Gearing up for the 49th Annual Quarter Horse Congress, many are wondering what to bring. I took the time to compile a list of helpful items that any Congress exhibitor is sure to appreciate and for those of us who aren’t headed to the prestigious event the list(s) are great to have for your weekend equine adventures.
Click here for PDF of list to print out.
Congress veteran and amateur exhibitor Megan McMullen summed up the list, “Bring lots of coats and gloves but also bring lighter clothes because the arenas are really warm so you have to layer up. Make sure to bring a cooler for your horses to walk to and from the arenas. Hats are always good too because by the end of the show no one wants to do their hair, you’re too tired. And a longeline because you’ll be longing for hours because of the chilly weather!”
Her mother, Carla McMullen added, “Ear warmers and last year’s Congress jackets are a must!”
Congress Survival Packing List
- Human First Aid Kit
- Horse First Aid Kit for emergencies:
banamine/bute (Know your association’s rules on use)
thermometer
betadine scrub
Twitch/clamp
Stethoscope
hydrogen peroxide
elastiko
vetwrap/coflex
gauze squares
roll cotton
roll gauze
rubbing alcohol
- You should know how to take your horses vitals and what’s “normal” here is a handy pdf to include in your vet box.
Equine Vitals
- Tool Kit
- Knife
- Flashlight
- Zip ties
- Scissors
- Screwdriver
- pliers
- hammer
- magnets
- staple gun
- carbineers and snaps in varying size and styles
- extension cords
- batteries ( varying sizes)
- Fuses
- WD-40
- Super glue/gorilla glue
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape (handy for keeping polos in place, taping buckets to prevent tails from getting caught)
- Seam ripper (helpful in removing bands, show braids)
- Spare tires, a trailer aid & a cross bar
- Extra halter & lead rope
- Water + home water for horse
- Hose (spiral hose + nosel)
- Buckets (variety of sizes)
- Lint roller to clean up the dog hair and horse hair off clothing or shavings off our show pad.
- Cooler filled with water, drinks and snacks. The length of the show combined with multiple trips to the food vendors add up quickly. It’s nice to have snacks handy for when your show nerves hit.
- Laundry bag for your dirty horse laundry like polo wraps, sheets, and slinkies.
- Trash bags to haul soiled items home, serve as a temporary dust cover, or for the traditional use of toting trash.
- Chapstick
- Bobby pins
- Clean Wraps (polos, standing wraps, etc)
- Skin so soft, fly spray, people bug spray
- Showsheen
- Wet wipes/paper towels
- Clean towels/cut up towels
- Folding chairs
- Pillow/blanket for naps between classes and emergency stops when traveling.
- Sunscreen
- Safety pins
- Tack cleaning supplies
- Towels
- Chicago screws
- Leather laces for repairs
- Leather punch/awl
- Spare reins/headstall
- Disinfectant (bleach/water mixtures is an alternative) To spray down common areas, stall walls, cinches or bits shared between horses.
- Wheel barrow/pitchfork + broom
- Bands
- Hoof pick
- Cornstarch/baby powder. Perfect for getting those white legs, extra white!
- Baby oil
- Polo wraps or splint boots
- Clippers
- Needle/thread for quick repairs.
- Ibuprofen/Tylenol
- Emergency C/Airbourne to avoid the Congress Crud.
- Spare clothes/Layering Items
- Rain Jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots
- Hat for blocking sun/after run hair
- Horse clothes for varying weather.
- Fleece cooler for the walks the walks between the stall and the arena, after baths or for cooling down.
- Longe line/whip, cooler weather and the excitement of the show pen and a new temporary home perks up even the seasoned show horse.
- Paperwork: health & coggins, permanent travel card or brand inspection, breed association cards to name a few. Keep these in a central location with easy access.
In Case of Emergencies (ICE) List
- ICE contact card to put on your horse’s stall (here’s one for download)
- Dry erase board + Markers (good to mount in the trailer to make a list of what you forgot, what you need more of, or to jot down a phone number)
- Phone # list: one for the road, one for the house sitters (veterinarian, show office, night watch person, trainer, on site farrier, on call vet)
- Locks and a chain to secure your tack stall or other valuables.
- Horse shoe removal tools (rasp, nippers)
- And last but not least…cash!
Did we forget something? Add your must have items in the comment section below!
