At 20:51:00 on 16.02.10, Aztec wrote:
I would like to transport my horse to local events in the summer, but I have never done it before. I have bought a trailer but I am unsure about the preperation required for grooming, feeding, tacking up etc prior to the event. All help would be appreciated. Advice on pleating, wardrobe, when to water and feed before, during and after events would be very useful. Are there any good books for advice anyone can suggest. Thanks Aztec

At 14:02:34 on 18.02.10, CarolineP wrote:
Hi Aztec, I used to compete a lot but haven't done anything for years now, so I'm sure lots of people will have more up to date ideas than I do! I think the first thing to say is: Take it easy. Do it for fun - at least to start off with. Most local shows have minimus jumping or little dressage classes that you can enter on the day. Just riding round the showground will be good experience for you and your horse (unless your horse is a seasoned competitor, of course). If you're competing at local level, you won't need to adjust your feeding regime. Make sure you take hay and water with you. Clean your tack. If you're going to bath the horse, don't do it immediately before trying to plait up - the mane will be too clean and slippery to plait easily! I always sew plaits in (a bit old fashioned, I know) because they look so much better and they stay in place. Pull the horse's mane nice and short, so that your plaits are small and neat. You need an odd number of plaits on the neck. If the horse has a short neck, a greater number of plaits makes it look longer. Similarly, if the horse's neck is a bit long, make fewer plaits. a plaited tail always looks nice and is easier than trying to keep a pulled tail going all the time. Hair gel is useful for smoothing down any stray bits. Practise loading the horse before you ever try to take it anywhere. Also practise riding your horse away from its companions, so that you don't get any napping in the ring. Practise your show, if you're showing. Make it simple, on both reins, and within your capabilities. Stay calm -it's exciting, but it's for fun! I'm sure there are lots of good books that will give you ideas, but hope this helps for now. Kind regards, Caroline
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