Welcome to Ciara Mullens Turnout Series
Follow Ciara’s tips and tricks throughout the series right here, episode 1 and 2 available below.
As the showing season begins, attention to detail becomes everything and in this special series in association with The Irish Field, Ciara Mullen (@itsagroomslife) shares her expert horse grooming and turnout tips to help you stand out in the ring. Sponsored by Carr & Day & Martin, this series is your go-to guide for building that polished, professional finish from the ground up. In Episode 1: Spring Into Show Prep, we focus on where true turnout begins long before competition day laying the foundation for shine, condition, and that all important first impression.
Episode 1: SPRING INTO SHOW PREP
The foundation of a winning turnout starts long before you step into the ring. This is where shine is built, condition is protected, and the real difference is made.
Wash away the Winter Uglies
Gallop Extra Strength Shampoo – an extra thick shampoo with double the level of active ingredients for superior cleaning. Perfect for first wash of the year
Top Tip – Use the day before clipping alongside Canter Coat Shine to help your clippers glide through the hair easier, therefore reducing blade wear and also clipping time.
Gallop Medicated Shampoo – a high specification formula. Calms irritated, sore, damaged and sensitive skin. The pH neutral formula contains natural oils that helps soften and lift scabs and dandruff.
Top Tip: Can be used regularly, all over the body – Provides exceptional conditioning, noticeably softer hair and a shiny coat
Gallop Colour Enhancing Shampoo – A uniquely formulated shampoo with colour enhancers and optical brighteners to intensify the natural coat colour
Top Tip – For a stunning glow, use the night before a show – available in Bay, Black, Grey and Palomino/Chestnut
Follow with the shine routine that elevates everything:
✨ Canter Coat Shine – A multi-use coat conditioner helps repel grass stains, mud and dust.
Top tip – Apply to chest and shoulders and hips to help stop rugs and blankets from rubbing.
✨ Canter Mane & Tail – The world favourite, long-lasting conditioner. Leaves an immaculate, oil free shine that’s luxuriously soft and reduces hair breakages.
Top Tip: Apply after washing to a clean mane & tail the night before a show to make mane & tail preparation the morning of the show quick, easy and fabulous
✨ Dreamcoat – The ultimate high gloss finishing touch. The unique non-slip formula highlights muscle definition and can be used on the saddle patch.
Did you know?
This is Ciara’s Favourite product. Dreamcoat’s fine mist spray leaves an invigorating lemongrass scent – in the words of Ciara herself – ‘Smells Like Summer’
Because great turnout isn’t rushed — it’s layered, intentional, and starts now.
Episode 2: GROOMING & FEATHER CARE 🩷
Great turnout starts with the basics — and grooming is where it all begins.
In Episode 2 of our Show Like A Pro series with Carr & Day & Martin and The Irish Field, we focus on the power of consistent grooming and careful feather management — the foundation of every polished finish.
Because it’s not just about how your horse looks — it’s about how they feel, move, and perform.
The 3 Foundations of Grooming
✔️ Care
Grooming is your daily opportunity to check in.
As you work through the coat and feathers, you’re naturally monitoring for:
• Cuts, swelling or heat
• Skin irritation or sensitivity
• Changes in coat condition
• Early signs of discomfort
This hands-on routine allows you to catch small issues before they become bigger problems — making grooming an essential part of your horse’s overall wellbeing.
✔️ Clean
A clean coat is the starting point for everything.
Removing dirt, grease and buildup:
• Supports healthy skin
• Encourages natural oil production
• Helps the coat breathe
• Builds that natural, healthy shine
Regular grooming also stimulates circulation, helping to distribute those oils throughout the coat — something that simply can’t be replicated with products alone.
✔️ Contact
Grooming is where connection is built.
This daily routine mirrors natural herd behaviour, where horses groom each other to build trust and social bonds. Taking the time to groom properly helps to:
• Strengthen your relationship
• Build trust and relaxation
• Create a calmer, more responsive horse
It’s one of the simplest — and most powerful — parts of your partnership.
Feather Care: Attention to Detail
Feathers require consistent maintenance, especially as show season approaches.
Keeping them clean, tidy and well-managed:
• Enhances overall presentation
• Prevents dirt and moisture buildup
• Reduces the risk of skin issues
• Makes final show prep quicker and easier
Regular trimming and grooming ensures a neat, polished finish that makes all the difference in the ring.
✨ Top Tip: A Smarter Finish
When it comes to hot clothing and adding that final finish, heavy oils can attract dust and weigh the coat down.
Instead, use Dreamcoat spray for a lighter, cleaner shine.
Lightly mist onto a cloth and apply while hot clothing to enhance the coat’s natural glow — without leaving residue — keeping your horse looking fresh, polished and show-ready.
Because the Smallest Details Matter
Great turnout isn’t rushed.
It’s built through daily care, consistent grooming, and attention to detail — where condition is developed, connection is strengthened, and results speak for themselves.
Episode 3: Tail Trimming Tips ✂️
When it comes to standout turnout, it’s the finishing details that make the difference.
In Episode 3 of our Show Like A Pro series with Carr & Day & Martin and The Irish Field, we focus on tail trimming and final refinement — where preparation and precision come together.
Refine the Shape
Trimming isn’t about taking more off — it’s about creating balance.
Focus on:
A straight, even line
A length that complements the horse
A natural, tidy finish
Work gradually and assess regularly — small adjustments make the biggest impact.
✨ Top Tip: Control Where You Condition
When preparing the tail, where you apply product matters.
Use Canter Mane & Tail Conditioner through the lower lengths of the tail only to:
Smooth and detangle
Help achieve a clean, even cut
Improve control when trimming
✨ Top Tip: Aim to pull 80% of the dock!
Keep the top of the tail (the dock) product-free until any pulling or shaping is complete. This maintains grip and control, ensuring a more precise, professional finish.
Built on Experience
With over 260 years of expertise, Carr & Day & Martin understands that great turnout comes down to preparation, precision, and attention to detail.
Episode 4: Hoof Care Without Compromise: The Secret to Healthy, Show-Ready Hooves 🐴
When it comes to preparing your horse for competition, hoof care is just as important as grooming, trimming, and conditioning. Strong, healthy hooves don’t just improve your horse’s overall wellbeing—they also make a strong show ring impression.
In Episode 4 of the Show Like A Pro series with Carr & Day & Martin and The Irish Field, we focus on hoof care without compromise—where long-term hoof health meets flawless show-ring presentation.
Why Daily Hoof Care Matters
Consistent hoof care is essential for preventing dry, cracked, and brittle hooves. Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Balm is designed as an everyday solution that deeply nourishes while enhancing the hoof’s appearance.
Key Benefits of Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Balm
- Deep nourishment for healthy hooves
- Prevents dry and brittle hooves
- Enhances natural shine and finish
- Excellent coverage for show presentation
Choosing the Right Hoof Balm
Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Balm – Clear
Best suited for native breeds such as Connemara’s, the clear formula enhances the natural hoof colour while ensuring a clean, healthy look in the ring.
Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Balm – Black
Perfect for plaited show horses with darker hooves, this version offers rich coverage—ideal for covering striped hooves and achieving a uniform finish.
Application:
For best results, follow these simple steps:
- Ensure hooves are clean and completely dry
- Use a brush or sponge for even application
- Apply the balm to all areas of the hoof, including the wall and coronet band
✨Top Tip:
Apply the black Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Balm the night before a show to allow it to fully absorb. This creates a deep, rich base colour, meaning you’ll only need a quick touch-up before entering the ring.
Daily Use vs Show Day: Why It Matters
- Daily Use: Keeps hooves hydrated, strong, and resistant to damage
- Show Day: Delivers a polished, professional finish that enhances your horse’s overall presentation
By combining consistent care with the right product, you can achieve hooves that are both healthy and show-ring ready.
Episode 5: Show Day Essentials
Packing for show day can feel overwhelming, you want to be ready for anything, but without carrying around items you don’t actually need. Striking that balance is key.
✨ Top Tip: Pack a basket with your essentials for the ring so everything is within easy reach when you need it most.
What to Pack in Your Show Ring-Ready Basket
1. Leather Care
Belvoir Tack Cleaner Mitts are perfect for show days. Designed to be worn like a glove, they make quick tack clean-ups simple and efficient before heading into the ring.
Ciara also recommends always carrying a hole punch, you never know when a last-minute adjustment might be needed.
2. Coat Care
Dreamcoat is another essential, giving a high-gloss finish while enhancing muscle definition. It’s one of Ciara’s favourites, she never goes to a show without it.
Brushes of choice:
- A stiff dandy brush is vital for removing mud or stains, especially on horses with white socks.
- Keep a standard body brush on hand for general grooming.
- A soft body brush is perfect for final touch-ups. Ciara prefers using a soft body brush instead of mitts to remove any last traces of sweat or dust.
For a soft tangle free, shiny mane and tail, Canter Mane & Tail paired with your favourite mane brush is a must.
3. Hoof Care
Always have your hoof products on hand for last-minute touch-ups. Hooves can easily pick up dust on the way to the ring, so this is a must-have.
Carr & Day & Martin Cornucrescine Black Daily Hoof Balm is a staple for quick, effective finishing touches.
4. Health Care
Accidents can happen, so it’s important to be prepared with your first aid kit. Ciara advises always keeping Wound Cream stocked in both your truck and yard for emergencies.
Episode 6: Connemara Showing Prep – Do’s and Don’ts
When it comes to preparing a Connemara pony for the show ring, maintaining their natural look is key. Known for having a thick mane, tail, and hardy coat, Connemara’s should look true to type.
Mane Care: Keep It Natural and Healthy
Connemara’s are famous for their thick, luxurious manes, so preserving fullness is essential.
✔️Do:
- Keep the mane conditioned to restore moisture and prevent breakage.
- Check the mane daily for dryness, knots, or rubbing.
- Use a quality conditioning spray to maintain shine and softness, Ciara recommends Canter Mane & Tail.
❌Don’t:
- Use a mane rake, as it can thin the mane and leave an uneven “mohawk” Use appearance while regrowing.
- Allow the mane to become dry or brittle, which leads to snapping and breakage.
- Overuse a neck rug if possible, as they can rub hair away and trap dirt and grease.
Ciara uses Canter Mane & Tail to keep the mane and tail moisturised, manageable, and glossy. Regular mane care also helps monitor the condition of the mane and identify when washing is needed.
Ciara’s Personal Showing Preferences
Ciara believes that when showing native Connemara’s, a more natural presentation is best.
Her approach:
- No bridle patch as “less is definitely more when it comes to our native Connemara’s.”
- Avoid ear clipping during summer shows to maintain a traditional native appearance.
This understated style helps highlight the pony’s true breed characteristics.
✨Top Tip:
For Ciara, successful show prep is all about prevention rather than cure. Keeping the coat, mane, and tail in good condition regularly is much easier than correcting issues after they appear.
Tail Care: Prevent Rubbing Before It Starts
Tail rubbing can quickly ruin an otherwise perfect show appearance, particularly during warmer months or in coastal areas where insects are common.
Ciara recommends Itch Gard to soothe irritation, cool sensitive skin, and discourage rubbing that can lead to bald patches.
✨Top Tip:
Apply the product directly to the root of the tail where it will be most effective.
Coat Care: Healthy Shine and Fly Protection
A clean, healthy coat is essential in the show ring, but comfort at home matters too, especially during fly season.
Before turnout, Ciara sprays her ponies with Fly Gard to help protect them from flies and irritation while also conditioning the coat. The added coat conditioners help maintain a healthy shine while keeping ponies comfortable and relaxed in the field.
Last-Minute Ring Prep Essentials
Even the cleanest pony can pick up stains moments before entering the ring, especially those with white socks.
The Stain Master is one of Ciara’s go to quick fix products for those last-minute touch ups. Ideal for emergency clean ups, it can be sprayed directly onto stains and then wiped off, perfect for using before entering the show ring.
Preparing a Connemara for showing doesn’t mean over-trimming or excessive grooming. The goal is to enhance the pony’s natural qualities while keeping mane, tail, and coat healthy all season long.
#ShowLikeAPro
