Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Horse shows are full of memorable moments—and occasionally the kind you weren't planning on. A popped button, broken piece of tack, grass stain, missing hairnet, or minor scrape can turn into a much bigger headache when you don't have what you need nearby.

A well-stocked horse show emergency kit helps you handle those little show-day surprises without the panic. You don't need to bring the entire tack room—just a thoughtfully packed collection of essentials that can help keep you, your horse, and your equipment ready for the day.

Canter & Co Tip: Keep your emergency kit packed between shows and restock anything you use as soon as you get home. Future-you will be very grateful. 😂

Wardrobe Emergencies

Horse shows have a special talent for making wardrobe problems happen at the worst possible moment. A popped button, missing hairnet, muddy boot, or stain on a white show shirt is much easier to handle when you've packed a few backups.

Keep in Your Kit:

Safety pins • Small sewing kit • Extra hairnets & hair ties • Spare gloves • Extra boot socks • Stain remover • Lint roller • Fashion tape • Cleaning wipes

Canter & Co Tip:

Keep inexpensive wardrobe backups permanently in your show trunk. They take up almost no room—and somehow they're always the things that disappear when you need them most. 😂

Tack Emergencies

A loose screw, broken keeper, missing Chicago screw, or piece of tack that suddenly decides today is the day to cause problems can put a serious damper on show morning. A few basic repair supplies can help with minor fixes and buy you time when something unexpected happens.

Keep in Your Kit:

Leather punch • Chicago screws • Spare snaps • Zip ties • Electrical tape • Duct tape • Small screwdriver • Multi-tool • Scissors • Spare leather pieces or keepers

Canter & Co Tip

Check and clean your tack before leaving for the show—not when you're getting ready to walk to the ring. Look over stitching, buckles, screws, billets and leathers so you have time to replace anything questionable.

If a damaged piece of tack affects fit or safety, replace it rather than relying on a temporary repair.

Horse Emergencies

Even with careful preparation, minor bumps, scrapes, or other unexpected situations can happen at a horse show. Keeping basic first-aid supplies nearby—and knowing who to call—can make a stressful situation much easier to handle.

Keep in Your Kit:

Digital thermometer • Gauze pads & rolls • Vet wrap • Saline • Clean towels • Disposable gloves • Bandage scissors • Instant cold pack • Basic wound-care supplies • Emergency contact information

Canter & Co Tip

Keep your veterinarian's number, your trainer's number, and the show's emergency information somewhere easy to find. Check your first-aid kit regularly and replace anything that's expired, damaged, or been used.

Important: If your horse is injured, ill, or you're unsure how serious something may be, contact a veterinarian and follow their guidance. An emergency kit is there to help you be prepared—not replace professional veterinary care.

Grooming Disasters

You can have your horse spotless at the trailer and somehow arrive ringside with a grass stain, dusty nose, tangled tail, or mystery smudge that definitely wasn't there five minutes ago. 😂 A small stash of last-minute grooming supplies can save the day.

Keep in Your Kit:

Stain remover • Baby wipes • Small towels • Hoof pick • Mane & tail comb • Soft finishing brush • Extra bands or braiding supplies • Fly spray • Hoof dressing • Small sponge

Canter & Co Tip

Keep a small “ringside touch-up” bag separate from your full grooming tote. Stock it with just the essentials so you can grab it for a quick cleanup without hauling your entire grooming kit to the ring.

Human Survival Kit

Long show days can mean early mornings, changing weather, lots of walking, and realizing at 2 p.m. that you've somehow survived entirely on coffee. 😂 A few personal essentials can make the day much more comfortable.

Keep in Your Kit:

Sunscreen • Bug spray • Bandages • Pain reliever • Feminine products • Snacks • Water & electrolytes • Portable phone charger • Rain poncho • Sunglasses • Hand sanitizer

Canter & Co Tip

Pack your own essentials with the same care you pack for your horse. Keep water, snacks, sunscreen, and a few personal-care items somewhere easy to grab—you'll be much happier when the show day runs longer than planned.

The “You’ll Thank Yourself Later” Extras

Sometimes it’s the random little things that save the day. They may not feel essential when you’re packing—but when you suddenly need one, you’ll be very glad it made it into the trailer.

Sharpie • Scissors • Flashlight • Extra batteries • Extension cord • Zip ties • Duct tape • Trash bags • Paper towels • Wet wipes • Extra phone charger • Cash • Extra water • Spare keys

Then underneath that, we can add:

One Last Canter & Co Tip

Your emergency kit doesn’t need to be huge—it just needs to be organized. Keep everything together in a tote, trunk, or bag, check it before each show, and replace supplies as you use them.

Shop Horse Show EssentialsDownload the Packing Checklist