The 3-Application Show Season System

You trained all off-season. The goal now is simple: bring the horse you know in the barn into the show ring. That’s what Functional Taping is for—supporting function when it matters most.

This protocol is built around the three “goldmine” applications taught in the Basics Course:

• Fetlock Support (use on all four legs for the trailer + show week)

• Muscle Relaxation (Back) (overnight reset)

• Circulation Application (hind leg taught in course; use on all four for show-week recovery)

Before You Leave: Do a Practice Run

If you’re a brand-new taper, do at least 2–3 practice tapings before go-time (not the night before your main class).

• You’ll be faster and calmer

• You’ll avoid “first-time nerves”

• Everyone makes mistakes the first couple of times; might as well get those out of the way when it doesn’t count

Pre-Trailer Protocol (Fatigue Prevention)

Step 1: Tape all four legs with the Fetlock Support application

Do this before you load.

Why this matters: supporting the bottom of the chain reduces stress above it. Even though you’re not taping the carpus or hock directly, supporting the lower limb can reduce strain up the line.

What it supports:

• DDFT

• SDFT

• Suspensory

• Check ligament

• Fetlock

• Helps reduce stress through the carpus and hock by supporting the chain below

Step 2: Arrive + keep the legs taped

When you get to the show grounds, leave the fetlocks taped.

Night 1 (and Every Show Night): The Overnight Reset

In the stall at night, do this combo:

1. Fetlock Support stays on (or reapply if needed)

2. Add the Back Muscle Relaxation application and leave it on overnight

3. Add the Circulation application to all four legs (yes—every night)

What the Back application does (overnight)

The goal is to help your horse let go of topline tension so they can actually rest.

• Helps move metabolic by-products out of the topline muscles

• Supports fascia hydration (even a little matters)

• Helps relax the back muscles

• Helps your horse rest more fully and sleep better

Key setup tip: apply the back tape with your horse’s head lowered (eating is perfect).

What Fetlock Support does overnight

This is about reducing the “cost of standing” so recovery happens faster.

• Reduces energy demand to stand

• Supports recovery and circulation

• Helps move heat away

• Helps your horse sleep better and bounce back faster

What the Circulation application does overnight

You know that feeling when you wish you could keep ice boots on all night… or run the laser again… or use every swelling gadget in the tack room until the heat is gone?

And then there’s the medication side: a lot of associations have rules around what you can and can’t use—sometimes that includes things like bute, and sometimes it even includes certain “herbal” options.

This is why the circulation application is such a show-week cheat code. It helps your horse move fluid and heat out of the lower leg while they’re standing in the stall.

• Helps move heat away

• Helps reduce deep inflammation and “stocking up”

• Works like a little pump: every tiny movement (even breathing and shifting weight) helps move fluid from hoof to lymph basin

The simple version: your horse doesn’t have to “do” anything. They just have to exist in the stall.

Show-Day Use (Check Your Rules)

If your association allows taping, double-check the rules.

Under boots: Fetlock Support can change the way they feel

Used under protection boots (where allowed), it can:

• Reduce fatigue

• Reduce injury risk potential

• Make steps feel more “springy”

• Improve rebound out of the jump

• Support the limb on changing footing

Tape Prep Rules (So It Actually Stays On)

Functional Taping is designed to stick to hair—it needs your horse’s hair.

Do NOT do these right before taping

• Don’t bathe with shine sprays or slick coat products (tape won’t hold)

Clipping rule

• If you clip your horse, do it at least a week before you leave so the tape has hair to adhere to.

What You Need on Hand (Beyond the Combo)

The Basics Course + Kit Combo gets you started with the education and initial supplies. For show-to-show use, you’ll replace tape.

Suggested “show season” tape stash

• 6-pack of 4-way 2" tape

• 2 rolls of 2" 2-way tape

• 4 rolls of 3" 2-way tape

Prep supplies

• Plenty of rubbing alcohol

• Microfiber towels

• A sharp pair of scissors

One Optional Add-On (If You Want the Biggest Extra Impact)

Yeah, I know—as the owner of the company I’m “supposed” to upsell you. Not my style.

You don’t need more stuff. Showing is expensive. I’m trying to save you money and make your season better.

If you add one extra application to this protocol, make it a fascia application. It’s the one thing that can take a horse that’s getting sore and tight by day 2 and make them look like they never had a hard weekend.

What fascia work changes (in real life)

This is the part people miss: a lot of show soreness isn’t “one muscle.” It’s the whole system getting cranky.

A fascia application can:

• Reduce fascia pain (and muscle pain)

• Rehydrate fascia (yes, it matters)

• Help the body let go of that “stuck” feeling

What you’ll see the next morning:

• Less tightness through the topline and hind end

• More swing through the back

• A horse that looks like they actually slept

• That “wow… he’s himself again” feeling

When to add it (your trigger list)

Add the fascia application when you notice things like:

• Day 2 soreness that doesn’t match one obvious injury

• Hind end feels tight, short, or “stuck”

• They feel fine warming up, then fade faster than they should

• They’re just not rebounding the same off the ground

Option A: Back Massage application (fascia-based) — $35 or less right now (35% off)

This is my favorite “show week” add-on because it’s built for big muscle groups.

Use it instead of the Back Muscle Relaxation application when you want more impact.

Why it’s so good: if your horse is sore behind after day 2, put this over the hind end and be prepared to be annoyed you didn’t do it sooner.

It’s like giving them a pain killer, a massage therapist, a rehab therapist, and a full night of sleep… all at once. Super dope.

Option B: Straight Fascia Line application — $35 or less right now (35% off)

This one is different. It’s designed for fascia lines, not just a big muscle group.

Use this when you’re seeing a whole-line pattern (example: front right + hind left) and you need to address the line, not just the spot.

Quick Safety + Common-Sense Notes

• Always follow the course steps for placement and tension

• If something looks wrong, remove and reapply

• Check association rules before using tape in competition

Your Show Week in One Sentence

Tape before you load to prevent trailer fatigue, then use the overnight reset (fetlocks + back + circulation) to get a fresher, looser, more athletic horse every morning.