Tame his mane and tail
If your horse often comes in from the field looking like he’s been dragged through a hedge backwards, tidy hair can seem a challenge, but as Rachael explains, planning ahead before your competition works wonders. “Bathing your horse’s mane and tail a couple of days before competition is ideal. If you do it on the day, the hair’s just too slippy to plait,” she says. “If Marcus’s mane is looking a little thick, I’ll pull it a week before the show, usually after I’ve ridden as the hair comes out a lot easier if his body is warm. “For his tail, I pull it and then use trimmers to trim down the side. After this, I’ll wet it and pop a bandage on top just before we’re set to travel. It helps to keep his tail looking really sleek.” Amy adds: “For my horses, I wash their tails the day before and cover them in Absorbine Showsheen. Then I leave it until morning when it’s much easier to brush through.”