AT the Dublin Horse Show, immaculate turnout is part of the tradition. From gleaming coats to perfect plaits, competitors go to great lengths to make a polished impression. But what’s really required – and what’s fair on the horse?

Most top producers I talk to agree that good grooming starts weeks, not hours, before the event. Good grooming isn’t about last-minute polish, it’s about skin care, condition, nutrition and calm handling every day.