What can I do to improve HIM?

Shantara

Shantara

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Well, I started a thread a while back and got a list of everything I need for in-hand showing :)

However, what can I do with/to Ned to improve how he looks?
What do you do to get the coat extra shiny, or to build the neck up a bit? Etc, etc...

Thanks in advance and be kind, please!!

Here's a couple of pics.
NedGood009.jpg

NedTrailer018-1.jpg

(Ignore Sharkie and his random boots! No idea why they were on, but they didn't stay on for long)
 
Put a duvet on him, and lunge in very tight side reins. It's the only way to win everything.
If you're doing it for fun though, nothing he's fine, just enjoy a day out with your horse
 
Hot cloth-ing works wonders for a shiny coat. Put a capful of Dettol and a slosh of Barrier Lavender Wash into a bucket of very hot water (as hot as you can stand to put your hand in). Dunk a tea-towel in to the water, then wring it out really well and lay it against the horse for a few seconds to "steam" him a section at a time, then rub with the cloth to lift away the grease. Rinse the cloth and repeat all over.
I then apply a light spray of Showsheen (but not on the saddle area as it makes it slippy!).
 
JingleBell Django said:
Hot cloth-ing works wonders for a shiny coat. Put a capful of Dettol and a slosh of Barrier Lavender Wash into a bucket of very hot water (as hot as you can stand to put your hand in). Dunk a tea-towel in to the water, then wring it out really well and lay it against the horse for a few seconds to "steam" him a section at a time, then rub with the cloth to lift away the grease. Rinse the cloth and repeat all over.
I then apply a light spray of Showsheen (but not on the saddle area as it makes it slippy!).
Click to expand...

Oh excellent :D thank you! I'll have to give it a go :) He's quite shiny usually, but I think he could be better :D
 
Lots of grooming finishing up with goat hair brushes (Horse a Tack have a reasonably priced one) don't forget the trusty stable rubber - Tescos value tea towels are pretty good after theyve been washed once

Also consider strapping him, I know it's not always a popular thing but if done properly it's really quite good

Hill work and trotting poles are good for top line
 
Maybe start asking him to work properly when you're out hacking and schooling? Reg works properly when he's ridden, unless he's doing fast work (or is having a chilled hack) as it helps establish 'when I'm riding, you're listening and working'- his topline is very good as a result.

The other thing is maybe rug slightly more to avoid the fluffy coat? Reg is what people on here would consider overrugged for other reasons, but a side effect is a very sleek coat. (he's suspected ESPM, and now he's kept very warm and on a high-oil diet, he's a much happier horse, before any jumps on me).
 
WelshD said:
Lots of grooming finishing up with goat hair brushes (Horse a Tack have a reasonably priced one) don't forget the trusty stable rubber - Tescos value tea towels are pretty good after theyve been washed once

Also consider strapping him, I know it's not always a popular thing but if done properly it's really quite good

Hill work and trotting poles are good for top line
Click to expand...

Thanks ^^ We often encounter hills when we ride :) nothing big, but if I can go up a hill, I do! Will also start more trotting poles :)

Can I ask, what is strapping and how does one do it properly?
 
With the hot towelling, if he is very fluffy, also comb through with a plastic curry to get to the base of the coat. But, if he lives out or goes out unrugged don't, it removes too much grease. Best thing for coats though is feed. Hard to recommend without knowing his feed requirements, but basically oil, either oil based feed like linseed or oil added to feed. Grooming & coat shines etc just improve on that.
I'm not a showing person, so no idea what the correct route is. However for topline for inhand I've always relied on their topline from being ridden & worked correctly.
And make sure he's spot on inhand, will walk, trot, turn, square halt etc nicely.
 
Strapping is a can of worms I think, probably the better clip on you tube is the Laura B grooming your horse clip, the strapping is what she calls 'banging'

Some people are too rough about it and that does cause debate

You can get leather pads for strapping or use a hay pad (a wisp - I am sure you'd enjoy making one of those) or a tea towel
 
Top-line and muscle is work, and work alone - hills are your friend.

For shine look at the possibility of adding a bit of linseed to his feed - great for skin, hooves, coat and general well-being, it's a horsey 'superfood'.

If he's part-stabled then regular daily grooming is good, most horses love a good brush. I rarely bath even in summer, hot clothing with a dash of vinegar will bring up a shine on a bay.

Getting a good in-hand show in the ring comes from lots of practice so you are both working together. I find I need to 'condition' myself to be able to keep pace and let the horse really show itself off, so pony and I go for miles 'in-hand hacking' at walk and trot (but you may be fitter than me!!)
 
Thanks everyone :D

He currently doesn't get any extra feed, just haylage and grass. He's out 24/7 now (since he decided the 'big field' wasn't full of lions!)
He's very very good in-hand :) I've done 2 classes with him as 'testers' and I honestly expected to either be dragged along, or having to drag him, but he was fab :)
You're right about me though! I'm skinny, so people assume I'm fit. WRONG!
I might nip into Horsatack to see what they have as far as linseed goes :) It won't make him 'fizzy' will it?
 
The micronised linseed isnt suppose to send them fizzy but the oil does ... From the research ive done.

I heard about horseatack today in MK so gona try and visit soon :D
 
Antw23uk said:
The micronised linseed isnt suppose to send them fizzy but the oil does ... From the research ive done.

I heard about horseatack today in MK so gona try and visit soon :D
Click to expand...

You should :D it's quite a nice shop! I'm in there all the time :P
The staff used to be a bit 'off' with people, but the past year or so, they've been nothing but friendly and helpful :)
 
My YO shows in hand (like very seriously, Olympia, Ponies UK, Royal London) and she spends a lot of time schooling in hand to improve the show. She teaches her horses to have a HUGE trot in hand, not just to follow in a mannerly way, but to get something really big and eye catching. When you trot, RUN!
When she stands her horse up for the judge, she has him square in front and she has taught him to sort of stretch his back legs out a bit so he is still square but more spread. It seems to have the effect of taking up more space almost like a man standing with his legs just wider than hip width not feet together so he looks to have more presence. He is taught to hold his head up and prick his ears (she gives him food for this and stands a bit out in front of him). And he REALLY walks and trots out.
As far as grooming is concerned, she puts his tail into lots of little plaits the night before the show to make it come out wavy and look thicker. She baths him a couple of days before then on the day plasters him in absorbine supershine. I think she also puts a bit of oil around his muzzle to highlight it.
 
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