How to Prepare a Hackney Pony for a Show
Preparing a Hackney pony for a show is time intensive. For every show, a Hackney pony must be cleaned, groomed and prepared for the standards of the class(es) the pony will enter. Don't forget your tack; ensure your harness and cart are also clean and shiny, so as to impress the judges.
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Instructions
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Clean your Hackney pony. This can be done the day before but should not be done prior to that. Give your pony a solid bath, shampoo the pony's entire body, mane and tail. When the pony is dry, spray Show Sheen on him and then rub it in with a dry towel. This enables any dirt he might get on him before the show to come off easily and will make your pony shiny and soft.
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Groom the mane. If you are showing in the Hackney Harness Pony Class or Pleasure Class, the pony needs to be shown with a long mane. Spray a mane and tail detangler in the mane and comb it and brush it; the cleaner and more flowing his mane and tail the better he will look. Ensure his mane and tail are brushed and combed; a mane and tail detangler is helpful. If you are showing in Hackney Cob Tail Classes, the pony's tail must be braided. Your braids should be evenly spaced, approximately an inch apart. Use your comb to measure and make sure each braid is the same width. Folding the braids twice will leave you with a neat button. It is important the braids are neat and uniform in appearance.
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Groom the tail. If you are showing in the Hackney Harness Pony Class, your pony's tail should be long and flowing. Spray the tail with mane and tail detangler and comb and brush it until it is flowing. For the Hackney Cob Tail Class, the pony must have a short tail, which should be neat and clean in appearance. For the Pleasure Class, the tail can be either short or long. None of the Hackney pony classes require a braided tail.
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Ensure your pony's hooves are clean and shiny. A hoof polish or varnish is helpful to achieve this appearance.
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Tips & Warnings
It is important to follow basic safety rules when being around ponies and horses. Watch their feet and pay attention to your body in relation to your animal.
