Keeping  Horses Happy and Healthy: Showgroom Natalie Payne Shares Her Secrets

An Interview with Natalie Payne, Top-Level Showgroom and Horsewoman

When it comes to taking care of elite equine athletes, few people have the depth of experience and instinctual feel that Natalie Payne brings to the table. As a dedicated showgroom working on the international 5* circuit, Natalie is responsible for ensuring her horses are not only in top condition physically, but also mentally happy and stress-free—no easy task when you’re constantly on the move from one major show to the next.

We caught up with Natalie to talk about her approach to managing competition horses, keeping them healthy during long trips, and what it takes to maintain consistency in a sport that demands constant adaptation.

Every Horse Is an Individual

“You manage every horse as an individual, you adjust to their needs,” Natalie explains. “Then it depends on your show plan, have you been at home for a few weeks or are you going from one 5* to another 5*?”

That flexibility is at the core of her system. Whether she’s at home or on the road, Natalie makes sure the horses stick to a consistent flatwork routine. “We don’t over-jump the horses,” she says. “It’s all basics. Gymnastics and stamina. Some horses will do interval training twice a week.”

The Importance of Recovery

As performance demands peak at major shows, Natalie emphasizes that recovery is key. “The week of the show it’s just about keeping them comfortable and loose,” she says. “To manage intensity and recovery is easy because the horse will tell you.”

Movement is central to her recovery protocol. “For me the important part of recovery is movement—paddock, walker, hacking… it’s the best way to avoid stiffness and fatigue.”

Feeding: Keep It Steady

A frequent challenge on the road is maintaining feeding routines. “The feeding routine shouldn’t change,” she says firmly. “It’s difficult at shows sometimes to always feed at the same time as you would at home, but you try and work around your usual routine and the show schedule.”

As for the feed itself, Natalie avoids sudden changes. “Food and supplements for us don’t change. You might add some extra depending on the conditions of the show, but the horse’s digestive system adapts to process the food they get every day. You can’t just change from one feed to another straight away.”

Long Trips: Planning and Patience

Traveling long distances is part of the lifestyle at the top of the sport. Natalie ensures her horses are rested and ready before they even get on the truck. “Prior to traveling, I make sure the horses are well rested—especially for long trips.”

During transit, hydration and breaks are a must. “It’s important that they stay hydrated and you make the necessary stops so they can rest,” she explains. “Long trips we do layover stops, so we stable the horses so they can move and rest. I always walk them during the stops—again, movement is most important for the physical part. This activates the circulation and gets all the body back in balance.”

She’s also very aware of their mental state on the road. “Mentally I like to let them eat grass wherever I can, let them roll if they want, be curious at new places and just make sure they are eating and drinking normally. Some horses get stressed with travel and don’t drink—then you need to find a way to encourage them to do so.”

Teamwork and Attention to Detail

Behind every top horse is a top team, and Natalie is quick to highlight the value of collaboration. “You always work closely with the team, you have a clear show plan and you organise everything around that to make it as best for the horse.”

She emphasizes the importance of the grooms who are closest to the horses every day. “Grooms that ride even more—you know the horses inside out. So it’s easy to spot any changes and consult with the team regularly if needed to change supplements, treatments, training, or diets.”

Hands-On Horse Care

Natalie keeps grooming simple but thorough. “My grooming is very basic, there is nothing that I would point out. But I like to know what my horse likes, what they are happy with.”

Routine is everything. “I check the legs and hooves in the morning—no heat, swelling… mucking out you see if the horse is eating okay, if the droppings are normal, if his attitude is as always. Brushing them I can check if there is any soreness in the body. Then hand walking or riding, you see how they are moving, how they feel.”

In the end, she says, it all comes down to knowing the horse. “When you know the horses, you spot the differences quick and adjust to what you need to do.”

From precise travel routines to a deep understanding of each horse’s personality, Natalie Payne offers a clear picture of what it takes to keep elite horses feeling their best on the world stage. It’s a daily balancing act of routine, observation, care, and flexibility—something Natalie delivers with calm expertise and quiet dedication.

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