[crazy4horses212]

So I'm thinking of showing Murphy in halter in one of the fairs comming up in a couple of weeks. BUT, the problem is i honestly have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to halter and showmanship. haha its pretty sad but lately i've working on squaring up with murphy. He showed in 2 halter shows with his previous owner, and won grand champion of the show, so i feel i need to live up to my part and be able to show him off to the best of my ablilties. So if anyone can give me any pointers and answer a few questions, that would be awesome!!

It was my understanding that in halter unlike showmanship, you CAN touch the horse, pretty much as much as you want if you want him to square up, back up, etc.. is this true? when I've been practicing squaring up with murphy at home, I try and get him as square as possible without touching him, but if he still isn't square, i pick up his feet and place them exactly where i want them. so far it's been okay, and yesterday after doing this for about 20 mins, he squared up like 5 times in a row automatically, so i decided to end on a good note. Is this the best way to teach him to be square? If you were in a halter show and things just weren't working out would you be able to pick up a front foot or whatever and put it where you want to, or is that really a no-no?

Also, whenever Murphy's stopped, he seems to rest a leg. How do i prevent this in the ring?

Since i usually ride english, how would I show him? Do i just wear english show attire? and does he have a plain leather halter with a chain, or do you show in a bridle? (it's an open halter show 14.2hh +)

I'm going to call the entry person just to double check, but Murphy's an Appendix, registered with AQHA, so would he be able to show in a registered Quarter Horse class?

In a halter class, I'm assuming there's probably a pattern or something for you to do. Is it just your basic walk, trot, and halt and back?


Thank you so much all you halter experts!!

[MyhorseAnnie]

I don't know if this will help any, but I thought it was interesting.
http://postquarterhorses.com/html/halter.htm

[crazy4horses212]

Thanks for the link it's very helpful. anybody else have any suggestions? thanks!

[RainyDe987]

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

BUT, the problem is i honestly have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to halter and showmanship. haha its pretty sad but lately i've working on squaring up with murphy. He showed in 2 halter shows with his previous owner, and won grand champion of the show, so i feel i need to live up to my part and be able to show him off to the best of my ablilties.

i wouldnt worry about living up to his previous owner. just do the best you can with the knowlege you have. i didnt know a thing about halter and i showed against one of my horses previous owners!

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

It was my understanding that in halter unlike showmanship, you CAN touch the horse, pretty much as much as you want if you want him to square up, back up, etc.. is this true?If you were in a halter show and things just weren't working out would you be able to pick up a front foot or whatever and put it where you want to, or is that really a no-no?

i have no idea if that is true or not bt i would say not to pick up his feet. my horse doesnt square at all and we placed higher then someone who does and we had done tons of stuff wrong also! lol

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

Also, whenever Murphy's stopped, he seems to rest a leg. How do i prevent this in the ring?

i dont know much advice for that i would just make him forward a bit bt if you worry about being him getting square dont do that. lol

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

does he have a plain leather halter with a chain, or do you show in a bridle?

i would use a lether halter. def not a bridle

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

In a halter class, I'm assuming there's probably a pattern or something for you to do. Is it just your basic walk, trot, and halt and back?

usually in a halter class there isnt a pattern and the gate person will tell you what to do(or the judge in some cases). in showmanship there is a pattern usually.

Originally Posted by crazy4horses212

Thank you so much all you halter experts!!

im not really an expert because i still dont really know what im doing in halter and such either bt im just sharing a newbies advice to another newbie! lol.

Good Luck!!

[crazy4horses212]

thanks! (even if you aren't an expert i think you still know more about halter than i do lol) oh well i guess i'll just have to get there and see. and learn from hindsight.

[RainyDe987]

i have only been in two halter shows so i pretty much watched everyone else to see what i was supposed to do! lol

[HalterHorse]

I will try and answer some of your questions and hopefully make some sense

-yes you can move the feet and place them where you want however in showmanship you cannot. In halter you want them perfect and showmanship you can get away with not being exact so move his feet in the halter and get him as close as you can and then place them in the halter class. This way you teach him for showmanship.....
-You show in a halter. A silver one is best but if you have a nice leather one clean it up. Some show require a stud chain and some dont. Being a fair they might so put it under his chin and practice BEFORE you go into the pen.
-A judge or 2 will be standing at the gate. You will walk your HORSE straight at the judge and when he moves trot STRAIGHT away the a helper will point you where you need to go but you will see how they line up. Leave yourself enough room so you dont get kicked.
-You need to wear either jeans or western show pants, a western shirt tucked in or a fancy western show shirt, boots, and your hair up. Not in an English knot but just not down. Try and make yourself look western.. LOL If you dont have a hat dont worry about it but it does help.
-Kepp your feet still and pick one side of the horse to stand. Keep hid eye and your eye even so his back looks better. Dont let it drop to low though. Stand a good ways back from him so the judge can see your horse and you clearly.
- The most important thing is to have fun. You and your horse are being judged and if your ******** out so will your horse. Pretend you have the greatest horse in the pen and youve been doing this for a million years. You will be just fine