Preparing for Show Season: Grooming, Fitness, Travel and Performance Support

Getting ready for show season is a mix of excitement, planning and steady preparation. Alongside clipping, trimming, and washing, it's important to think about the physical demands of bringing your horse back into work, travelling to events and competing in new environments.

This guide looks at key areas of show season preparation, including coat condition, mane and tail support, musculoskeletal fitness, calm behaviour, travel support and rider wellbeing.

Key Highlights

• Preparing for show season involves more than grooming; it also includes fitness, travel, recovery, behaviour and rider wellbeing.
• Working with your horse’s natural hair growth cycle can make it easier to support coat, mane and tail condition before your first show.
• Musculo skeletal fitness can drop off quickly in horses, so a gradual return to work may help reduce the risk of discomfort, strain or fatigue.
• A slow and steady build-up to work can help horses regain strength, agility and stamina.
• Ground work and hand work may help fresh or unsettled horses focus as they come back into work.
• Travel, loading, unloading and unfamiliar environments can be stressful for some horses, so it can be useful to prepare well before show day.  
• Hippo Health’s Shows & Performance range includes natural remedies formulated to support horses and riders through training, travel and competition.

Show season preparation at a glance

Each stage of show season preparation can bring different considerations, from getting coat condition show-ready through to rebuilding fitness, supporting calm behaviour and preparing for travel. The sections below outline practical ways to support both horse and rider in the lead-up to show season, along with the Hippo Health remedies that may fit into each part of your routine.

How early should you start preparing your horse’s coat for show season?

Achieving a show-ready coat, mane and tail starts well before show day. Hair growth in horses usually follows a three-week cycle, so it’s important to start your grooming and coat-support routine in advance of your first event.

We recommend beginning at least four weeks before your first show where possible. This gives you time to assess coat condition, support normal healthy hair growth, check rugs and grooming routines, and make any gradual changes to your horse’s management.

Coat support for horses before show season

If your horse's coat is looking dull or has lost quality, Sheen Plus Equine may be a useful addition to their routine.  

Sheen Plus Equine supports gut health to promote the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals already present in feed. It can be used on horses of all hair types and is competition and racing safe (not swab-able).

This can be particularly useful when a horse’s coat looks dull or slow to come through despite regular grooming and a balanced diet.

Find out more on our Sheen Plus Equine product page.

How to support healthy mane and tail growth

Manes & Tails is formulated to support normal, healthy mane and tail growth. Like Sheen Plus Equine, it supports the uptake of vitamins and minerals in the everyday diet that can help to maintain a healthy gloss and sheen.

Both Sheen Plus and Manes & Tails can be dosed via the water trough, making them an economical option when supporting more than one horse.

And if you’re thinking you could do with something similar, we also make a Healthy Hair & Nails remedy for people.

Find out more on our Manes & Tails product page.

Building musculoskeletal fitness before show season

Bringing a horse back into work after an extended period of time off requires a slow and steady build-up. This helps them regain strength, agility and stamina while giving you time to monitor how they are coping with the increased workload.

Your horse may have become a little heavier over winter, or they may have lost condition. As their fitness and body shape change, it’s important to reassess their feed, check saddle fit and adjust their workload gradually.

Musculoskeletal fitness in horses can drop off quite quickly and take time to rebuild. Even with a careful return-to-work program, some horses may experience tiredness, stiffness or changes in comfort as their training increases.

Age, previous fitness level, workload, terrain and overall condition can all influence how quickly a horse becomes show-ready.

Muscle and joint support for horses returning to work

Performance Plus Equine is formulated to assist horses’ normal physiological response to periods of increased or strenuous exertion, jarring or muscle strain and minor inflammation. It can be given prior to exercise, and then again after exertion.

Joints Plus Equine is formulated to support joint comfort and mobility in horses, including those experiencing stiffness or soreness associated with training, shows, events and competition.

Both of these remedies may be useful as part of a broader show season routine that also includes gradual conditioning, appropriate rest, saddle fit checks and professional advice where needed.

Find out more on Performance Plus Equine or Joints Plus Equine product pages.

Helping a fresh or unsettled horse return to work

Some horses come back into work with extra energy, especially after time off or a lighter winter workload. Groundwork and in-hand work can be a useful way to help them focus, listen and settle to bring their adrenaline levels down before the demands of full training increase.

A consistent routine, calm handling and gradual exposure to busier environments can also help prepare horses for show season.

Calm support for training, travel and show-day environments

Chilled Out Horse is an everyday calmative that can help take the edge off for horses that need general calm support. It can be given in the water, feed or directly into the mouth.

Spook Buster is formulated for horses that show heightened, reactive or adrenaline-fuelled responses to triggers such as wind, unfamiliar objects, or visits from the vet or farrier. This remedy is only given when needed, on a treat or into the mouth, it’s not suitable for trough dosing or adding to feed.

Show Calm can be used to support horses who become unsettled or overwhelmed by show-day environments, including loudspeakers, flapping flags and unfamiliar surroundings. Like Chilled Out Horse, Show Calm can be given in the water, feed or directly into the mouth.

We have a whole range of remedies to support horses showing anxiety-related behaviour in specific situations. They are designed to support calm behaviour without sedation and are competition and racing safe (i.e. not swab-able). Read this blog post to find out which calming remedy is right for your horse.

Visit our product page to find out more about our Chilled Out Horse, Spook Buster, or Show Calm remedies.

Preparing your horse for travel during show season

There’s no avoiding travel during show season. Some horses find time in the truck or float difficult, while others become unsettled around loading, unloading or arriving somewhere new.

Preparing for travel before show day can make the process easier for both horse and rider. Practising loading, keeping routines consistent and allowing enough time on the day can all help reduce pressure around travel.

Travel support for horses before shows and events

Easy Traveller Equine is an anxiety supplement formulated to support horses that show stress-related responses around travel. It can be used before travelling, or when support is needed around loading, unloading or time spent in the truck or float.

Our 90ml pump bottle format is a practical size for keeping on hand in your truck or float.

Find out more on our Easy Traveller Equine product page.

If motion sickness is something you also experience, Travel Well for people may be useful during show season travel.

Natural remedies for Riders during show season

Show season can be demanding for riders too. Early starts, travel, long days, show nerves, physical exertion and nights away from home can all take their toll.

Whether you need support for calm, sleep, recovery, travel or the effects of overindulging while away from home, we have a Shows & Performance range of remedies for riders as well. Find out more about our Rider remedy range in this blog post.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start preparing my horse for show season?

Start at least four weeks before your first show where possible. This gives you time to support coat condition, build fitness gradually, check saddle fit, practise travel routines and prepare your horse for show-day environments.

How do I bring my horse back into work after time off?

Use a gradual build-up that starts with lighter work and increases slowly over time. Monitor your horse for stiffness, fatigue, changes in behaviour or signs they are finding the work difficult.

Can younger horses benefit from joint support?

Joint support is not only for older horses. Active horses of different ages may benefit from general joint support, particularly as training, travel and competition demands increase.

What can help a horse stay calm at shows?

Preparation, routine, groundwork and calm handling can all help horses adjust to show-day environments. Some horses may also benefit from natural calming support formulated for specific situations, such as travel, unfamiliar surroundings or busy competition settings.

Are Hippo Health equine remedies competition safe?

Many Hippo Health equine remedies are competition and racing safe, not swab-able. Always check the individual product page for specific information.

Are there remedies for riders during show season too?

Yes. Hippo Health also offers remedies for people that may support calm, sleep, travel, recovery and general wellbeing during busy show periods.

Final thoughts on preparing for show season. 

Preparing for show season is about more than grooming and gear. It’s about supporting your horse’s wellbeing from the inside out, with a routine that considers coat condition, fitness, recovery, calm behaviour, travel and the demands of competition.

A thoughtful preparation plan, supported by natural remedies where appropriate, can help both horse and rider feel more confident and ready for the season ahead.

Wishing you all a safe and successful show season!