Horse shows are an exciting opportunity for competitive riders to showcase their skills and hard work. However, with so much hustle and bustle, it's easy for your horse to become anxious or stressed.
That’s why understanding the ways you can keep your horse calm at shows is crucial. With the right preparation and techniques, you can help your horse feel more relaxed, creating a positive experience for everyone involved.
Familiarize Your Horse With Show-Like Environments
Preparation is key when easing show-day nerves for your horse. One effective way to help your horse stay calm is by introducing them to environments similar to a show setting. Taking your horse to busy arenas or other venues with a lot of activity beforehand will help them adjust to the sights and sounds that come with horse shows.
Exposing your horse to the noise, smells, and presence of other horses before competition day reduces the likelihood of them getting overwhelmed. This gradual exposure allows them to process new stimuli calmly rather than all at once during a show.
Practice Traveling With Your Horse
Many horses find traveling stressful, and the ride to the showgrounds can set the tone for the day. Practicing loading, unloading, and riding in the trailer before the show is a great way to minimize stress.
If your horse associates the trailer with positive experiences, they’re more likely to stay relaxed during travel. Make sure the ride and trailer are comfortable for your horse. Provide padding, suitable bedding, and adequate ventilation for fresh air and temperature regulation.
Consistent practice will help your horse become familiar with the process. You can make traveling to the show a routine event rather than an anxiety-inducing affair.
Create a Calming Pre-Show Routine
Horses thrive on routine, and having a pre-show ritual can help reduce their stress. Establishing calming activities leading up to the event will signal to your horse that it's time to relax. For instance, walking around the showgrounds before your class can help your horse familiarize itself with the surroundings.
Incorporating gentle grooming into your routine is another great way to relax your horse. Grooming helps you bond with your horse, and the rhythmic motion of brushing can have a calming effect. Adding activities like light lunging or hand-walking can help release any pent-up energy, making it easier for your horse to stay calm during showtime.
Give Your Horse Ample Time To Rest Before the Show
Just like humans, horses need proper rest before a big day. Traveling, new environments, and competing can cause physical and mental exhaustion to take over.
Ensure your horse gets plenty of rest in the days leading up to the show. Overworking them beforehand can lead to irritability and anxiety.
Allow your horse to rest in a quiet and familiar environment, whether at home or the showgrounds if you stay overnight. Keep their stall clean and comfortable and provide plenty of water and food to keep them hydrated and nourished.
Use Calming Supplements Wisely
Calming supplements can help your horse manage its anxiety, but you should use them with care and only after consulting a veterinarian. These supplements often contain natural ingredients, like magnesium or herbs, that promote relaxation without sedating the horse. It’s important to choose supplements that comply with the regulations of the horse show you’re attending.
If you use calming supplements, introduce them into your horse's routine well before the show to see how they react. Doing so will help you avoid any surprises on the day of the competition.
Focus on Your Own Calmness
Horses are incredibly intuitive creatures and often feed off the emotions of their rider. If you’re nervous or stressed, your horse will notice.
Maintaining a calm demeanor is one of the most effective ways to help your horse stay relaxed. Practice deep breathing exercises, focus on positive thoughts, and manage your emotions when interacting with your horse.
A solid show-day plan will also help reduce your stress, which benefits your horse. Give yourself enough time for grooming and warming up so you don't feel rushed. A smooth, stress-free process lets you both enter the ring feeling calm and ready.
Limit Stimulation in the Show Environment
At a horse show, many things can overwhelm your horse—other horses, new sounds, and unfamiliar people. To keep your horse calm, limit unnecessary stimulation where possible. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic until it’s time for your class.
Some horses feel more comfortable wearing a fly mask or bonnet at shows to limit distractions. Keep your horse's stall quiet and peaceful and give them enough space to rest between events.
By reducing the amount of stimulation your horse experiences, you create a relaxing environment that allows them to shine during the competition.
Incorporate Groundwork and Exercises for Focus
Incorporating groundwork exercises into your routine is an effective way to help your horse stay calm and focused in competitive spaces. Groundwork strengthens the bond between you and your horse while reinforcing discipline and focus.
Simple exercises like yielding the hindquarters or backing up can help your horse stay mentally engaged, which leaves less room for anxiety to enter. Working on focus-building exercises at home will make it easier to apply these techniques in stressful environments like shows. The more you practice, the more your horse will associate the exercises with staying calm and centered.
Reward Calm Behavior
Positive reinforcement is key to keeping your horse relaxed at shows. Whenever your horse remains calm in a potentially stressful situation, reward them with a treat, a pat, or verbal praise. These actions let your horse know that staying calm is the desired behavior.
Positive reinforcement can prove helpful in the warm-up ring, where many horses become agitated by the activity around them. If your horse stays focused and calm, rewarding them supports that good behavior.
Know Your Horse’s Limits
Every horse is different, and while some may thrive in high-pressure environments, others may need extra care and attention. Pay close attention to how your horse responds to show settings and recognize their limits.
If your horse becomes overly anxious, it’s important not to push them over the edge. You may need to scale back and focus on smaller shows until your horse builds more confidence.
Building your horse's confidence takes time, and working at a pace that makes both of you comfortable is essential. Recognizing your horse’s unique needs will lead to more successful show days.
Keeping your horse calm at shows is essential for their well-being and your performance as a competitive rider. With these strategies, you can reduce anxiety and create a more positive show experience for your horse.
As you prepare for your next competition, you’ll need the best equipment for horses to ensure their comfort and security. Coolhorse offers premium riding gear and accessories that will help your horse tackle any challenges they may face. You and your horse can shine at every show with patience, practice, and the right approach!