SHOW TIME

Phil Bowen is the Managing Director of ALVAHORSE Ltd. He formed the company in 1999 and together with Simon Burgess, Commercial Director, has built it into one of the UK's leading suppliers of Equine Aromatherapy products. Phil knows a thing or two about preparing a horse for exhibiting. StableTalk caught up with Phil in Llanelli preparing his many times Supreme Champion Welsh Cob Stallion Rhystyd Dazzler 38023 (Rusty) for his first show of the season.

ST: How do you start preparing Rusty?
PB: The first step starts the day before the show. I use luke-warm water on his hoofs scrubbing with a stiff brush and scraping off all the mess. I work my way up his legs and then onto his mane and forelock and lastly his back.

When all the loose dirt has been removed, I use a good quality shampoo to wash him. When I have scrubbed him all over I rinse off the shampoo.

I then give him his final wash with ALVATEATREE Medicated Shampoo. This shampoo gently but thoroughly washes the coat and protects the skin, conditioning as it cleans. I repeat the process again if the rinsing water dripping from under his belly is not clear. When he's clean, I use a rubber scraper to remove the excess water.

ST: A clean coat, what next?
PB: Its now important to seal the coat. This helps prevent dust and dirt from penetrating the coat and reduces stable stains. I use ALVASPARKLE. I start at the top of his neck (side without his mane showing) and move down his withers and along his back. I use a sponge and make sure that I saturate his coat. After sponging I brush him and, when his coat is dry, I polish with a clean dry sponge until his coat sparkles.

If I am planning to ride Rusty, I avoid the saddle area since ALVASPARKLE gives a high gloss finish and the saddle may slip.

ST: His coat looks great. What do you do with his mane, tail and feathers?
PB: I spray his mane with ALVADAZZLE, combing small areas at a time, and being careful not to break or damage healthy hair. When I spray his tail I put it in a clean bucket and I pour any excess ALVADAZZLE into a spare bottle. I use that again as part of my grooming kit. As you can see, he's looking good! Now back into his stable on a fresh bed of straw.

ST: The whole thing has taken you a couple of hours and he looks great. Tomorrow is show day. What do you do on show day to give Rusty his best possible chance?
PB: Its an early start tomorrow. I will give Rusty a quick wipe over and then load him on to the lorry. When I get to the show, I will check Rusty and offer him water, collect my number and then back to the lorry to lightly brush him. I find this relaxes him and gives him time to unwind after the journey.

One hour before his class, I will sponge Rusty with ALVAGLEAM. This combination of the very best moisturising and other natural oils gives the ultimate finish. I love it, Rusty loves it, but those dreaded flies and midges, which can unsettle a horse in the show arena, hate it! When his coat is dry, I will use a clean, dry, velvet cloth to polish him. The harder I polish, the better the gleam. I will also comb through his mane and tail with ALVADAZZLE.

I will put his bridle on and the last thing I do before lowering the ramp will be to apply some ALVASHADOW around his eyes and muzzle.

Rusty is a handsome horse, but on show day his beauty takes my breath away.

ST: You clearly love your horse. Why did you start ALVAHORSE?
PB: Most people compete for pleasure, I compete to win. The products I was using back in 1995 were good but I wanted better and I wanted to avoid aggressive chemicals and insecticides. I worked with our pharmacist to formulate the Show & Grooming range. I now know the ALVAHORSE show and grooming products help meet the expectations of the most demanding horse owners and top show judges. Beautiful, Healthy Horses. Naturally!

ST: Many thanks for your time. Good luck with the show, and with ALVAHORSE.

www.alvahorse.com

This article first appeared in Local Rider Magazine