As we start into the 2010 horse show season with a crazy amount of snow, rain, wind, tornados and who knows what else mother nature can throw at us, it gives us a little down time. Now is a great time to think about what you all need to get done for the upcoming year. As we are all wallowing in mud and snow, lets start with what I know best, which is your show tack! Time to get out the show halter, bridle or saddle and see if it needs some repairs or maybe its time to purchase a new one! Not only do we want our show equipment to look clean and nice, but we want to make sure that if is all still fitting properly and performing safely.
I suggest a good cleaning for all your equipment as you sit by the fire! I suggest any good leather conditioner that does not darken the light leather. We at Kathy’s Show Equipment use Bee Natural, it does not darken and has a great smell and conditions nicely.
If you have silver on any of your show tack, it is very imporatant to know what type of silver you have so you can clean it properly. If you have sterling overlay or sterling silver then you may use any type of good polish. We at Kathy’s recommend Wenol which is a paste and really gets the jewelers bronze really clean, or the Hagarteys spray polish which is great especially for quick clean ups. If you have a silverplate product, such as Kathy’s Santana Silver, then you DO NOT want to clean it with any abrasive cleaner, you would use a mild soap solution to clean off any dirt or grime then dry with a soft cloth. If you use any type of abrasive cleaner it will impregnate the coating and will eventually lead to problems down the road.
Even though cleaning your show equipment is a time consuming pain in the you know what…it shows the judges that you care about your polished presentation that you have worked so hard to acheive, whether it is your clothing, hat, tack or your horse it should always look like a winning combination!
Horses bodies change from year to year just like us! So you will want to make sure that all your show equipment is fitting properly. There is nothing worse than your halter being too small when you show up at the show!
Finally, make sure your tack is in good repair. Check all your chicago screws to make sure they are good and tight. I always suggest using clear fingernail polish in the screws that hold on your bit and headstall buckles, the same will go for the screws that hold on your buckles on your halter. The polish will hold them securly but not where you can not break it loose if need be.
If repairs need to be done or you need a new halter or headstall, or saddle for that matter, DO NOT WAIT till the last minute. Plan ahead, proper repairs, remakes or purchasing something new takes time.
We at Kathy’s hope some of these quick tips will help you out and if you are like me…light a fire under me! I am a great procrastinator myself! Let me know how you make out and we at Kathy’s can advise you on any help you might need, whether it is a quick repair, a total remake of a headstall or purchasing a new saddle, we are here to help!
See you around the show pen!
Stacy Dial
Kathy’s Show Equipment
