Tips for a Professional Turnout

In a previous post titled, "The Importance of a Professional Appearance", I promised to share some of my favorite tips for good turnout. Here are a few of the things I've learned along the way:

For Humans

• Hang your suit jacket in the car rather than wearing it while you drive. The jacket survives the trip in better condition.
  
• When lint rollers are scarce, an open roll of Vetrap™ or other self-adhering support bandage is a fabulous substitute.
• Keep a comb, lip balm, tissues, hair nets, hair pins, safety pins, personal essentials and a few dollars in a spare makeup case in the garment bag that goes with you to shows, interviews and other important events.
• When going to the barn in the winter and early spring, always keep a set of spare clothes in the car. I had the misfortune of falling in mud once. Cold, wet mud under chaps is just about the worst.
• If you have the opportunity to change later, don't wear your show clothes while catching and grooming your horse. If you won't have an opportunity to change, find the lightest weight Bermuda shorts or yoga pants and large t-shirt to wear over your show clothes.

For Horses

• Keep your brushes clean. I try to clean mine at least once a month.
• Dawn dish soap is your friend. It is safe for cleaning brushes, bits, irons, extra grimy tack, horses, horse wounds and much more.
  
• The copper wire brush found in the Pro Shop for cleaning golf balls is fabulous for cleaning Velcro fasteners on saddle pads and horse boots.
• Never underestimate the power of a good curry and brush session. The application of a lot of elbow grease can make a horse shine, even when it's too cold to bathe.
  
• Curry just a few circles and then whack the curry against the back of the brush in your other hand or the bottom of your boot. The curry raises the dirt to the surface so clearing dirt from the comb prevents it from being forced back to the horse's skin.
• If you can, hot towel your horse after the initial curry and brush. This effectively steam cleans your horse by raising even more dirt to the surface, which can then be wiped off with the towel or brushed off with a finishing brush. This gives you the bathed look without being soaked. (Fill a bucket with hot water and lay a towel over the top. The steam rising off the water dampens the towel, which is then held to the horse and slowly drawn along the coat's surface. You will need to work quickly to finish while the water in the bucket is still hot enough to steam.)
• Hooves brushed clear of debris and supplied with a quick coat of hoof conditioner make for a better showing.
• Always remove burdocks. Patience and leave in conditioner. Do take the "unicorn" picture first though!
  

These are my favorites. I'd love to learn more. Tell me, what works for you?

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