Good turnout starts long before you arrive at a show. For us, preparation is everything - keeping the horses clean, comfortable, and well cared for at home makes competition days so much less stressful and helps create that polished final look we all aim for.
My Head Girl, Liv, is amazing at making sure every horse is turned out to the highest standard and having products we genuinely trust makes the whole process much easier. Coat care is a huge part of our routine, and we love the Hy Equestrian range because there’s something to suit every horse and every job.
During the summer months, we use the Magic Tingle Tea Tree Shampoo all the time, especially for itchy skin or after hot days when the horses need a really refreshing wash. It leaves the coat feeling super clean and fresh without drying the skin out. For our greys and horses with white socks, the Magic Dazzle Whitening Shampoo is always a wash box essential. It’s brilliant for brightening white areas and helping lift those stubborn stains before competitions.
We also love the Magic Sparkle 2-in-1 Shampoo for adding that extra show-ring shine. It leaves coats silky, glossy, and healthy-looking, and it works beautifully through tails too when you want that polished finish.
Tail care is another big part of turnout for us because a full, healthy tail really completes the overall picture. Lately, we’ve been obsessed with the new Magic Sheen Detangler Serum. We simply rub a small amount through the tail before brushing, and it leaves the hair smooth, shiny, and easy to manage without loads of sprays or sticky product build-up.
When it comes to plaiting, Liv swears by the Magic Hold Plaiting Spray. It gives the mane just the right amount of grip without feeling greasy, making plaiting quicker, neater, and much easier to keep secure throughout the day. After plaiting, we’ll often use the Hy Equestrian Lycra Flex Hoods overnight to help keep everything tidy and dust-free before travelling.
For last-minute touch-ups at shows, the Magic Vanish Stain Remover is ideal for quickly removing marks from greys or white legs without needing a full wash. We also never leave home without the Magic Illuminate Leg & Body Whitener in the grooming kit. The powder mixes into a stain-busting paste that’s perfect for brightening white socks and tackling any final stable stains before heading into the ring.
Travelling can undo so much hard work - especially with greys - so we always use Hy Equestrian Tail Guards and Tail Bags to help keep tails clean, tidy, and protected on the journey to shows.
