🐴 Preparing for the Summer Season – Part 2: Grooming & Presentation Essentials
With your competition bags sorted, it’s time to turn your attention to the star of the show — your horse. Making sure your horse looks (and smells!) amazing is key to standing out in the ring, whether you're competing or just attending clinics. In Part 2 of our summer prep series, we're diving into the must-have grooming and presentation products that will keep your horse looking pristine, polished, and show-ready.
From shampoos and detanglers to show shine sprays, hoof products, and plaiting essentials — we've got you covered with the best items (in our opinion) to include in your grooming kit this season.
1. ✨ Shampoo: A Gleaming Clean Coat
A good shampoo is the foundation of a flawless finish.
Top Picks:
Supreme Products High Shine Shampoo – Brilliant for enhancing your horse’s natural colour and shine. Great for bays, blacks, and chestnuts.
Gallop Colour Enhancing Shampoos by Carr & Day & Martin – Tailored to your horse's coat colour for maximum depth and vibrancy.
NAF Teatree & Mint Shampoo – Cleans deeply and smells incredible. Ideal for warm show days when you want to freshen up without stripping natural oils.
💡 Pro tip: Use a sweat scraper after rinsing to reduce drying time and leave the coat smooth.
2. 🧴 Detangler: Tangle-Free Tails & Manes
No one wants to battle knotted tails before a class.
Top Picks:
Canter Mane & Tail – A staple in every grooming box for a reason. It’s long-lasting, non-greasy, and keeps manes sleek and tails flowing.
NAF Silky Mane & Tail Detangler – Smells divine and works fast, perfect for thick tails and coarse manes.
Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine – Especially effective on very thick or curly hair.
💡 Pro tip: Apply the night before and braid loosely to keep tails smooth and show-ready.
3. 💎 Show Shine: That Final Touch
Make your horse dazzle in the sunlight (and catch the judge’s eye).
Top Picks:
Absorbine ShowSheen – Adds an unbeatable gloss to coats, manes, and tails.
Supreme Products Coat Gloss – Perfect for a subtle, elegant sheen with anti-static properties.
Equimist 360 by Carr & Day & Martin – No-mess spray that gives an even coat and smells incredible.
💡 Avoid spraying on saddle area to prevent slippage.
4. 🐾 Hoof Care: Shiny, Healthy Hooves
Well-maintained hooves finish off your horse’s polished look.
Top Picks:
Kevin Bacon’s Hoof Dressing – A favourite for day to day shine and healthy hoof condition.
Supreme products Hoof Paint - available in different colours and adds colour and shine to the hoof.
NAF Hoof Moist – Perfect for dry summer conditions.
💡 Use a small paintbrush or sponge for precision application on show mornings.
5. 🧵 Plaiting Kit & Wax: Stay Neat in the Ring
Crisp, clean plaits are a must for presentation and professionalism.
Plaiting Essentials:
Supreme Products Plaiting Gel – Helps control flyaways and gives grip without being sticky.
Smart Grooming Plaiting Wax – Adds grip and keeps plaits tidy in warm conditions.
Thread, bands, a plaiting comb, and a damp sponge – Don’t leave home without them!
💡 Pro tip: Pre-section the mane with a chalk pencil for even plaits every time.
6. ⭐ Quarter Markers & Finishing Touches
Want to go the extra mile? Add some pizzazz with quarter markers and coat finishers.
Top Picks:
Supreme Products Quarter Marker Spray – Keeps designs sharp and visible all day.
Smart Grooming Quarter Marking Comb – For achieving perfect sharks’ teeth or checkerboard patterns.
Supreme Products Sparkle Spray – Adds just the right amount of glamour without going OTT.
💡 Use a template and light mist of water before brushing in your pattern for precision.
🛍️ Find It All on HORSED
From plaiting wax and sparkles to shampoo and hoof oil, you can find both new and second-hand show prep essentials on the HORSED app. With top brands like Supreme Products, NAF, Smart Grooming, and Carr & Day & Martin, you can shop affordably while getting your horse competition-ready.
Why we love Supreme products for show prep…
From the night before prep with gorgeous smelling shampoo’s for that extra shine or whitening, to plaiting gel and hoof paint to tidy everything up before you go in the ring. Supreme products provide a range to cover everything needed, so fill up your show bags and get ready for a season of gorgeous horses and ponies glistening in the sun.
🐎 Coming Up in Part 3...
We’ll be looking at what to wear this season — for both riders and horses. Think technical fabrics, show-day style, and summer riding essentials from brands like LeMieux, Holland Cooper, and Equetech.
Stay tuned, and in the meantime — get your grooming kit stocked and your sparkle on.
🧽 ✂️ ✨
Ready to make your horse look (and smell) amazing?
👉 Download the HORSED app and browse grooming must-haves now!
