What Do Equestrians Do After The Horse Show Ends?

A horse show might end when the last ribbon is handed out, but for equestrians, that’s really just the halfway point. The real work kicks in behind the scenes and it’s just as important as the classes themselves.

Here’s what typically happens step by step once the show day is officially over:

1. Immediate Horse Care

The horse always comes first, no matter how tired the rider feels. Key steps include:

• Cool Down: Walk the horse until their breathing returns to normal.
• Bath or Rinse: Remove sweat, dirt, and any grooming products; keeps the coat healthy and comfortable.
• Leg Check: Inspect for heat, swelling, or cuts. Apply liniment, poultice, or ice boots if needed to prevent soreness.
• Feeding & Water: Offer hay and fresh water. Add electrolytes if it’s been a long, hot day.
• Wrapping: After jumping or long days on hard ground, horses’ legs can sometimes “stock up” (mild swelling from fluid pooling). Standing wraps help support circulation and gently compress the legs to prevent or reduce this.

2. Tack & Equipment Cleanup

Show days can leave tack covered in sweat and dust. Riders usually:

• Wipe Down Tack: Clean sweat off saddles, bridles, girths, and bits to protect leather and metal parts.
• Pack Up Gear: Load grooming supplies, blankets, wraps, and other show-day essentials into trunks or tack boxes.
• Disassemble Setup: Take down tents, folding chairs, and any portable stalls or fans brought to the show.

3. Stall & Show Grounds Cleanup

For multi-day shows where horses stay overnight:

• Collect Dirty Laundry: Organize all of your dirty laundry for you and your horse. This makes washing and reorganizing for your next show a breeze!
• Trash Pick Up: Go through your tack trunk, tack room and stabling area and dispose of any unwanted items and trash that has accumulated over the show. This helps keep the show grounds tidy for everyone.
• Empty and Store Show Buckets: Many of us will have a second set of buckets just for shows, to make life easier when it comes to away shows. Before you pack up those buckets make sure to rinse them and dry them well before storing! There’s nothing worse than unpacking for a show and finding moldy feed growing in your horses buckets. Make sure feed bins and hay nets are emptied or packed away securely.
• Pre/Post Show Packing List: Before loading up and heading home, go through your packing list one last time and make sure you have everything, including any left over bagged shavings, hay, grain or supplements.

4. Post-Show Reflection & Planning

After the packing is done, it’s time to load up and head home. The ride home is always a time to review what went right and what you need to work on before your next competition.

• Watch Videos: Watch your rounds as well as the rounds of riders who did well in your division. Watching trips can help you visualize what judges want to see as well as what worked and what needs improvement.
• Trainer Feedback: Discuss with a trainer or coach to plan next steps in training and what you should be working on at home.
• Log Results: Note placings, judge comments, and how the horse felt in a training journal or app. Keeping a journal can be really helpful when starting your competition journey or bringing along a young horse. It’s easy to lose sight of small victories, a journal can help you see the big picture instead of focusing on small bumps in the journey.

5. Rider Recovery

Only after everything else is handled do riders take care of themselves:

• Change Clothes: Swap breeches and boots for comfortable clothes.
• Food & Hydration: Grab a meal , usually something quick like sandwiches, fast food, or snacks packed from home.
• Social Media Updates: Share favorite moments, behind-the-scenes photos, and results.
• Rest: Get a good night’s sleep to recover for travel or the next day’s classes.

6. Looking Ahead

Once home, the post-show process continues:

• Deep Clean: Fully clean and condition tack and wash saddle pads, wraps, and show clothes.
• Vet or Bodywork: Schedule checkups or massages if the horse seemed stiff or sore.
• Plan Training: Adjust the horse’s exercise routine based on what was learned at the show. Even if the show didn’t go as planned, it’s best to give your horse a day off or two to rest before working for your next goal.
• Prep for Next Show: Review calendars, update packing lists, put clean show gear back where it belongs – in your show trunk or your show gear bag, replinish any items in your trunk that may be running low like shampoos, sprays etc
• Finally: Find some quiet time to set realistic goals to help you succeed at your next competition.

Why It Matters

The work done in the days following a show is crucial:

• Keeps horses healthy and comfortable both mentally and physically
• Extends the life of tack and gear
• Helps riders make goals, plan and improve for the future

And while it might not be glamorous, it’s a huge part of why equestrian sports are about partnership, dedication, and care, far beyond the show ring.