Showing HELP!

[username223]

I'm going to a local annual show on Sunday with my boy to do some jumping, and I thought i should take my mare too, because i feel she is ready to start getting back into things

.
She has been back in work after injury for about 6 weeks now and i have been working on getting her walk and trot perfect and just building her fitness up really, hacking and giving her good long canters across fields. I haven't done any jumping on her since before her injury and have done little cantering in the school, but her canter is her strongest pace so I'm not worried about that. I was thinking about doing Best Turned Out and was wondering how i should turn her out. She is a fine TB type grey mare. I have black (very new

) tack and she looks quite smart overall BUT if i give her a bath she is GUARANTEED to be skewbald the morning after (poo stains

) how do i keep her clean!! I have seen those lycra things and i could get one but im worried as she is sensitive to getting too warm in her stable and breaks out in lumps which eventually burst with pus (NOT nice) are these lycra things breathable? And i want to plait her mane (she has a perfect mane to plait ) but her tail is pulled is that ok?.. any tips thanks

 

[damsel]

Her tail is fine and yes plait her mane. I use a cooler rug which is very breathable as it is more like a net than a rug and that works well. Give her a big bed so it is less likely for the wee to sit on top. She will be fine and i always get up about 1-2 hours before just to do a bit of a touch up before i leave as well.

 

[Kenzo]

I've always found it easier to bath and plait in the moring of the show...when greys are involved, but then again I did have an absolute dirt bag who would get filthy no matter how much you covered him up and indeed how much clean fluffy bedding you put down, I used to get up in the night (when stabled at home) to poo pick so he wouldnot lay in his muck lol!

Plus I had access to hot water, so I could give him a warm bath straight away in the mornings.....I wouldnt suggest bathing in cold water first thing in the morning,...dont think your horse would ever forgive you that.

 

[pelly]

Echo the above! Dress Circle do "coveralls" and there from Australian so should be breathable.

i take it yourll have a pelham/ double bridle on?

 

[username223]

no i dont have a double bridle or a pelham as its just a local show for a bit of fun but i will use a cavesson noseband and just the loose ring she has in the pic

and thanks for the tips

i think i will try a Dress Circle coverall and see how it goes...it says its siutable for use all year and keeps the horse cool so she shouldnt get lumps, but thanks guys! =]

 

[FMM]

The dress circle lycra body suits are meant to be breathable so she should be OK. However, I would not try this the night before the show - wait until you have a few days when she is not doing anything important if you think she may have a reaction to them.

 

[Goya]

I can sympathise. I had a grey and had to wash her 5 times (yes-5 times) in two hours when I did Quadrille qualifier some years ago. Everytime I turned round, she had managed to get dirty!
Hey, but I still loved her drearly.