How to Groom Arabian Horses for Show

One of the ingredients of winning a competition is knowing how to groom Arabian horses for show. There are certain tools and procedures involved that make the process easier and insure good results with the right effort. Having the right grooming supplies is the first step towards making sure your horse looks as good as possible in the ring.

• Rubber curry or curry comb
• Mane and tail comb
• Dandy brush
• Body or finishing brush
• Hoof pick
• Towel

Show Time!

If you know how to groom Arabian horses for show then you know to start on one side at the top of the neck and work down the side to the haunches. Then you repeat the process on the other side of the horse. You should also know that if you care for your horse properly between shows then grooming on show day is much easier.

To learn how to groom Arabian horses for show you should learn from the professionals who have shown champion Arabians. The basic grooming process begins with the rubber curry or curry comb. They are used to loosen any dirt in the horse coat. Then the dandy brush is flicked over the coat to actually remove the dirt.

When learning how to groom Arabian horses for show the next step to learn is how to use the body brush to smooth the hair. The mane and tail comb take the knots out of the hair and make both mane and tail straight and shiny. You want both to look like they are flowing during the show.

The final basic step in learning how to groom Arabian horses for show is cleaning the hooves. You have to learn how to pick up the horse’s leg in a way the horse won’t lose its balance. If you have properly trained your horse there is a command it will respond to while lifting the leg. Clean the hooves very carefully and thoroughly making sure anything caught in the cracks is removed.

That Extra Shine

On the day of the show there are additional horse grooming techniques to be performed that can emphasize your horse’s natural beauty. When you learn how to groom Arabian horses for show, on the day of the competition, the first step is to shampoo and condition the mane and tail. Apply a spray on shine conditioner right before the event.

Also on the day of the show, clip the hair around the eyes, nose, ears, and wherever the bridle rests. Baby oil can make these areas shine.

If you have religiously followed the routine grooming procedures, you already know how to groom Arabian horses for show during those days in-between the shows. A healthy coat is not created on show day. On show day though, you should bathe and condition the horse coat, but you will also add a finishing conditioner to make the coat extra shiny.

Both hooves should be sanded evenly on the bottom, and each hoof polished. A lacquer is made for application as a polish sealant and a color enhancer.

Most Arabian horses have white markings. These white marking require one extra grooming step. In the days leading to the show, clip the areas of white close to the skin. On show day, wash the coat including the markings, and then apply some finishing spray. Once the hair is dry, baby powder is sprinkled on the white areas of the legs. The legs are wrapped and kept wrapped until actual time.

These are the basic grooming rules for the day of the show. You can find more information and tips online with details. Follow the guidelines and your horse will positively gleam on show day!