How We Prepare: McLean County Fair Edition
This is how we prepare for the McLean County Fair, which is a week long event. Organized lists are a must and assigning tasks to each individual help the process go smoothly. The month leading up to the fair is a time to clean and check tack for anything needing repairs. Leather can have wear spots, prone to breaking points and causing safety issues. Saddle soap is the best cleaner for leather tack such as saddles, bridles and halters. Drying time is important if you are in a climate with humidity. After the cleaning process it is important to protect the leather with a conditioner and or neatsfoot oil. These products keep the leather pliable and soft, resisting breaks and tears. When cleaning tack remember riding boots and spur straps are also leather, cleaned in the same manner.
In order to keep horses on the same feeding schedule when at the fair, you should bring the same feed with you. It is a time saver to ration out grain per animal, per day and label accordingly. Horses that require extra supplements or special nutrition additives need those measured and labeled also. Plan to feed extra hay when at the fair to alleviate boredom when horses are stalled for long periods of time. A good formula is to plan twice the amount of hay normally fed at home for the week long fair. This ensures you won’t run short and have to make an extra trip home to haul in more hay.
Water buckets need to be brought also and hooks or chains to hang them inside the stall for safety and ease for the animals to drink. Each horse needs a bucket and we bring two buckets that are five gallons each with lids for filling from the hydrant and hauling to each horses stall. The lids are good to eliminate spills and keep the water clean while transporting.
Stalls are lined with fresh bedding daily and we use a combination of pine flakes and pine pellets to absorb liquid. Each horse will need one bag of flakes and one bag of pellets per day. Add extra bags to the total needed for backup. If a horse spills the full water bucket, all the bedding will be wet and would need to be changed out at that time. Picking out stalls needs to be done several times per day to reduce odors and flies. A large muck bucket is handy with a cart that has wheels. Forks with wide tines are used to sift through the shavings, collecting the manure and leaving the good bedding behind.
One to two weeks before the fair is a good time to have horses hooves trimmed and or a new set of shoes put on. This timing gives the horse a chance to adjust to the shorter hooves and not have sore feet. Clipping excess hair from ears, face and legs can also be done at this time. Tail hair can be braided or put in a tail bag to keep clean and tangle free. Mane hair can be braided or trimmed and conditioned for easy management.
Trailer tires need to be checked and balance for the proper PSI of air. Brakes and wheel bearings should also be checked for function and greased if needed. Truck tires and brakes should also be serviced. It is a good idea to hook up the horse trailer a week before loading to check that all lights and turn signals are in working order. Gates and latches should be checked for safety and function.
A few days before leaving for the fair is the time to load items in the trailer if they are protected from the weather. Often you can enter the fairgrounds ahead of the start date and haul in feed, bedding, equipment and supplies. This extra trip is worth the time to set up stalls and unload the bulky items such as hay and bedding to make room in the trailer for the animals and tack.
The day before leaving for the fair is a good time to give each horse a thorough bath, clipping and grooming. Look over each animal for scrapes or areas that need attention. Take bandages, medicine and wound care items to the fair for emergencies. Horses will need another bath at the fairgrounds so pack soap, conditioner, fly spray, show sheen and all grooming tools.
Load tack in the trailer ahead of the animals. Saddles, blankets, bridles, reins, halters, lead ropes, tie downs, bell boots, splint boots, leg wraps, spurs, lunge ropes and anything else you might possibly need. Show clothes should be in protective bags to avoid dust and on hangers to keep in good shape until used. Helmets and hats should be in boxes to stay protected also.
Food and snacks are a must to pack and coolers with water and drinks are necessary. Horse shows can run through mealtimes and food isn’t always available to purchase on the grounds.
Horses must have a current Coggins test to enter a horse show. Bring the paperwork and contact information for the veterinarian you use to the horse show. Put an emergency contact card on the front of each horses stall with your information so you can be reached if needed.
When loading horses in a trailer it is important to stay calm and not rush each animal. Horses are leery of enclosed spaces and need time to adjust to the space, sounds and lighting differences. The driver of the truck and trailer should have all focus on the road and surroundings when hauling live animals. Extra stopping distance is required when pulling a load of horses and turns should be made gradually and smoothly.
Upon reaching the fairgrounds unloading the horses is the priority. Taking the animals to the assigned stall is best to get settled in. Water and hay should be available right away. Next unload all the tack and equipment organizing it for efficient use during the week. Park the truck and trailer where it is easily accessible in case of an emergency.
Try to keep your animals on the same feeding schedule they are used to at home with additional hay during the times the animal isn’t competing. Check in with your paperwork and confirm your entries. You will be given a rider number to be identified with for the classes you have entered.
Notice any behavior changes in your animals while at the fairgrounds and make adjustments if necessary.
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