Taking Care of Your Nails as an Equestrian: Does It Really Matter?

We all know horses don’t care about your manicure, but does that mean equestrians should give up on nail care entirely? In most equestrian sports, there aren’t strict, written rules about how your nails must look or how long they can be. BUT there are some widely accepted safety and etiquette guidelines riders tend to follow. Let’s break it down!

Why nail care actually matters for riders

You might think nice nails are just for show, but there’s more to it:

Comfort & safety: Long, broken, or jagged nails can scratch your horse, catch on tack, or painfully tear while grooming and lets not forget snag on the mesh sleeves of your favorite sun shirt.
Professionalism: Whether you’re a trainer, working student, or just love posting barn selfies, tidy nails look put-together and yes, people do notice!
Self-care matters: Horse life is messy, but a small beauty routine can boost your mood and confidence.

Nail care tips that actually survive barn life

Keep them short & practical
Even the toughest gel manicure won’t help if your nails are too long to tighten your girth or hold your reins comfortably. Opt for a neat, rounded shape that won’t snag.

Choose barn-proof polish
Speaking from experience, I’ve tried both gel polish and dip polish. Keeping horses at home and working through all the barn chores like stalls, throwing hay, fixing fencing etc, the dip polish has been a complete game changer. I usually chip gel polish within a few days of a professional manicure. The dip polish lasts me 2-3 WEEKS..

• Gel polish or dip powder lasts longer and resists chips
• Neutral or sheer colors hide wear better than bold shades
• A simple clear strengthening coat helps nails stay healthy

Gloves are your secret weapon
Yes, even in the summer! Thin nitrile gloves protect nails during bathing, medicating, or applying sticky fly spray.

Moisturize like crazy
Barn air is dry, flys sprays, liniments and other grooming supplies can strip oils, and dirt is abrasive. Keep a small hand cream in your tack trunk and apply daily.

Cuticle oil is magic
One swipe after washing your hands makes nails look fresh and keeps cuticles from cracking.

Accept that perfection is optional
Barn life is unpredictable. Even the best manicure may chip, and that’s okay! Horses won’t judge, and neither should you.

Fun facts: Horses vs. nails

• Hoof walls and human nails are both made of keratin (so your farrier and your nail tech work with the same stuff, kind of!)
• Horses’ hooves grow about ¼ inch per month, human fingernails grow about the same!
• Just like us, diet and health affect hoof and nail quality , so maybe share those biotin supplements?

At the end of the day, your horse doesn’t care if your nails are chipped, glittery, or covered in fly spray. But taking a few minutes to care for your hands can make barn life feel a little more balanced.

Do you ride with painted nails or keep them bare?
Share your best barn nail hacks (or funniest manicure fails) in the comments!