Halter classes can be a bit intimidating and provide some hefty competition. Of course, most of us know that your horse must have more correct conformation to succeed in halter. But I would like to share some grooming tips that can help your less “correct” horse stand out and hopefully place higher.
For the Horse
- Make sure that you get your horse’s hooves trimmed promptly before your show. Long toes can make a correct horse look awkward and is a detail that judges will notice.
- To draw more attention to your horse’s well-kept hooves, be sure to add some clear or black polish to their hooves. Just be careful not to get any of that polish on your horse’s legs!
- If you are going to a show early in the spring or later in the fall and your horse is a bit hairier than you would like, consider body clipping! Clipping your horse makes grooming easier and can help make them look more polished to the judges.
- Avoid using spray-on coat enhancers – they will only attract dust. Opt instead for good old elbow grease. Curry your horse thoroughly and often to help remove dirt and bring their natural coat oils to the surface.
- Make your horse’s white manes and tails are white! Thoroughly clean with a whitening shampoo and cover to keep clean before your class.
- Ensure that your horse’s tail is cut to a proper length. Long tails look unkempt and can be a hazard for your horse to step on. Of course, their are some breed differences that you may account for.
For the Handler
- No matter what you wear, ensure that your show outfit is well fitted to your body. Nothing looks sloppier to a judge than a handler in ill-fitting clothes.
- Make sure that your top is zipped/buttoned up all the way for a clean and tidy look.
- Many show pants come unhemmed for a custom fit. Be sure that you hem your pants to the appropriate length for you.
- Brush off any dirt that has accumulated on your pants before you enter your class.
- Remember, you look better when your horse is well-behaved. Ensure that you do plenty of prep and practice with your horse before heading to the show.
Thank you so much for reading about our top grooming tips to help you and your horse stand out in halter classes. Let me know if anything in this post surprised you! I’d love to hear from you.
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