Hey all! I will be doing my first FEI competition this spring, and was wanting to find out what others typically do for their horse during a CCI competition.
I am comfortable with the actual jog part, I’m more wondering about in between the phases, if there is anything special that you would do besides just the usual icing after xc and hand walking to prevent stiffness, etc to keep your horse supple and feeling their best before the final horse inspection on Sunday.
Thanks in advance!
Wear underwear.
[QUOTE=snoopy;8133753]
Wear underwear.[/QUOTE]
Is that a special thing, though? Only for CCIs?
[QUOTE=Highflyer;8133769]
Is that a special thing, though? Only for CCIs?[/QUOTE]
Unless your horse is borderline for a pass.
Shorter the skirt lamer the horse
BAHAHAHA
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8133824]
Shorter the skirt lamer the horse[/QUOTE]
That’s where I was going.
Do not wear underwear.
Snoopy beat me to it…
I sometimes do a morning hack on Sunday morning. Lots of hand walking and hacking to keep them moving especially if they get stiff when stalled. My horses live out 24/7 so the stall is quite different. They get lots of walking in.
There is a certain pro who had a horse that was not always 100% after XC. She had a skirt collection just for Sunday jogs. She also had this gaudy pair of boots. It worked for her.
Good preventive care before the event. If you’re not already doing it regularly, have your vet out to do a thorough physical exam and flexions (three weeks out is an ideal time). Head off any problems before they become lamenesses and identify any areas that might need special attention. Same goes for hooves- make sure your horse is on a good schedule and set him up to get new shoes a week out from the first jog, so they are tight but it is long enough out to identify a hot nail, etc. Make sure your fitness work leading up to the event is appropriate for the terrain you will be running on (deep sandy footing, hills, etc) so your horse is well prepared and accustomed to the demands.
Other than icing and walking/grazing, I like to pack hooves (unless your horse has pads) and I keep the horse wrapped when not icing. Poultice is good, as are therapeutic wraps like magnetic or Back on Track (bonus of no washing poultice for icings). Last but not least- let your horse have some rest! Walking is important to prevent stiffness, but they also need to rest up and be fresh to jump the next day. Good luck and have fun 
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