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PREPARING YOUR HORSE FOR SHOW DAY Essay

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In the world, there are approximately 75,000,000 horses and 350 breeds of horses that can be found around the world (circlerranch.com). Horses are amazing and beautiful creatures that may be used as show horses or a family pet. Show horses require many hours of daily preparation in order to be competitive in the show ring. I have grown up with horses my whole life. I watched my mother show horses and followed in her footsteps. The most important aspects of show day are the appearance and the way the horse presents itself to the horse judge. The judge will look at the structure, muscle, and balance of the horse. To be competitive on show day, the horse must be healthy and have a good attitude. A horse requires a balanced diet. …show more content…

In order to be muscular the horse needs proper exercise. Backing and trotting are the main exercises that the trainer should concentrate on. Backing builds up a horse’s hind end, while trotting creates even muscles on each side of the horse. Exercising helps the horse in many ways. It doesn’t only give it firm and sculpt muscles; it affects its overall health too.
Shampooing and conditioning the horse is extremely important. The horse should be beautiful and spotless. Never put conditioner in the horse’s mane if the horse is going to have its mane braided or banded for a show because the bands will slip out. There are many different braiding styles for the horse’s mane, there is a hunter braid, a running braid, and a continental braid (Raspberryridge.com). The horse’s mane can even be banded. Horse’s manes will differ from horse to horse, based on the size of the horse, how bulky the neck is, and what it looks like with the overall structure and build of the horse. Quarter horses and thoroughbreds look better with short manes. Arabians and gaited horses prefer longer manes (Baker).
A stripping blade is a good tool to use to cut the mane. The stripping blade has sharp teeth and a wooden handle. It is used similarly to how a hair stylist uses a razor. Just hold a small chunk of hair tight in one hand, and slice downwards with the stripping blade in the other (Baker). A week before the horse show, the horses

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