Do you have a Halloween horse show coming up? Are you planning to ride in a costume class? Costume classes are great opportunities to show off both yourself and your horse in a whole new light, but when you introduce costumes to horses, things can get interesting. Follow these tips to ensure that you and your horse stays safe and relaxed during your costume class.

Hold a Trial Run

As you finish up your horse’s costume, it’s a great idea to hold a trial run to make sure that it fits and that your horse is comfortable and relaxed wearing it. You should consider whether you want to dress him in his horse stall, horse stable, or outside the barn doors all together. Giving your horse time to adjust to the strange sensation of a costume without the added distractions of a show day can mean that your horse is better able to handle the costume class. If other riders and horses at your barn will be participating in the class, ask them if they’d like to get together to do a trial run so that your horses have time to see other costumes, too.

Put the Costume on Slowly

When you do put your costume on your horse, do so slowly and gradually. Remember to keep general horse safety procedures in mind – even though you may trust your horse to be well behaved, remember that the foreign presence of a costume can cause a horse to react unexpectedly. Leave yourself enough time before the costume class to take your time and put the costume on the horse slowly enough so that you are both comfortable and relaxed.

Give Your Horse Time to Look Around

Once you have your horse’s costume on, walk him around a bit and let him look at his surroundings. Your horse may react to the costumes being worn by other horses, so try to expose him to them from a distance before he has to encounter them in the riding arena. Walking your costumed horse will also help to familiarize him with the sensation of the costume as he moves.

Enlist the Help of a Leader

Having a leader is never a bad idea when competing in a costume class. A leader can provide additional reassurance to you in case your horse spooks. At the same time, a leader’s presence on the ground can help to reassure your horse. If you know that you will be having someone lead your horse during the costume class, then you can even plan ahead and costume the leader, too.

Don’t forget, a well-designed costume can help to keep your horse comfortable during a costume class. Be sure to check out the Classic Equine Equipment blog for tips about designing a costume for your horse.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/willwill91/4724521075

Original Source: Tips for Riding in a Halloween Costume Class