The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

How important is a vacuum for showing?

2K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  aforred 
#1 ·
So I've been reading a lot of showing articles online, getting myself psyched up for next year's show season. I'll be hitting all the breed shows and I want to be as professional as possible when I go out to show. I've spent the last 10 years learning the basics of breed showing, and now I want to kick it up a notch and be as competitive as I can.

So as far as grooming goes, practically everyone uses a horse vacuum. I have never used one before, because I can usually get my horse very shiny just with some elbow grease.

My old shiny black horse with no vacuuming:


But because everyone swears by vacuums, I'm just wondering if it is really worth the investment to get one? Has anyone ever used one and has it made a considerable difference?

Plus, I hope to be showing in some halter classes, lungeline, and in-hand trail. So all of those classes definitely have an emphasis on turn-out.

Then I also have to desensitize my yearling to a vacuum, which I'm not terribly worried about, but still.

Any opinions?


Also - quick showie questions -
Are white bands on a chestnut mane still in? I think they look adorable.
Do you always paint the hooves black, even if they are beige? (First horse with white socks)
When is it appropriate to wear the yearling fake tail?

Thanks xD I keep a journal of all my collected showing information so that I may reference it for later on, so any articles or videos you can point me to would be great as well.
 
See less See more
1
#2 ·
I use a vacuum all the time in winter. It gets them very clean since hosing them off after a ride isn't an option.

I will also use a vacuum any time the horse has caked mud on them. It's faster, does a better job at getting the fine dust off, and then I dont get as dirty. It's a win-win all around.
 
#3 ·
I use a shop vac and a dirt devil on mine. Cheaper than those marketed towards horses and works well.

For shows though, while a great tool I still don't think they are a replacement for good elbow grease. Nothing puts the polish on like a good chamois cloth and some work.
 
#6 ·
We only use the vacuum at the really big circuits or world shows.

Are white bands on a chestnut mane still in? I think they look adorable.
-- Only if you are really good at banding and your horse has an amazing topline.

Do you always paint the hooves black, even if they are beige? (First horse with white socks)
--Not really. I don't black anymore, just use gloss.

When is it appropriate to wear the yearling fake tail?
-- LL, in-hand trail, and if he's a performance horse, go ahead and use it in the halter.
 
#10 ·
If your horse begins to freak out with the whole business of the vacuum, don't tie him but hold the lead. With mine, if he was tied, he roll his eyes and almost sit down. As soon as I threw the rope over his back he'd stand quietly all day if needed. He was one of those that because he could leave, he'd stay. He was a dark bay and what surprised me when I was finished vacuumng, he was more like a blood bay. It showed me how much the dirt affected his coat color. Beautiful shine to it.
 
#11 ·
SS about covered it:D I know very few people that ever use a vac.
Bands usually the same color as mane.Although if they have dual color mane use what looks best.ie: On my Bay/white mare I use black bands on her primarily black mane but she has a white section in her mane & black still looks good on that.
Black hooves seem more optional now,I know i have gone to the clear,easier:lol:
I find most the yearlings are sporting fake tails:D particularily in the IHT & LL.

I haven't used a vac or even thought of it much actually:-| but In our climate I think I should test out my shop vac on mine for the at home use I think I may find it useful:lol:
 
#12 ·
I use a vacuum when I need to, particularly in winter or at shows when washing isn't convenient. It works best after a thorough curry comb session. I don't use any attachments, just my hand cupped over the end of the hose to control suction.

A vacuum is NOT necessary: it just makes things easier. And it certainly will not replace elbow grease to get a great coat. And I have found that most horses tolerate it with a short introductory session. I've even seen quite a few that seem to like it. Just a side note; I have one that also functions as a blower, which makes cleaning tack and blankets easier.

For chestnut manes I would use the chestnut bands, simply because my horses are not perfectly conformed and I'm not the best at banding manes.

For hooves, I don't have the dilemma you do. I show apps, and hoof black is not allowed. I just reread a book on halter, in which the author says he prefers hoof black on all four feet to make them look as similar as possible. The only hooves I black belong to the show steers. :)

ETA: Some trainers never use water on their horses, and these generally use vacuums a lot.
 
#15 ·
If you're going to use attachments, I would use an animal one. They are less likely to pull on the skin. It is important to not let the vacuum set against any part for too long, regardless of attachment, because bruises can develop.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top