Show horses need....

[beth_agnew]

Show horses are strong and mostly lightweight but here is wot 2 do for a lot of rosettes and a muscular horse

1.exercise your horse for 2 hours a day do 1 hour of jumping and 1 hour of schooling

2.show horses have alot of stress so unwind evrey day for 30mins on a bridlepath on a long rein and a light weight saddle or even bare back but just walk around the bridlepath with one of his buds!

3.give your horse treats if he has done well and at least 6-7 haynets or buckets of food a day and 2 gallons of water evrey day!

4.let them go free put them in the paddock for 6 hours evrey day.

5.after a hard workout give them a sponge bath to cool them off on hot days on cold days put on cooling gel!

6.when the farrier comes ask him/her to put on a light weight racing shoe.

7.buy a lightweight saddle to keep the horse cool and less weight your horse to carry so your horse goes faster!

8.when jumping or doing cross country PUT ON LEG CLAY OR TENDON BOOTS OR TRAINERS!

9.teach your horse how to jump higher and bolder!

10.GIVE YOUR HORSE ALL THE LOVE U GOT!

100% GARENTEED TO GET YOU A ROSETT! ;)

[gatorrugbyplayer05]

I don't even know where to begin....!!!!

1) NO LIGHT SHOW HORSE SHOULD GET 2 HOURS OF WORK A DAY. ONLY A HORSE IN TOUGH COMPETION(such as upper level) needs this much work. Honestly. When my low level(US novice) mare is in top condition she gets absolutely no more than an hour a day, 5 days a week. If we're cross country schooling with a group its longer but she's standing around and watching for alot of that.

What is all this about a "light weight saddle"? Again, non competitive show horses(unrec and low level) only need 1 saddle. 2 maybe for dressage and jumpers.

You did make a good point about hacking though...all horses need to be hacked to relax and unwind, competition or not.

At least 6 hours a day. Some get more, some get less. No, you are not cruel if your horse doesn't get this much- turnout is limited in some parts of the world.

Cooling gel? Again, what are you an upper level event rider? If you are for the love of god improve your horse knowledge and typing skills. A good rub down is enough for cold weather- and obviously blanket, but only when the horse is dry, never blanket a sweaty or wet horse.

Again, Leg Clay? Shouldn't be used below English Novice level, US prelim or training. The boots I agree with, but again for lower level splint boots are fine.

Event horses certainly do not need a light weight racing shoe. They need something with traction, and for upper levels stud holes. Again, for low levels regular shoes or whatever medical shoes you use is 100% FINE.

All young/inexperienced riders should refer to their own trainers concerning these issues. If you don't have one, get one!

[HappyHorse13]

:I agree with Gator.

Two hours of work is a bit much. If I had a horse, I probably would ride for one hour a day, and then take a nice, relaxing hack on Sunday, give it a bath (if hot weather), and spend quality time grooming and bonding, and then maybe take it for another hack, but leading and not riding. And, my horse would have turn out everyday (if the weather cooperates. :p )

Or maybe I would have to work my horse two hours a day because of all the treats I would give it. LOL I'm just kidding, you should see me when I give out treats, I'm always freaked out that the horses are going to colic even if they have one peppermint. ;)

That's just my two-cents.

[Skip_n_Hide]

i also agree with gator... wots this other person seems to have put seems to me to be abit much :confused: most people have their own way of doin things! :p

[rebelelite]

I have an upper level horse. Actually most everyone at my barn does and for flat work and dressage splints or polo wrapping is just fine. for jumping we use standard boots. I don't know anyone who rides beyond one hour at a time and our horse's get at least 2 days off a week. They also get full 12 hour turn out on a rotation. So it's 12-in 12-out.

And for the love of God I would never give a horse 6-8 buckets of food a day, have you lost your mind? Please don't post advice so dangerous as to jeopardize the well being of novice horse owners. Consistant hay and small rations of high fat/protein feed twice per day plus supplements is just fine.

And as for cooling Gel on cold days, that is an absolutely dangerous idea. What is your reasoning behind that?

The standard for cold days is a cooler blanket or quarter sheet that is extremely breathable but keeps out chill and walking the horse out to bring their heart rate and temperature back to normal. Then curry and rub down.

And I hope you know that even on hot days, a cold hose is best avoided until your horse has completely returned to his normal temp. Then hosing legs and saddle marks is usually good enough.

As for the whole subject of this post:

Every horse is different. Show horse's are just like any horse except that blemishes are best avoided and their grooming and exercise regime is a bit more intense. But throwing a horse into a hardcore workout regime isn't such a good idea. The best thing you can do to keep a horse looking and feeling good is properly feeding and managing their diet. A shiny coat and heathly appearance is the result of a balanced diet. a pasture kept horse will look just as nice without all the grooming. The only thing special we do for our horse's is slick n' easy for their coat hairs, supplements as needed, and daily grooming.

The most important aspect of owning ANY horse and especially a show horse is your "Team". A highly respected vet, farrier, chiropractor, and massage therapist are vital to your horse's well being.

Good Luck :)