[Bailey-Boots]

Hello I was wondering if you have any tips ? ?

I showed my Yearling colt last year at halter, but he has a thing about chewing his chain. I have tried many things to get him to stop (covered it in anti-chew liquids) pulling it etc. I just wanted to know, as I am hoping that someone out there has had the same problem .. if there are any tips that you can give me, that would be great. He is now 2 and not started the showing year. He does seem less chewy this year (when working him in the halter)but when we get to the shows its like some comfort blanket to him LOL!!



here is a pic .. this is just us in the warmup arena .. and no comments on his legs wink or mine LOL!!!!

PM me if you need to

thanks

Debbie & Bailey

[Blistering Winds]

Well, I really don't know. Mine does the same thing. He has to nibble on things to keep himself occupied.

From a Judge standpoint, that doesn't matter. As long as you are doing what you need to do...stand in the right position, dress appropriate, lead the horse correctly, etc... and the horse is doing what he needs to do....stand and look pretty, walk and trot when asked....the chewing on the shank is of no consequence. To me, if the horse is standing still, and I can get a good look at him, that is all that matters.

Those that are trying to run me over and bite and kick and be totally nasty are the ones that will be removed from the show ring.

(Had that happen at a 4-H show last week...OMG this horse was just NUTS!!!!)

(BTW, I'm learning to judge, so I've got all of what I'm supposed to judge on fresh in my head and don't have my "likes" and "dislikes" taking over my views)

[OwnerofWillow]

So he does it more when you are at shows than at home? Am I reading that right? If so go to a friends arena ( not his home one ) and do a practice show with a couple friends "showing" thier horses. When he starts to do it snap it (not enough to hurt his teeth but enough to make it known that is a no no) then when it is out of his mouth tell him what a good boy he is. This worked for me a few years ago.
I would also say it has to do with your nerves as well as his.. So try to relax (as much as you can in halter) its amazing how much of your feelings go up the lead rope (sorry family saying) They can pick up on the energy you are setting off so if you are nervous you will make him nervous.

[Horse&Pony luver]

To some horses it is exactly what you called it a "comfort blanket". Some horses when they get nervous need something to do to expel that pent up nervous energy so they do the thing easiest for them at the moment. In this case chewing on his chain. I would suggest taking him lots of places and getting him used to travelling to new places and getting relaxed with it. Also he will eventually get used to showing so that it will become more boring than exciting where you will notice the chain chewing starting to slack off. Through time and patience and a look of work he will stop chewing on it.

<small>[ April 01, 2004, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: Horse&Pony luver ]</small>

[Bailey-Boots]

oh thanks guys for your reply.

Good idea about going to another arena, I guess he doesn't do it at home as we only have an outdoor one. In the indoor he has to concentrate a bit more on me. I have an arena close by that is indoor so I will hire that and see how he gets on.

Maybe all the stress of the frantic mother getting him ready makes him feel that he need to chew on it.. I wouldn't blame him for it .... rather manic being first class in and having to look cool, calm & collected.

[CANDYGIRL]

I have the same problem with Pic, but I see from the photo you are showing on a single chain?

When I show in hand, I use an In-hand bridle. I have had him rear in the ring because he has got his Newmarket chain in his mouth and paniced.

So what I do now is, Pass it under the back of his noseband, a good friend who shows a Stallion gave me the tip - never been put down for it, but was for the panic attack

The only thing I can think of in a halter class is to get a shorter chain, I think 18" is the shortest, but if you get a leather lead with a chain attached you can get shorter(not very good on Western Showing) or like I do with Pic let him nibble on the end of my showing cane(when the judge isn't looking, and trickle sand, or bait with a handful of grass, take his mind off the chain.

I am sure he will grown out of it - tell him NO when he does it.

Just noticed his age, 2 year old colt, if showing English, yearling colts should be bitted anyway, so at 2 and still a colt? Maybe different for Western, sorry if so

Hope this helps

<small>[ April 02, 2004, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: CANDYGIRL ]</small>

[belle4]

I was going to say shorten the chain also. He may then just decide to chew on the leather though.

[spyro1]

Hmm, have to agree with candygirl and belle on shortening the chain, it does look rather long/sloppy. Take away the temptation.
I also agree with willow, you need to relax as well. Take slow long cleansing breaths and breathe Get him out to as many open shows as you can for practice, exposure does wonders for the young ones and their nervousness, as well as yours I personally cant stand a horse that chews on anything, but I know a couple of people who acutally put the chain in the horses mouth for him to chew on, a *pacifier* so to speak!!

[Blistering Winds]

On the chain in the mouth, NOT good practice. That and not allowed anyways. Even over the lips before or after certain ages. So watch out on that. There is a rule change in AQHA about lip chains.

Definitly as he is taken more places, he'll come around. His age had a lot to do with the chewing. Get after him at home and at friend's arenas, when you aren't showing. So when show time comes, all you have to do is glare at him and he'll quit. As he matures, he'll probably quit. But even if he thinks about starting to nibble, get at him for it.

[spyro1]

what are aqha's rules on lip chains? Just curious, in ApHC, they are allowed, not saying that Bailey needs to lip chain, far from it, I am just curious to what their rules are.