses
If you are lucky enough to be riding a white horse, or a horse with white legs, you are going to be battling with yellow spots. This can seem like a daunting task, but there are some items that help make your life easier. You will need a hard plastic curry comb, green spray, and potato starch flour.

Banding & Braiding
If you choose to band or braid your horse you will need certain grooming supplies. Banding Bands in any color you choose, along with a good quality hairbrush, and a braiding tool. Mousse or hair gel can be helpful if the mane is particularly thick or difficult to tame.

Tack Cleaning
The quickest way to clean tack is to use a Glycerin Spray. However, using this too frequently can grind dirt into the leather. Glycerin is great for wiping down leather that is already reasonably clean, so for day to day cleaning of your equipment it is just fine. To deep clean your field boots, and keep them nicer for longer, a better option is a spray bottle of Dawn Dish Soap mixed with water parts 1:6 used with a soft rag. After, a proper leather conditioner such as Bic 4 Leather Conditioner will help moisturize the leather. It is your choice which you use. Additional items that can be helpful are a soft sponge for the leather conditioner, plenty of soft rags, and a hard bristled toothbrush to get into cracks. Scour Pads are particularly helpful for getting bits clean.

Author: Admin

I grew up in riding and training in Sweden and was fortunate to enough to have the opportunity to ride many different horses and ponies, including FEI trained schoolmasters, young green-broke Arabians, Icelandic ponies, and former police patrol horses. I trained in a variety of disciplines with a focus on classical dressage, while also studying jumping, long-lining, groundwork, and colt starting. I have also shown and competed in Western gaming in the United States. My speciality is in working with horses with behavioral difficulties or movement challenges.