“Everyone knows ShowSheen. It’s across all disciplines and is in everyone’s tack trunk because it’s great for shine and detangling,” she noted. “But I wanted to provide you with a little tidbit that I learned from a top five-star eventing groom.”

Tail care is a must at Ashker’s barn, and to get the best effect, she thoroughly sprays her horses’ tails with ShowSheen. Then, starting from the bottom, she uses her fingers to work the product into the hair all the way up to the dock and allows it to dry before brushing.

“This activates the detangling portion of the product, so that when you do go to brush out your horse’s tail, you won’t break any hair, which can eventually make the tail look thin and sparse,” she said. “This horse specifically has a fake tail, so I really want to avoid pulling or breaking those hairs, too. I also use the same treatment on my horses’ manes because of the great detangling effect it has on the individual hairs.”

In addition to using ShowSheen keep her horse’s manes and tails glowing and tangle-free, Ashker also applies it to her horses’ coats to bring out extra shine for the show ring. “I apply it to their coats when they’re still a little wet,” she said. “I think of it like a leave-in conditioner when you’re coming out of the shower, and it really creates that nice shine.”

Watch Ashker’s video below to learn how you can use her tips to keep your horse’s mane, tail and coat healthy and shiny.

About Laine 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.  

This video is brought to you by Absorbine.

For More:

• Learn how to beat the bugs this summer with Laine Ashker’s top tips for fly control here.
• Gallop a CCI3* cross-country course with Ashker in this high-velocity GoPro footage, where she shares her strategies for tackling each obstacle over the challenging track at Maryland’s Fair Hill here.

The Evolution of ShowSheen 

In 1974, Absorbine® launched what was to become the gold standard of grooming products: ShowSheen. The iconic first-of-its-kind grooming spray is the world’s No. 1 grooming aid.  

Over the years, Absorbine developed a collection of effective ShowSheen products that have become staples in tack trunks worldwide. Owners keep their horses looking their best in the show arena and on the trail with ShowSheen.  

Top riders, like Nicholas Fyffe of Marcus Fyffe Dressage, rely on ShowSheen to keep their horses feeling and looking their best in and out of the show arena. Nicholas says, “Being based in Wellington year-round means that our horses sweat heavily in the summer, and this can lead to dry skin and other irritations from grooming products and frequent hosing. We recommend the ShowSheen Hair Polish and Detangler not just because it gives our horses’ coats a nice shine but the provitamins keep the skin nourished, looking good and feeling healthy.” From daily care to show-ready shine, ShowSheen has become the grooming spray riders of all disciplines and levels trust to keep their horses healthy and looking their best. 

Enhance Your Grooming Routine with ShowSheen 

ShowSheen products are meticulously formulated by haircare professionals, with top-quality, salon-inspired ingredients that deliver exceptional results — keeping your horses’ coats, manes, and tails healthy and looking luminous. Each product in the ShowSheen line promotes your horses’ health and wellbeing with pro-vitamins, silk proteins, and other ingredients to moisturize and nourish coats, manes, and tails.  

The Science Behind the Shine 

• Clinically proven to reduce breakage by 40% across independent, repeated grooming experiments comparing broken fibers. 
• Proven to instantly add volume and improve appearance by filling and smoothing the hair shaft, as seen when comparing and analyzing surface hair fiber condition using scanning electron microscopy. 
• Decreases dry combing force by 38% as demonstrated by brushing trials measuring frictional forces. 

Building a Bond 

The bond between horse and rider strengthens during your regular grooming routine. Grooming not only has physical benefits, such as helping maintain healthy skin and coat, but it also has emotional benefits for both horse and rider. Taking the time to groom your horse allows for bonding, trust-building, and communication.  

Grooming is More than Just Cleaning 

Grooming is not just about cleaning your horse; it’s an opportunity to give back and bond with your equine partner. This time together should be enjoyable for your horse, promoting relaxation and comfort. Understanding the right pressure levels and techniques is essential for making grooming a positive experience. Observing your horse’s reactions will guide you in refining your technique, ensuring each grooming session is enjoyable for both of you. ShowSheen products complement these techniques, ensuring grooming is an effective and rewarding experience. 

Trusted Legacy 

Trusted for generations, ShowSheen helps bring out the true radiance in horses of all trots of life, whether they’re in the winner’s circle or just enjoying time in the pasture. Here’s to fifty golden years of impeccable grooming—and to many more to come. 

Brought to you by:

About Cayden Hill

Cayden Hill was introduced to horses through his mother. He grew up riding ponies and doing some showing, but for many years it was a hobby rather than a career. His original profession was team building in consulting and operations management. When he decided to take a break from corporate life, he connected with Jonathan and Kelly Millar and started at Millar Brooke South in 2021. There he wears many hats, including help coordinating the horses, managing staff, and grooming and riding numerous horses. His philosophy of horse care always comes down to “horses first.”

Have you seen these other Team Millar videos?

The Mental Side of Show Jumping with Amy Millar
Lunging Your Horse Safely and Effectively with Ian Millar

Learn all year from the show jumping experts at Team Millar. Check back every month for more Team Millar Tips brought to you by Absorbine!

Horse showing is a lot like NASCAR. Pre-competition primping starts the night before so that everyone is ready for the inevitable “hurry up and wait” of race day. Pit crews and drivers furiously work from a “war wagon” stocked with preferred tools and products for fine-tuning months and years of hard work.

Riders, too, invest countless hours preparing for a show and, like pit crews, they know the devil is in the details. A well-stocked grooming tote is a fraction of the size of a pit-crew’s “war wagon,” but is as strategically equipped with just the right products to make show prep a breeze.

This guide will serve as a reference for show grooming tips, helpful products, and countdown timeline leading up to the moment your horse is about to walk into the ring. Buckle your seatbelts! Here’s what you need in your grooming arsenal to achieve that shine that gets compliments from judges, trainers and fellow competitors.

The Day Before the Show: Nose to Tail Bath Time
Time to put on the brakes and scrub-a-dub-dub! A nose-to-tail bath removes dirt and grime that can leave a horse’s coat looking dull. First, check the weather to make sure your horse won’t catch a chill. Then thoroughly hose your horse to wet his entire coat before applying shampoo.

The secret to achieving a high-gloss shine is in the shampoo. ShowSheen® 2-In-1 Shampoo & Conditioner deep cleans and conditions hair in one easy step, saving you time without sacrificing shine. Plus, it’s specially designed for your horse’s sensitive skin and leaves the coat, mane and tail as soft as a cozy fleece blanket.

Protect all your hard work with ShowSheen®. Professional grooms never go to a show without it. Showsheen® creates a barrier between your horse’s coat and stain-causing dirt, manure and mud for a faster day-of spot cleaning. A flysheet or light sheet adds an extra layer of coverage for horses who like to roll after a bath.

Six Hours Count Down: Pre-dawn Grooming Touch Ups and Preening 

Start warming up your engine! The show may not start until 8 a.m. and your first class may not begin until noon, but there’s plenty of pre-show grooming prep to fill the morning. Horses who like to snuggle into a deep sleep overnight often wake up with isolated manure patches that need cleaning and shavings coating their mane and tail. We’ve all witnessed this early morning surprise and if you haven’t, your time is coming! 

Save time by spot cleaning manure stains with ShowSheen® Stain Remover and Whitener. As a bonus, this combo product makes white markings sparkle without having to use harsh cleaners or bluing agents.

Fight your horse’s new shaving bedhead style with ShowSheen® Hair Polish & Detangler. Spritz it on to instantly detangle manes and tails and highlight your horse’s coat color and muscle definition. As an added bonus—it eliminates static under blankets.

T-minus One Hour: Ringside Hoof Touch Ups
You wouldn’t go to a formal event without a pedicure. Your horse shouldn’t step into the pen or ring without one either. SuperShine® Hoof Polish & Sealer comes in clear and black so you can comply with association and discipline rules. 

The start line is in sight! Its quick-drying formula means it dries in less than 60 seconds. Stand your horse on a piece of cardboard or a clean, hard surface. With a steady hand paint a straight line at the coronet band. Fill in the remainder of the hoof with polish. Paint the heels and the back of the shoes so that everything is covered. Let the hooves dry. Don’t forget to wear a pair of gloves while handling black hoof polish to prevent it from spilling on your hands and transferring to the horse or tack.

It’s Horse Show Time: Focusing with Fly spray and SPF
Nothing ruins a show ring performance faster than annoying insects. Pesky flies distract your horse from the task at hand and detract from an overall polished performance. Before striding through the gate give one last head-to-hoof application of fly spray. With UltraShield’s multiple fly control options, you can adjust your protection depending on weather, insect intensity, and your horse’s activity level.

Now you’re ready! Take a deep breath and smile. Judges look for an exhibitor’s confidence along with a high polish shine. When the show is over, celebrate your achievements and set your goals for the next competition. Before turning your horse out to pasture, use Santa Fe horse coat conditioner and sunscreen for a deep conditioning and coat fade protection.

Post Show Grooming Year-Round Care
After your final lap, it’s important to remember that no amount of grooming can substitute for proper nutrition, good horsemanship, a regular deworming program and a health plan with your veterinarian. 

A healthy coat naturally glistens while an unhealthy coat will always be dull. Work with your veterinarian to develop a ration to support your horse’s digestive health and to create a deworming schedule suitable for your horse.

“For that showstopping tail, ShowSheen is my go-to because I don’t like to brush my tails often. You (of course) want them to be thick, full, shiny and tangle free as we all covet a great tail. ShowSheen is always great to have in the tail so that it doesn’t get caught or pulled out on leg straps, buckets, stall guards, or whatever may be around,” says Corcoran. “I like to spray ShowSheen in the tail as soon as I put the horse in the cross ties. Then I go about my grooming routine all over their body and come back to the tail when it’s dry. Then I can easily pick out the debris like shavings, twigs, and big knots with ease. I also spray ShowSheen in their tail right after giving them a bath. That way, the horse’s tail is nice and slick from the get-go!”

Formulated by hair care professionals, ShowSheenOriginal Hair Polish & Detangler is clinically proven to smooth hair, improve detangling and significantly reduce hair breakage for fuller, longer manes and tails. It repels dust, dirt, and prevents stains to keep horses cleaner longer. And of course, ShowSheen is renowned for providing stronger, healthier hair and an unparalleled radiant shine.

Like the insight into a pro’s secret sauce to horse care? Want answers to additional question? Click here to read more from our Pros. 

Max Corcoran grew up in northeastern Massachusetts where she hunted with the Myopia Hunt and did some lower level eventing as a working student for Bobby Costello. She went to Proctor Academy and Northeastern University and started a career in the investment world, but eventually came back to the horses. She ended up at the O’Connor Event Team in the fall of 2001 and continued there for the next 11 years traveling to many championships and top events around the country and the world. She now continues to freelance groom around the US and the world and also organizes competitions in the US. She is the incoming president of the USEA where she will focus on horse care and management. Max now lives in Ocala, FL with her partner Australian Olympic Show Jumper Scott Keach.

Ask a Pro Question 1: Achieving a showstopping tail

Corcoran understands what all of us horse lovers love: a big, thick, shiny tail. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing that your horsemanship contributed to a lustrous, full tail that will help your equine baby bat away those pesky flies. Plus, that tail will get you noticed by everyone in and out of the show ring. One of the best products on the market that can help you get there is Absorbine’s ShowSheen line. Click here to read Max’s recommendation on getting that next level tail. 

Question 2: Tack Cleaning Routine 

Some of us love it and find it therapeutic to clean our tack to a beautiful luster and suppleness. Some of us think it’s a chore before a show and wish we could “I Dream of Jeannie” it, and poof it’s clean! Regardless of your personality type, taking care of your tack is important for everyone. Max Corcoran, our resident professional, let us know what her tack cleaning routine is and more here.

Question 3: Hoof Care

Horsemanship starts with a solid foundation in care and training. Proper care of a horse’s hooves is especially critical since horses are built from the ground up. The hooves are irreplaceable, and farriers can only work so much magic. Therefore, horses’ feet have to be a priority, no matter the horse, no matter the season. Read how Max eliminates hoof care headaches with ease!