Over the course of my career competing in dressage, cross country and show jumping, I’ve found that keeping my performance horses’ coats healthy and shiny requires daily attention and a diligent, year-round grooming routine. Consistently caring for my horses’ coats throughout the year not only keeps them healthier overall but also makes competition preparation easier and less time-consuming—and it prevents unnecessary show-day stress.

In addition to my regular grooming regimen, quality nutrition, proper barn management and smart use of shampoos, conditioners and shine-enhancing sprays are crucial components for achieving that pristine horse-show glow.  

Secret in the Seed 

In my experience, the foundation for a healthy, shiny coat starts with good nutrition. Horses lacking essential nutrients won’t be able to grow a healthy coat and strong mane and tail. I ensure my horses’ diets are complete with balanced proportions of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. For picky eaters or horses on limited grain, I sometimes supplement with specific nutrients that can augment shine. Omega-3 fatty acids from healthy fat sources like flaxseeds can especially benefit overall coat health. 

Groom for Gleam  

I thoroughly curry my horses with a rubber currycomb to help loosen caked-in dirt, shedding hairs and dead skin cells and to stimulate the hairs’ natural oil production, which can help enhance shine. I then go over their coats with a stiff body brush using short, brisk strokes to remove any particles stirred up by the currycomb. Next, I use a soft body brush in longer strokes to help smooth the hairs down in their natural direction. 

I top off my grooming routine by applying a coat conditioner to hydrate the hair and enrich coat color. One of my go-to products is Santa Fe Coat Conditioner & Sunscreen. It’s a spray-on conditioner that contains vitamin E and silk proteins to help strengthen and moisturize hair follicles.  

I mist the large areas of my horses’ bodies with the spray and then go over their coats with a soft mitt or fine brush to ensure the conditioner is distributed evenly and to further smooth hairs down. This enhances shine by helping their coats reflect light more uniformly. 

The spray is also useful at shows to help repel dust, dirt and shavings and to prevent stains from setting in. Plus, it’s especially beneficial for my horses with dark coats because its built-in UV protection helps prevent their coats from bleaching out during the summer. 

Mane and Tail Taming

Tail care is an everyday must at my barn. I start by picking out shavings, hay, dirt clods or other debris with my hands. Using a brush to comb out shavings and larger particles often results in unnecessary hair loss and split ends.  

I next thoroughly spray my horses’ tails with ShowSheen Hair Polish & Detangler. Starting from the bottom of the tail, I use my fingers to work the product into the hair and detangle any major knots and then continue all the way up to the dock. If you start at the top, you risk creating split ends that can make tails appear sparse and uneven.  

Once the hair is saturated with the detangler, I find it’s OK to use a wide-toothed comb or a brush designed for tails for any last tangles. The detangler helps soften and smooth down individual hairs to reduce breakage and create a healthier, fuller look for the show ring. I tend to give my horses’ manes the same treatment, but I don’t do it quite as often unless I’m heading to a big event.  

Shower Power 

When it comes to shampooing, I try to limit my horses’ soapy bathes. Shampoos can strip the coat’s natural oils resulting in a dull, lackluster appearance. But in preparation for big events, I use ShowSheen’s 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner to clean and condition the hair in one step. It makes their coats incredibly soft and doesn’t leave a residue.  

During warmer months, I typically rinse off my horses with water every day or every other day due to the heat and humidity. If they’re sweaty after a workout, I rinse off their entire bodies to remove grime or salt residue. Other times, a quick hose to their legs, girth area and chest does the trick. 

To ensure my horses get consistent, quality turnout during the summer, I turn them out overnight to limit heat exposure. But summer rainstorms, along with humidity and mud can lead to bacterial skin issues. Rinsing them off with water after I bring them in from turnout can prevent any skin problems from festering. If my horses get more serious skin issues, I treat affected areas with Silver Honey Medicated Shampoo or Fungasol Shampoo to help the skin fully heal.  

Overall Coat Health 

While a shiny, vibrant coat and silky soft mane and tail are impressive in the show ring, it’s important to keep in mind that the condition of your horse’s coat is an important indicator of his overall health. A dull, rough or sparse coat can be a sign of nutritional deficiency or illness. Gastric ulcers, parasite infection, recurrent colic and hormone imbalances are just a few conditions known to cause dull, lackluster coats. 

If your horse never seems to develop a healthy, glowing coat after you’ve ensured he’s getting the adequate nutrients necessary for shine and implementing a regular grooming routine, work with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be affecting his coat quality.

Show-Day Tips 

• To add polish right before I enter the ring, I apply ShowSheen Finishing Mist or Santa Fe Coat Conditioner & Sunscreen spray to a fleece mitt and work it into the coat. It gives my horses a sleek, shiny look without making their coats slick. 

• Grooming rags are a must for adding shine to my horses’ faces. I simply apply the spray to a rag and use it to brighten up specific areas. 

• For spot cleaning, I spray ShowSheen’s Miracle Groom on any unexpected stains and then use a brush or towel to thoroughly clean. 

• For horses with white markings, I use a brightening shampoo like ShowSheen’s Stain Remover & Whitener to help lift dirt off the skin and hair. You can also add it to a grooming rag and apply it to white facial markings. 

Lainey Ashker 

Five-star eventer and dressage professional Lainey Ashker has competed in numerous FEI competitions at the five-star level, including the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CC14* and the Defender Burghley Horse Trials CC15*. The horsewoman, who trains out of her Keystone Acres farm in Chesterfield, Virginia, also won the National Eventing Championship (Advanced Level) in 2013 aboard her long-time mount, Anthony Patch. More recently, she won her first CDI in May 2023 aboard her upper-level dressage horse, Zeppelin.  

To read about Lainey Ashker’s winning recipe for healthy hooves, click here.