Whether you consider yourself part of the horsey fraternity, the eventing elite (or Elite Eventing!), a dressage diva or a hunting die hard, we all know someone that falls into the category of a typical horsey girl.  One that has more breeches that skirts, one who’s make up bag comes out for balls and trot ups and one who more often than not has ménage surface under their nails rather than a French Polish.

Never fear your modern day Fairy Godmother is here…in the form of The Bit team at least.

Before you can even contemplate slipping on a pair of Jimmy Choo’s or Manolo Blahnik’s (we’ll get to choosing one of those later) you need to take care of those feet.  Us riders spend £1000s on making sure our four legged friends are shod well, but how many of you take care of your own feet?

How to do a home pedicure…

1. Soak feet in warm water, either in the bath, a water bucket, even use a clean feed bucket if you must.  This should be done whilst drinking a cup of tea.
2. Clip and file toenails.  Think farriery…just maybe not using a rasp!  Try a nail file instead.
3. Push back toe cuticles…using your finger nail will be perfectly sufficient
4. Use a loofah or pumice stone to remove hard skin.  Repeat this step for the length of a Grand Prix dressage test.
5. Separate toes – raid the vet cupboard and use tissue, gauze, cotton wool.
6. Apply a base coat – usually one song on the yard radio or a Novice dressage test
7. Apply polish and leave to dry.  Probably best get your groom to make a brew at this point, sit with your feet up and plan the 2015 season.
8. Apply a clear top coat and leave your shoes and socks off for around an hour to dry…perfect time to roll all of those newly washed end of season bandages!

And while you are at it you can repeat the above steps on your hands for a matching manicure!

How to put a heel on…

Grassroots heel wearers should opt for a sturdier stiletto and choose a pair with straps around the ankle and over the bridge to hold it in place.  Courts are for the intermediate wearer and mules most definitely require 3*** skill and above.

When slipping into your new pumps, point the toes (think extended trot) and slide them into position.  Toes should feel crunched and squeezed in – no pain no gain!  Heels should be put on whilst seated, then, lean back, clench the haunches, thighs, and stomach muscles and slowly stand.  At this point we are picturing a field of eventers resembling Bambi on ice!

For those that are not used to the elevated position, stand with feet hip width apart and sway from side to side to find the new centre of gravity.  Calves and knees should feel engaged.  Now circle the room and develop the wiggle.

Tricky surfaces you may encounter…

Carpet – carpet and heels is a bit like long grass and studs.  You need to stab the heel in hard and deep to get some good grip

Pavements – do no visualise the cracks as grids or trot/canter poles.  A neat little jump in this case will end up in a fall and most likely an early retirement.
Marble – Bambi on ice again springs to mine.  Our advice take the arm of the closest eligible Batchelor or your plus one.

Dance floors – just strut your funky stuff, and if in doubt think Valegro!
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And when you are hopping lame the day after a bit of ice clay and vet wrap or green ice gel!