August 3, 2001, Newsletter Issue #49: Getting Ready for Trophy/Medal Shows

Tip of the Week

First: Grooming.

There is no alternative in this life that substitutes for a daily full and complete brushing with a curry, then a stiff bristle brush, then a soft body/face brush and finally with a towel finish that can be coated with a fly spray. Supplements to the diet will help good grooming, but nothing will replace it in the overall look of your horse. Remember time spent with your horse that is not "performance" oriented, but is TLC, is valued tremendously by your horse, and can be rewarded by your horse by his performances in the ring for you. Daily oiling of the feet will keep the hooves in great condition, that if you choose to paint the feet for the show ring, the products used won`t damage a well-oiled and cared for hoof. If you want to give the polish a better adherance, then use a fine sandpaper to lightly remove the stains caused from manure and past arena surfaces. Once sanded, use cotton soaked in nailpolish remover to remove the dust particles. Then use soap and water to remove the polish remover. Allow the hooves to dry thoroughly (overnight) before applying the polish. For an added gloss in painting the feet, apply a coat of clear hoof gloss over top of the black gloss, once the black gloss has had time to thoroughly dry first. Always paint white hooves with the clear, even if they are two or multistriped. Apply black to the black areas, and clear to the white areas. This really does present a more natural effect.

Next week: Rider final presentations.

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