Shining on Show Day

Want to get that horse to really shine on show day? To lighten a white horse, apply either a whitening shampoo or a rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry. Then, apply a layer of baby powder and brush it in (this really makes a white coat glisten). If the horse is darker (chestnut or red) you can feed him paprika to heighten highlights and reduce whitening. Then, polish that beauty with a dryer sheet, baby wipe, or “Swiffer” cloth to make him sparkle. A lot of people like to use baby oil to make a horse appear shinier but it has a tendency to heat on the horse. Instead, try a specialized shine product (like one from Cowboy Magic) or even Vaseline. Keep your horse clipped, shampooed, and conditioned to maintain a beautiful a professional appearance. It's in your best interest to invest in good products, as cheaper ones tend to do a lackluster job. Additionally, you can get those hooves to shine like that shimmering coat by using a dish soap—but not a harsh one. To finish the job, spritz the horse with a quality fly spray.