With the equine competition season fast approaching, many riders will be planning their spring and summer show schedule. While now is the ideal time to be putting in some extra training hours, for both equine and rider, it is also the perfect opportunity to make sure the duo have enough of the necessary horse supplies to get them through the year.
Equestrian supplies are often cheaper out of the competition months, and some good deals can be had during winter or end of season sales. Here is a list of items that are absolutely vital and may well need replacing before that next set of events. It can be useful to go through such a checklist, deciding whether what is already owned is sufficient or more equestrian supplies need to be purchased.
A horse and human first-aid kit - It pays to be prepared for any unforseen circumstances.
Water and feed buckets, water carriers and sweat scrapers.
Spare saddlery- reins, stirrup leathers and so on. Having a few extra shoes in the horse's size can also be a competition saver...
Grooming kit, including body brush, curry comb, water brush, stable rubber, sponge, towel, Vaseline (or horse show specific make-up), hoof oil and brush)
Spare headcollar.
Spare lead rope.
Plaiting kit, including scissors, tape, cotton, needles and hairspray.
Summer sheet/cooler.
Saddle soap and sponge.
Once that first event of the year arrives, it is important to get back into a pre-competition routine. Make sure all the relevant equestrian supplies and rider equipment is ready well in advance- if anything is forgotten it is not often possible to dash home to pick it up. It is a good idea to double up with the most important equestrian supplies and leave them permanently in the horse truck or float. This way, vital items such as grooming kits and plaiting aids are always in there. On top of the aforementioned points, remember to do the following before setting off to that all important debut competition:
Check each piece of horse and rider equipment is in good condition. If anything is showing signs of excessive wear and tear, do not use it.
Get everything ready for the show the night before, because equestrian events usually involve early starts.
Make sure water and a haynet have been packed, along with everything the horse might need to keep comfortable and any equipment required for competition.
Don't forget to take a mobile phone- if the unspeakable happens (a breakdown) it can be a godsend.
If preparation is done well in advance and the vital equestrian supplies are bought in plenty of time, there is no reason for things not to go smoothly. Leave the yard early so the horse has enough time- probably about an hour- to settle once it is on the showgrounds. Have a warming up strategy in place leading up to the class and allow enough time to get them looking presentable before you enter the show ring, dressage arena or jumping class.
Once the competition is over, make sure everything that came to the show goes back home. It can be easy when horse and rider are tired, to miss that body brush that has slipped under the float ramp or those gloves next to the car door. Have a look at the checklist again and tick off each item as it is put back in the car or on the truck. Put in a couple of extra minutes before heading home and there will be no need to spend money on unnecessary replacement equestrian supplies.
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