A chilly ride, framed on either side by merrymakers waving, clapping their hands, dressed in their festive best as they gaze in wonder at you and your horse. The holiday season is full of fun activities that are aimed at celebrating family, the community and a sense of togetherness. The town's annual holiday parade is always a fun way to showcase your love of the horse to your community, while also giving you a good excuse to deck not only the halls, but also your saddle, bridle and your horse.
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. From a simple touch of garland in the tail and bows in the mane to a full Santa-and-reindeer ensemble, there are endless ways to spread cheer. 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.
Is your horse ready for the parade atmosphere? Even if your horse is steady at home or at shows, a parade route can be an entirely different experience. Flapping flags, blaring sirens, cheering spectators, and unpredictable weather can all test even the calmest horses. To help your horse adjust, try desensitizing exercises beforehand—play recordings of crowd noise or music from a speaker while you ride, and introduce them to decorations like tinsel or banners in a safe at-home setting.
If you're riding with a group, try pairing 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.
Have you ever ridden your horse while dressed in a costume before? If you're going for a costume for you and your horse, make sure you ride in it at home first. Choosing a simple costume that doesn't have pieces that can become entangled is your best choice.
Speaking of costumes, make sure you’re dressed for the part as well! If your horse is dressed like Santa, dress like an elf, or vice versa. Just make sure you don't put all the effort into your horse's appearance that you forget about yours.
Are you making any special equipment purchases specifically for the parade? Don't use brand-new equipment at a parade. If you've purchased a new saddle, headstall or bit, give it some time to break in and to make sure it works well for you and your horse. Any used tack you plan to use on parade day, give it a thorough look-over, tighten any Chicago screws and assess the leather for any concerning wear spots. You don't want to lose a rein or girth in the middle of the parade!
Remember safety first, always: Wear a helmet. Parades are typically on city streets, which can be slippery for your horse, even at a walk. You can still decorate your helmet to make it festive. (You can be an elf or Santa!)
Before the parade, don't forget to pack the essentials:
- Safety pins & bobby pins – In case anything needs to be tacked down (clothing or your hair), these two small essentials can play big roles in your parade outfit planning.
- Shoelaces/leather strings – Carry a few with you on the parade route, just in case something breaks and you need a quick fix.
- Shine spray – Just like at a horse show, you want your horse to look his best in the parade! Perform a thorough grooming job (maybe bathe, if it’s not too cold) and then add some spray like Showsheen or Ultra Gloss to give just a little extra shine to your parade partner. (Tip: For some extra shine, consider glitter hoof polish.)
- Hay net – Provide some hay from home to keep your horse entertained while waiting for the parade to start or in case of traffic backups.
If this is your first parade—or your first time riding in a particular event—ask around to get an idea of what to expect. Parade organizers should have a route map available, so take the time to drive or walk the route beforehand to get a sense of the environment, terrain, and crowd areas. It's also helpful to ask organizers what they expect from participants. For example, are riders encouraged to throw candy to the crowd? If so, practice that motion at home with your horse so he's comfortable with it. Just skip the plastic bag—its noise and movement can be spooky. Instead, use something quiet and secure, like a horn bag from Tough1, to hold your treats.
When the parade is finished, consider walking your horse back to the staging area, not riding him back. The end of a parade can be chaotic, with families gathering, floats being broken down and bands dispersing. It'll be safer for you and calming for your horse to walk alongside him back to the trailer.
After you've untacked your horse, take some time to give him a thorough grooming session, complete with some massage and liniment (and maybe even some time in his ceramic therapy blanket) for a job well done. Even if he didnt seem stressed during the parade, those muscles were tight from walking on the asphalt and being alert throughout the event. Reward him with some special treats and a fresh bucket of water.
Happy Holidays!
