How to prepare your horse for a successful horse show season

With the spring horse shows just around the corner, it's time to prepare your horse for success in the show ring. Whether you are an experienced rider or are new to the sport, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure that your horse is ready to perform at its best in the horse show ring.

 One of the most important steps you can take while preparing for horse shows is to follow a comprehensive equestrian training program. This should include a combination of riding knowledge and techniques, as well as physical fitness and mental preparation. Riders and horses must be able to perform a straight and organized working trot for at least twenty minutes without a break before they even consider horse showing. Many horses do not build up enough forward momentum and balance in their training to engage and build musculature their hind-end, core and topline.

Additionally, when horse showing, excitement and nerves can take over — and those feelings can be transferred to your horse. Working with a mental skills coach along with your riding trainer can help you develop a training plan that is tailored to your horse's strengths and abilities, allowing you to focus on specific areas for improvement.

Equestrian training develops a rider’s mental acuity, both in and out of the saddle. Through equestrian training, riders learn discipline, perseverance, grit and hard work. They cultivate a feel for what is correct while learning to be brave and in control of their emotions and challenging themselves. They also learn how to accept feedback and gain physical and emotional strength through showing horses. Show horse training allows riders to learn to cooperate with their animal to achieve great success.

Another important aspect of preparation is to ensure that your horse is healthy enough for show horse training and is in top physical condition. One way to support your horse's health and performance is by providing the proper nutrition. Lifeforce Elite can help. Lifeforce Elite is a performance supplement specifically designed for horses, providing them with the essential trace minerals they need to maintain healthy cartilage and synovial fluid in their joints. By providing them with these essential nutrients, Lifeforce Elite can help support your horse's health and performance, allowing them to perform at their best in the ring.

In addition to proper nutrition, it is also important to ensure that your horse is well-rested and hydrated leading up to the show season. This may involve adjusting your horse's exercise routine or providing them with additional time to rest and recover between show horse training sessions.

Finally, it is important to have a plan in place for the day of the show. This may involve coordinating with your coach or trainer to ensure that you and your showing horses arrive on time, have a clear understanding of the schedule and are prepared for any unexpected events. Learn the proper warm-up ring etiquette, and have a plan established before you get on your horse. By having a plan in place, you can help minimize stress for both you and your horse and ensure a smooth and successful showing experience.

Here are 10 steps you can take to help ensure that you will have a successful show:

• Minimize stress by packing early and being organized.
• Eat a nutritious breakfast (and also lunch, if you show late).
• Learn your course or pattern early so that you have time to visualize and consider the training questions being asked.
• Breathe throughout the day as you get nervous, and make a list of the places where you will have time to breathe on the course.
• Help out your barn-mates, teammates and fellow competitors. If you see opportunities to be a good member of our community, take them.
• Maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens in competition or on the day of the event.
• Express gratitude to every horse and person who spends their day with you at the horse show.
• Make sure to determine what you are going to wear the week before the event and that everything you have is clean, polished and ironed, as needed.
• Pass left shoulder to left shoulder in the schooling ring.
• Focus on your horse and on achieving correct and straight riding, and the ribbons will follow! Proper horsemanship and sportsmanship are the keys to success.

The horse show season is an exciting time and serves as a great opportunity to showcase your horse's skills and abilities. With the right training, support and preparation, you can help your horse perform at its best at horse shows. Lifeforce Elite can also help, as it is dedicated to supporting your horse's health and performance.