A few turnout tips please

[giggles mum]

I was told at a show last year that I should use a metal cleaner on my bit to get yellowish stains off the areas that go in the corners of the mouth. Can anyone recommend one that is safe to use on a bit?

When I plait, there are always frizzy bits escaping from the plaits which don't look very tidy. You can see it to some extent on this pic although not that clearly, they didn't look this good in real life!:

What's best for this - hairspray/gel/water? again, can someone please tell me one that can be used on horses?

Assuming my long boots still look OK by the time I go to a show, should I wear them (Sazon Equileather) or leather jodhpur boots? I am 15 so technically it's correct to wear joddy boots I guess...but the rest of my turnout isn't particularly correct either

and it's only the tack and turnout class of a PC show, so I think it's more about how clean you are and how neat your plaits are than whether your jacket and boots are the right colour. Long boots would probably be easier to ride in than short as they're what I usually ride in, and this does matter as I'd be doing a junior rider class later in the day.

Any other completely random turnout hints are very much appreciated!

 

[6410]

Well best way of cleaning your bit if you have one is stick it in the dishwasher, its really does clean them good

 

[giggles mum]

Yes I've heard that, good idea but the thing is I can't take it home as it belongs to the riding school!

 

[PennyJ]

If it's a stainless steel bit and it's like limescale on it in the corners, then I have used LimeLite which has completely removed the staining. Of course you must rinse it off really well, then wash in hot soapy water and rinse rinse rinse again.

Boots - at your age you're so borderline that I think you will be fine with your long boots. I'm sure you'll have them clean as you can get them (Don't forget to get someone to wipe the soles of the boots absolutely clean once you're mounted and make sure you've picked all the dirt out of the ridges in the soles when you clean them the night before)

Plaits - normal "human" extra strong hairspray works well on those little sticky up bits.

Good luck!

 

[giggles mum]

thanks that's really helpful

In the past I've always done my plaits with bands, but they ping out so many times during the day that I'm wondering if sewing them would be worth the initial extra time. Is it very fiddly to sew them?

 

[annaellie]

On your plaits I use human hairspray or gel and always sew them in I never use bands I find at the end it always looks tider,

 

[icklechlo]

sewing really isnt as hard has it seems, it works so much better than banding and looks so much better too! just make sure you get the right colour thread and a big enough needle! if you are going to sew, figure out how much thread you need, get about 4 needles and cut them to size and thread the night before, saves time, especially if you have someone with you who can rethread while you are sewing!

 

[MrsMagoo]

Theres a clearner made by Sprenger I have that brings bits up lovely and clean and is ok on the horses etc....cant remember the name doh!!!

Normal gel/hairspray if horsey allows for the plaits...

 

[giggles mum]

Thanks that's a useful tip, I'd never have thought of it!

 

[giggles mum]

Is it a horsy product or something that would be sold in a supermarket etc?

 

[FMM]

Plait the mane, hold the end of the plait with the band, then just sew the actually plait in. Much easier and it looks completely sewn.

For your number either use plaiting thread (NOT the awful plastic twine they give you at shows) or preferably dark elastic. Elastic is best as you can use it over and over again. Tie a loop at each end and hook it over the buttons of your jacket. It is also easier to get off than anything else at the end of the show.

I have used Quicbraid for plaits, but any hair gel would be fine.

 

[giggles mum]

Thanks for that FMM, especially the number tip. In the past it's been a pain in the bum because I wear my body protector for jumping classes but don't like wearing it for showing classes, so the plastic twine has to be cut and a new piece found etc...elastic sounds much better!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

I have a cheap electric toothbrush from Wilkinson, it really gets into the difficult bits on a bit. I always finish off cleaning it by popping it into soak in a bowl of boiling water...it really brings up a shine.
Tack and turnout is judged on your clothing too! If you're riding a pony then jodh boots are correct, but on a horse you'll get away with long boots.

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

Water for plaits! We get killed is we leave the string showing?! Make sure you pull it when your horse is warm but not sweaty as will brake hair and you get those short bits! Jodpur boots are painful!

 

[MrsMagoo]

It's this stuff:
http://www.windgatesaddlery.com/product_...f0e54327eea6b96

Brill and brings bits up really shiny, especially my spenger gold coloured one

FMM - Ooh excellant tip about the number, will invest in some elastic...

 

[TGM]

Lots of good tips there from everybody - I would just add don't forget to take some baby wipes with you, they are invaluable for wiping off those bits of dirt and stains that suddenly seem to appear minutes before you enter the ring!