Arizona in the Saddle October 2015 Volume 2 Issue 12 | Page 33

Bloomquist Pump Service Tips for Designing a HORSE HALLOWEEN COSTUME H alloween is almost here, and October horse shows bring with them all sorts of fun costume classes for both horses and riders. But designing a costume for a horse is a bit different from designing a costume for a human. Looking to design a great horse Halloween costume? Here’s how. Consider Your Horse’s Character Before you begin planning the costume, think about the horse that will be wearing it. Is the horse reactive or nervous when exposed to new objects like umbrellas or tarps? Then you’ll need to get creative in designing a fun costume that your horse can still be comfortable wearing. If you’re working with a bombproof horse who doesn’t blink at anything, then you’ll have a little more flexibility in your costume design and can let your creative juices flow. Think Safety Whenever you create a costume, make an effort to include safety release features in each piece. For instance, if the costume involves draping and securing material across your horse’s back and neck, make sure that if the horse panics, whatever strap you use will break away to help avoid injury. Incorporate a Helmet If you will be riding your horse while wearing the costume, then it’s a good idea to design the rider’s costume so that a helmet is included. You can always cover your helmet with different material to disguise it. Using an old helmet cover provides an easy way to temporarily secure items to your helmet. If you have a helmet with a plastic shell, you can always tape decorations on, too. Think Outside the Box Some of the best costumes arise when riders turn their horses into completely unexpected objects – bulldozers, dinosaurs, and even elephants have all made successful horse costumes in the past. While keeping your costume horse-themed is always fun, don’t be afraid to stray from the traditional ideas for something more unusual – sometimes those costumes are some of the best. Keep the Costume Close Safety can be a problem when costumes get long and loose – a sensitive horse may spook at the fact that a costume shifts around him as he walks. Generally, designing a costume so that it holds fairly tight to the horse’s body and doesn’t shift around too much is a good idea, especially when working with a horse who might be unsettled. Always do a “test ride” with the costume before the show to check for any safety or design problems. Most importantly of all, start working on the costume early so that you have plenty of time to adjust for any problems you might encounter. Good luck at the show! Source: Tips for Designing a Horse Halloween Costume Arizona in the Saddle Horse and Rider Costume Contest! Dress up yourself and your horse this Halloween and send us a picture! Serving the valley since 1947 Mention this ad and receive a 5% discount! Serving All Your Water Needs 1729 W. Lincoln St. Phoenix, AZ 85007 Water Well Service, Repair and Pump Services 602-252-1179 AAAA WESTWOOD Pumping Service Residential & Commercial Septic Tank Pumping and Maintenance Family Owned and Operated Since 1954 FREE BACTERIA TREATMENT SAME DAY SERVICE ADEQ Septic Tank Inspection The winner will be featured in a upcoming issue of Arizona in the Saddle and will also receive Septic Pumping and Cleaning Cesspool Pumping • Electronic Locating Grease Trap Pumping and Cleaning Lift Station Pumping • Sand Trap Pumping Sewer Cleaning establishments throughout Arizona! VALLEY-WIDE SERVICE $100.00 worth of certificates to use a local Please send all entries to [email protected] or mail them to: P.O. Box 90741, Phoenix, AZ 85066 by November 15, 2015. AZintheSaddle.com [phone] NO HIDDEN FEES OR SURCHARGES www.westwoodsepticservice.com October 2015 33