This weekend I realized I was out of Quicbraid, and didn’t really want to make a separate trip to the tack store before showing on Sunday. I got a $2 bottle of hairspray, dumped out half, filled the rest with water. I actually liked it better than Quicbraid! I liked the feeling on the hair better, and the spray nozzle was better. Plus, cheaper.
Any other random show grooming hacks to share?
I groomed for a para-rider with a very light grey (solid white, no dappling or flea bites) mare who loved to get poop stains no matter what. The stains were impossible to completely remove, I tried every purple shampoo, the ketchup, etc until I got some incredible advise from an Andalusian breeder at a show.
To the tough manure stains- apply purple shampoo (I had her buy QuicSilver in the 64oz container) to DRY COAT where it is stained, let sit for 10 min, then wash out. Then repeat with purple shampoo over all of body on wet horse. It did not dye her purple at all and if there was a faint lilac stain, I scrubbed a bit extra until it was silver.
She looked great!
When my quicbraid runs out I just fill the bottle with water.
I use old body clipping blades to shorten manes. Pull to desired thickness, then “tease” the longer thin hairs with the blade (in about 1/2" strokes) to cut without a blunt edge.
Use a loop of baling twine and double end snap as a quick twitch. Wrap loop around nose, twist the snap to tighten loop, and clip to halter side ring.
Use short mini bungees (those black 6" ones that come in a variety pack) instead of a lip chain. Hook to side rings of halter, slip under upper lip across gums. Not as harsh as a lip chain, can be an effective distraction. Still allows you to handle horse safely with chain over nose (or chiffney at the yearling sales).
I always do a quick braid in my horse’s tail to prevent him from getting shavings in it- plus it always looks pretty and wavy.
I use human shampoo on my horse’s tail as it has worked better than horse shampoos to condition and give a shiny appearance!
Also recommend Shapley’s Touch Up Spray for dirty white socks or other white markings.
And last but not least, rubbing a cut raw onion on the hooves. Provides a lovely shine without attracting sand and dirt like hoof polish.
To keep horse’s socks white at shows, spray them liberally with ShowSheen or similar silicone product. Then if they lay down in stall overnight, manure doesn’t stain or if horse made a direct hit laying in manure, it brushes or rinses off easily vs staining.
DIY QuicBraid is human hairspray or styling gel mixed 50/50 with water in a spray bottle.
Boot Stretch for stretching tight leather boots is just rubbing alcohol and water. Make your own: 50/50. Spray liberally inside boots and wear around house, etc until dry. May have to repeat a time or two until boots fit/zip up easier
I definitely prefer the 50/50 homemade version over QuickBraid!
Not so much a hack, but I use the rubberized reusable “twist ties” from Niteize (you can find them at Home Depot) to hold the snaffle and curb rein together when I was using double reins on my jumping bridle. Keeps them at the length you want, easy to slide around and adjust, and doesn’t leave any residue behind. You can see them here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f…2713830&type=3 Unfortunately it doesn’t fix the rider’s hand position or too-long reins! :lol:
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
