The big day is coming, and you know you’ve got a lot to do. Being prepared for a horse show ahead of time can take away a lot of the nerves and help you be organized so your showing experience will go as smoothly as possible. Check out this guide to packing for a horse show so that you and your horse will arrive confidently with everything you need.
Beyond practice, practice, practice, it’s important to read your related discipline or breed rulebooks, show prize list, and if you’re in Pony Club, to study your discipline rulebook and the Horse Management Handbook and Competition Rules, which tells you everything you need to know about prepping for an event.
In addition, your entries are in; the Coggins and health certificate have been handled; your hay and shavings have been ordered (if you’re not taking your own); and your parents, trainer, or another adult has made all of the travel arrangements (if it’s not a local show) and serviced the truck and trailer for the trip or the show season.
There’s much to be done ahead of time. The packing list can be long (see below), and your horse needs to look his best so you can show off how amazing he is, which means properly bathing and grooming beforehand. And don’t forget your tack needs to be as clean and functional as possible.
Then there’s you, the rider, who must present the very best picture with your pony during the competition. It can be a lot, so just take one step at a time.
Horse Show Packing List
â—† Halters (adjustable, breakaway) and lead ropes (more than one should something break or get lost)
â—† Sheet/cooler/blanket (depending on temperatures)
â—† Hay or other forage source, grain, supplements, salt/mineral block, and horse treats
â—† Containers for feed storage
â—† Feed scoop or measuring cup
â—† Bedding (or pre-order)
â—† Manure fork, shovel, muck bucket or wheelbarrow
â—† Rake and broom
â—† Fan(s)
â—† Medications (as needed and allowed by the show, although many medications may not be allowed during a show)
â—† Horse first-aid kit
â—† Hay net, grain bucket, water
buckets, and clips
â—† Water from home
â—† Hose
â—† Electrolytes
â—† Longeline/longe whip
â—† Any boots/wraps used (polo wraps, shipping boots, bell boots, etc.)
◆ Ribbons for your horse’s tail, if he’s a kicker
â—† Stall card to list emergency contacts for the veterinarian and farrier, a feed chart for feed information, etc.
â—† Coggins and health certificate
Grooming Equipment
â—† Curry comb
â—† Brushes (dandy brush, body brush, face brush)
â—† Hoof picks (take more than one in case it gets lost)
â—† Sponges, towels/rags
â—† Sweat scraper
â—† Braiding/banding kit with a pulling comb, hair clips, latch hook, large-eye needle, yarn, a seam/band ripper (for removing braids), rubber bands/braiding elastics, and an apron or fanny pack
â—† Mane-control product
â—† Scissors, pens, permanent markers (for labeling things)
â—† Wet wipes
â—† Wide-toothed comb, mane comb, and a brush for mane and tail
â—† Fly spray
â—† Wash bucket
â—† Shampoo and conditioner
â—† Grooming oil, coat polish, white spot cleaner, etc.
â—† Hoof polish
â—† Corn starch or baby powder for white leg markings
â—† Baby oil (for some breed shows)
â—† Liquid dish detergent or apple cider vinegar and baking soda for cleaning brushes
â—† An extra bucket for cleaning items
â—† Clippers with an extension cord
â—† Flashlight, lantern, or other light for night checks
Tack
â—† Bridle(s)
â—† Saddle with stirrup leathers and irons
â—† Saddle pad
â—† Saddle rack (optional)
â—† Girth/cinch
â—† Show halter and lead, if doing showmanship or halter
â—† Martingale/breastplate/breastcollar, if needed
â—† Crop, if needed
â—† Tack/leather cleaner, tack oil or conditioner, leather protector or sealant if needed, rags, silver polish, etc.
â—† Tack sponges, cleaning cloths, and a small pail
â—† Boot polishing kit
â—† Tack trunk
For the Humans
â—† A properly fitted, approved helmet
â—† Body protector (if used)
â—† Muck boots, show boots, boot pulls, boot jack, and possibly boot trees for tall leather boots
â—† Show clothes appropriate for the discipline being ridden
â—† Show clothes bag and boot bag
â—† Stock tie and pin, vest, tie, or bolo (if required)
â—† Gloves
â—† Socks
â—† Belt
â—† Belt buckle (if showing western)
â—† Clothes and shoes/boots for bathing, grooming, and cleaning stalls
â—† Human first-aid kit
â—† Charged fire extinguisher Type A or ABC
â—† Bailing twine
â—† Sewing kit, lint roller, safety pins
â—† Hair supplies (brushes, elastics, hair spray, hair net, pins, etc.)
â—† Makeup, if needed for discipline being shown
â—† Number pins or string
â—† Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bug spray
â—† Snacks and drinks in a cooler
â—† Hand sanitizer, tissues, hand soap
â—† Camera, battery charger, phone, and phone charger
â—† Watch, especially for timed events
â—† Rulebook(s), printed or downloaded to a phone
â—† Lists of emergency contacts
â—† Medical armband, required for Pony Club events
◆ Pony Club pin, if you’re a member
â—† Laundry basket/bag
â—† Show paperwork
â—† Pop-up camping chairs
â—† Whiteboard and marker for messages, or pad and paper
â—† Trash container
â—† Utility kit with basic tools, nails, a basic knife (for adults), leatherpunch, and duct tape
Brought to you in partnership with The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club). Pony Club offers education and hands-on opportunities for equestrians of all ages in a community atmosphere. To learn more or find a club/center near you, visit the Pony Club website.
This article about packing for a horse show appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
