If you're planning to ride in a holiday parade this season, chances are you’ll be joining a group of fellow horse owners. Participating in a parade is a great way to promote your local riding club, your instructor, or even your favorite tack shop or feed store. One of the most enjoyable parts of parade season is finding creative ways to dress up your horse and celebrate the spirit of the holidays together. But before you focus solely on your outfit, there are a few important tips to keep in mind—whether it's your first parade or your tenth.
Tip #1: Parade Atmosphere Prep
Riding in a parade shouldn’t be something you decide to do the day before. Take your time to prepare not only your outfit, but your horse for the event. To help your horse adjust, try desensitizing exercises beforehand:
- Play recordings of crowd noise or music from a speaker while you ride,
- Introduce your horse to decorations like tinsel or banners in a safe at-home setting.
If you're riding with a group, pair the less-experienced horses with calm, seasoned parade partners. Horses often take cues from one another, and having a confident companion can make all the difference in keeping everyone relaxed and focused.
HorseandRider.com has a great article to give tips on how to desensitize your horse for a parade: Parade-Proof Your Horse
Tip #2: Parade Dress Rehearsal
Whether you're looking to outfit you and your horse in full regalia or you're planning on just adding some streamers to your saddle and bridle, ride in it at home first. Your best choice would be to choose a simple costume that doesn't have pieces that can become entangled or fly into the face of your horse (or buddy riding next to you) and spook him.
Other things to consider:
- Avoid using brand-new equipment for the first time at the parade.
- Perform a thorough tack cleaning and safety check before parade day.
- Use a horn bag to carry candy to toss out (again, make sure your horse is comfortable with that motion) and to carry a small water bottle for you.
Tip #3: Think Safety First
While you've done all the preparation for your horse by getting him used to walking on a street, playing music and having balloons fly by, you can never prepare for the unexpected. Because of that, keep safety in mind for both of you.
- Pack sunscreen for you (and maybe your horse) and fly spray.
- Consider wearing a helmet if you don't do so often.
- Wearing a padded vest or one that many jumpers wear can provide cushion to your body should you fall during the parade.
- If your horse is shod, know that metal shoes on asphalt can be slippery. You might consider investing in boots that your horse can wear while being ridden on surfaces such as asphalt and concrete.
Tip #4: Pack the Trailer for Anything
Any trip with a horse can be an adventure, even if it's just a 10-minute trailer ride into town for a parade. Pack the essentials:
- A water bucket and bring along some water from home, in case there isn't a spigot near the parking area
- A full hay bag
- Grooming essentials
- A first aid kit (horse and human)
- Within your trailer, you should already have items such as shoelaces or leather strings on hand in case you need to perform an emergency fix to your tack.
Tip #5: End on a Good Note
Depending on the parade route, you may finish your ride in a different location than where it started or where you parked. Remember that the end of the parade festivities can be chaotic, with bands wrapping up, families finding each other across the street, and balloons flying into the air.
- Dismount, loosen your cinch and walk your horse back to where you parked. It’ll be safer for you and more calming for your horse.
- Keep your eyes and ears open and be aware of your surroundings.
- Provide your horse with fresh water while you untack and groom.
- Pick up any trash and manure to dispose at home.
Grab a friend and make your plans early to have fun hitting local parades!
