Showing people & shiny horses

Mule

Mule

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I'm thinking of doing a working hunter class. The thing I've noticed is that the showing horses are 10x as shiny as every other horse. How do you get them so shiny? Of course I have a grey who enjoys mud baths :rolleyes4:
 
in your case it's purple shampoo and chalk preferably a tail bag left on all year, bandaging the night before and buying thin rugs to cover as much of your horse as you can to keep clean, I love sparkle spray as a finishing spray it just makes them shine.
 
Many (not all I'm sure) of the competitive show horses will have hours spent on them prepping, be given quite a lot of grub and in addition they are often loaded with rugs, sometimes to the point of breaking out.

In order to balance show turnout versus horse welfare I suggest just a cotton sheet, a good vit/min powder and an extra oil source but then a very good dose of elbow grease. Keep the horse happy and healthy and they shine anyway.
 
Strapping and hot clothing. Many judges hate the use of show sheen etc.

Keeping a coat in show condition isn't the work of a week. It comes from feeding correctly, clipping at the right time, strapping (the art of banging the horse on the muscly bits - they do actually like it!) good regular bathing and hot clothing to raise any grease. The grooming and polishing until your arms fall off! Yes they are often rugged to keep a light coat - but not always as rug rubs will write the horse off for a whole season.
 
I have a light waterproof rug that will cover his neck. I can't see myself spending hours on prep but oil, vit & minerals, definitely.

I already have purple shampoo and while it is better than normal shampoo I think the problem is that he's not white grey, he's flea bitten. Even when he's clean his coat doesn't look bright. Is there anything that can be done for his coat colour in particular?
 
Shay said:
Strapping and hot clothing. Many judges hate the use of show sheen etc.

Keeping a coat in show condition isn't the work of a week. It comes from feeding correctly, clipping at the right time, strapping (the art of banging the horse on the muscly bits - they do actually like it!) good regular bathing and hot clothing to raise any grease. The grooming and polishing until your arms fall off! Yes they are often rugged to keep a light coat - but not always as rug rubs will write the horse off for a whole season.
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Sounds like hard work :D Does the grease make the coat shinier?
 
mule said:
I have a light waterproof rug that will cover his neck. I can't see myself spending hours on prep but oil, vit & minerals, definitely.

I already have purple shampoo and while it is better than normal shampoo I think the problem is that he's not white grey, he's flea bitten. Even when he's clean his coat doesn't look bright. Is there anything that can be done for his coat colour in particular?
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A brown based fleabitten grey will never look as shiny or clean as a grey/ black based grey which can sparkle in the sunshine so you need to make sure everything else is done to the best standard possible to help him stand out, trimming and plaiting correctly to enhance his conformation and condition, daily grooming to bring out the shine rather than just relying on bathing can make a huge difference it doesn't have to take hours just a really good brush over after exercise when the pores are open will bring out a shine, use a body brush and curry comb properly for 5 mins each side and the coat will improve, if you have longer some days then spend time doing him really thoroughly and you will not need to bath him as he will be clean, any stains, the legs and tail will still need washing.

Most of the shine comes from within, good feeding and exercise are the priority.
 
be positive said:
A brown based fleabitten grey will never look as shiny or clean as a grey/ black based grey which can sparkle in the sunshine so you need to make sure everything else is done to the best standard possible to help him stand out, trimming and plaiting correctly to enhance his conformation and condition, daily grooming to bring out the shine rather than just relying on bathing can make a huge difference it doesn't have to take hours just a really good brush over after exercise when the pores are open will bring out a shine, use a body brush and curry comb properly for 5 mins each side and the coat will improve, if you have longer some days then spend time doing him really thoroughly and you will not need to bath him as he will be clean, any stains, the legs and tail will still need washing.

Most of the shine comes from within, good feeding and exercise are the priority.
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Thank you. That's really helpful.
 
Mine, for any competition is bathed using a brand shampoo ie. Supreme/ wahl/ carr day martin etc. With purple or blue shampoo added (is bright bay) then whilst wet supreme products deluxe coat spray. Will wear a lycra body overnight/ travelling. Sparkle spray with the finishing touches.

Is fed outshine for both coat shine/ muscles. Is strapped and hot clothed when needed. I find certain linings of rugs helps or hinders the coat. Not a fan of over rugging/ sweating them. I find for him, good feeding helps shine come from within even without added oil and regular exercise seems to help.

Sorry that turned into an essay.
 
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Thanks to everyone who answered. Re Linseed. Should I cut down slightly on his food if giving him linseed oil? He's not overweight but it wouldn't take much for him to get there.
 
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The amount of calories in linseed oil won't make that much difference to his weight.

Also, give a full, warm, cleansing bath a few days before, not the night before. Bathing takes the oils out of the coat and the coat on even the shiniest bay horses will look dull in comparison.
 
Grey horses are good as they stand out anyway but not so good when they emerge covered in grass stains or poo at 4am when you are about to plait up. I must admit being a pressed for time person mine didn't really get that much brushing but a really good wash the day before, probably several washes of the tail to get it amazing white to dazzle the judge and then a bit of show shine/gloss on his hocks and knees (which were still dark coloured). He was successful at pretty high level so the amazing dazzling tail must have worked.
 
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