Preparing Your Horse for a Stay-Away Show

Competition season is fast approaching and some of you may be preparing for stay-away shows…

Taking your horse to a show which requires an overnight stay can be a daunting task but with a bit of organisation, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience! We have compiled a handy guide with tips and tricks to help you be prepared…

Write a list

Writing a list is the easiest way to ensure that you have packed everything you need. Create a list for you and a list for your horse and don’t forget to prepare for every situation, an emergency pair of white breeches is always a must!

Know where you’re going

Stay-away shows are mostly far from home so it is important to know where you are going and how long the journey will take. Horses who travel for longer than 8 hours are at increased risk of respiratory issues, so it is important to factor in breaks for both you and your horsey companion.

Load your lorry in plenty of time

Don’t leave packing until the last minute! If you can, load the lorry or trailer in advance so you’re not running around just before you’re due to leave. Be sure not to forget your horse’s passport as this is now required by law.

Check your transport

Even if you’re hiring your transport it is important to check that everything is safe and sound. Lorry and trailer floors should be checked for any damage or degeneration. Make sure that your car or lorry engine has been checked and is not presenting any problems. Horsey breakdown cover is also worth considering in case you were to breakdown with a horse on board!

Allow plenty of time for a leg stretch on arrival

When you arrive at a show, be sure to allow plenty of time to warm up and get your horse moving! Travelling can put a lot of stress on joints and muscles so allowing a low impact leg stretch is very important, encouraging movement can also help improve lymphatic drainage, which is vital for those who are prone to filled legs (click here for more on the lymphatic system). Even if you’re not competing until the next day, allowing your horse a stretch before they go into the stable can ensure they are comfortable and supple and ready to give it their all when it’s their time to shine!

Snacks!

Food for both you and your horse is very important! It can be tough but making sure your horse’s diet doesn’t change while they are away is crucial for their digestive health. Some owners will reuse supplement tubs to carry their food whilst staying away which is a brilliant and handy way of reducing waste.

Don’t forget your Bespoke All-In-One™

Have you heard of our new Bespoke All-In-One™ service? You can mix all your horse’s supplements in to one easy-to-feed blend. This is perfect for taking to shows as you only have one tub of supplement to take which caters for all of your horse’s requirements. Bespoke All-In-One™ is completely personalised as it features a photo and name of your horse on the front of the tub - so it’s easy to identify whose supplement is who’s!