SB Barrel Racing

Summer is getting closer here in Quebec, and shows are coming soon! I am almost done with my show preparations, getting ready to head out on the road in the next few weeks, and I realized that in the early days of my blog, I shared my show essentials (here is the article if you want to read it!), but that they have changed a lot overtime. I then decided to make an updated version for 2022! Here are my show essentials, up to date. I hope you find something in there that will help you this summer on the road.

MY HORSE SHOW ESSENTIALS

For us

• Water bottles

Staying hydrated during the long and hot summer days at show is as important for the horses as it is for us! Having water bottles on hand (ideally reusable ones) is essentials for shows.

• Rubber bands

Good old rubber bands! There are a lot of times where I would’ve liked to have a pack in my trailer. Whether it be to use for my stirrups or other stuff, they can always be useful.

• A planner

I’m the kind of person who likes to take notes on my runs, who likes to have a calendar and a way to organize my thoughts with checklists, so having a planner with me during shows is a must. I now have it in a digital version on my computer, but a good old notebook planner is just as good!

• Snacks

Having a snack on hand when we’re hungry can prevent a lot of frustrations. I always have snack in my truck for the road and in my trailer for moments in the weekend where my friends and I might need an energy boost. This way, no one is every hangry!

• A pocket knife

Whether it be to cut open hay bales or shavings bags, or anything else, having a pocket knife is essential for me! I try to always have one not too far at all times since it can always be useful.

• Sandpaper or a metal brush

My saddle tends to lose its roughtout after a couple of rides, and I find that I don’t stick to it as much as I’d like to. That’s why I always keep something to sand down my fenders in my trailer. I bought a small metal brush at Canadian Tire, it was really cheap and does the job well, so that’s what I’d recommend!

For the horses

• Something to take care of horses’s body and legs

Whether you prefer rubbing your horse’s legs with a lotion or liniment, or therapy equipment like Back On Track, I think it’s essential to have something to take care of our horse’s body and legs after competing. It’s a must for me in my trailer.

• Leave-in shampoo/conditionner

If you’re like me and you have a pale horse, having a leave-in shampoo bottle, like GreenSpot Remover for example, is really essential for shows. Waking up in the morning and realizing that your palomino is now half brown is never fun! With GreenSpot Remover, you’re sure to be able to remove the stains even without a shower.

• Shavings

In the same way as the last essential, I like having shavings in my trailer so I can put some in the horse’s pens at the show. If the ground gets muddy, it protects against stains, and it’s also more comfortable for the horses.

• First aid kit

So important when getting on the road! Having a first aid kit for the horses if an injury or an accident happens is essential. Better safe then sorry.

• Fly spray

When at the show grounds, surrounded by horses, you can’t really escape the flies. A bottle of good fly spray and other fly control produtcs (such as Swat oinment, for example), is necessary so you don’t get too bothered by the flies during your time at the barrel race.

For the truck/trailer

• Small tool bag

Always useful, either to repair something or to make holes in your leather equipment. Having a small bag with basic tools, such as a hammer, screwdrivers, etc., can prevent a lot of problems.

• Stakes and bender straps

If your horse tends to try and escape its pen, having stakes and bender straps is really necessary in order to secure your pen in place. It’s an easy way to have a little more peace of mind, knowing your horse won’t escape and run away during the night.

• A kit to change tires

If you’re stuck with a flat tire on your truck or trailer on the road, you know you’re going to have a bad time. But it’s even worse if you don’t have the necessary tools with you! Having a jack, a spare tire and a trailer aid is essential to avoid more frustrations if you happen to have a flat or burst tire.

• Tack organizer

I’m the kind of person who needs to have an organized tack and that my equipment be neatly organized in the trailer. So I need something to help me with that! A trailer door bag, for example, or transport bags, totes, plastic containers or hooks, and many more. Basically, I need my stuff well organized!

That’s all for my updated show essentials! I hope you found something that can help you on the road this summer. Feel free to share your essentials in the comments!