[DefinitelyADreamer]

Hi, I'm a newbie!! woot!
I just bought a yearling filly woot! (1yr 7mon) and I don't plan to start her under saddle until late next year....But until then I would like to show her at Halter and Showmanship at APHA and local club shows. The problem being I have never shown in either of those classes!!! I've watched the classes and that's about it. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated!!! help! I would like to know how to teach her to set up, and when and which "quarter" I should be in when the judge inspects "Dreamer". Thanks!!

[Blistering Winds]

First, she needs to be able to walk and trot in hand. without yanking on her.

You also are not allowed to "touch" the horse during a show. Everything is done via voice or lead rope command.

As for standing up, her legs should be "square". Front next to front, back next to back.

When I work with mine, I'll tell him "STRAIGHTEN UP". If his feet aren't in place completely, I'll nudge my foot against his till he's Square.

Some shows want the head up and out, but I think that's more an arab show stance than anything.

He needs to stand quietly, without looking around at the other horses.

Open shows are excellent practice arenas. PLus the cost isn't high to enter in them either. I think I pay 5 a class.

[DefinitelyADreamer]

Hi,
Thanks for the fast reply!
We have got the walk and trot in hand down.
How do you go about teaching to set up??
Do you ask them to set up by backing them or by bringing them forward?? Which back leg (Right or Left) should be set first?? How should I ask her to set her front legs (by actually moving them or by tapping the leg I want moved??)??

[Blistering Winds]

I don't think it matters which one goes first, cause you usually set up then the judge walks through.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

to get in the set dont back-up ur horse, u can backup if she takes a step forward when shes not supose too. i had to practice this w/ Fiona and i would walk and ten turn around right after i said "whoa" and she would stop w/ her one back leg back behind the other. and when she moved that foot i would back her up 1 step to get it back and tell her "no" and "stand" she never really held it very ling, but now that i dont practice it she does it perfectly while in the cross ties and she does it forever! its funny how horses do that to us.

running_ Tiny running_

[tbluver]

YAH I FINALLY GET TO TEACH SOMEBODY ABOUT SHOWMANSHIP!!!!!

Ok now i know nothing about halter...

Showmanship in my opinion takes more talent on your part...the judging is based off you the handler NOT your horse or your horse's conformation. BUT they do like that your horse is well muscled in porportion to his body, and is nicely groomed, as it will show the judge how much you care about your horse...

Usually to get your horse to "square up" you want to go backwards...now remember this takes a long time to perfect, and requires patience, NEVER punish, always reward, with a small treat or pat on the neck.

i don't know if you know how to do showmanship, but here i'll tell you...

all the things they require you to do...at least at a county fair, or small show.

-walk trot, at hand
-stop when you stop
-back(usually 4 steps)
-pivot
-trot away at hand...
-quarters

Here is the normal layout,

You stand sqare, waiting for the judge to motion you come foward, NOW REMEMBER THE JUDGE WILL START JUDGING YOU AS SOON AS YOU STEP FOOT IN THE SHOW RING, SO ONCE IN THE RING DO NOT FIGIT WITH YOUR HORSE.

you walk towards the judge in a straight line, to make sure you are moving straight look above the judges head, as you were looking at a "top hat" on their head, NEVER LOOK DOWN AT YOUR FEET, OR AT YOUR HORSE

Then you wil have to start trotting at a cone...heading towards the judge, you stop at the judge, and your horse must stop exactly when you stop.

then you make sure your horse is square, making sure not to take more than a couple of seconds.

you face the side of your horse's head that the judge is not on, and point your toes to the oppisite side(ex: if you are facing your horse on the left side, slightly turn so your toes are facing the right hoof!)

your horse is divided into 4 "squares" with an imaginary line. there is a big square around your horse, and a line slicing across your horses withers to the other side...you do not want to be in the same square as the judge.

ex: you are on the right side of your horse, facing him...(you only stay in the two squares by your horses head)and the judge is in the right square next to you...when the judge goes into your square, you swing around to the left side of your horses head...you should only take a max of three steps to get to the other side...what i do is cross my outside leg, over the inside leg, and the slide you feet, facing towards the opp. hoof.

Rule of thumb...if the judge crooses the front of the horse, you cross to the other side, kinda like a criss cross...

after you finish doing this for a few moments, you are asked to back your horse(usually 4 steps) straight! then pivot your horse around...
what this is is you face your horses neck, and walk towards him, if he does not start turning poke his shoulder with your thumb, of that doesn't work use a rock, but not sharp!!! the front leg closer to you, should cross over the other front leg...if you are pivoting right, (say you are facing the horse) you want its right back foot to stay in it's position, and turn, without leaving the ground, the other back foot is allowed to move,...this takes bunches of practice!!!!!!!!!!

You pivot until your horses butt is facing the judge(only half way around) and trot away, this also requires patience, as you are not alowed to walk first, when practicing just click your tongue at him...at the shows i go to, you are allowed to make noises at them...but check at your how first...

Hope this Helps

If you have ANY more questions, please e-mail me at sk8er9162@yahoo.com

Happy Holidays
Nikki

[mytblady]

heeeeeeeey look i looooove halter and show man ship

lets start with showmanship okay there's many different patterns and i show miniature horses when i do showmanship and halter so i'm not going to tell you about the patterns we use for the minis and shetland because im sure almost positive there different for the big horse show's and im big with the minis (im not tring to brag but im number onefor area one in showmanship and 8th in all stars) but i do know no matter what your shoeing there are some key factors to teach your horse and then the rest is on you but you need to teach you horse to pivet and always rember to turn twards your horse!!!!! also you should teach your horse to stand without touching it feet because in showmanship your not allowed to touch your horse so you have to teach him/her to react to movement in your leadrope/chain also you have to make your horse stand still for long periods of time nothing impresses the judge more then a still horse soooooooo work on that!!!!!!!

ok halter for halter you can touch your horses feet but its not as complicated as showmanship all you really have to do is set your horse and trott away and with the minis i dont know if you do this with the big horses because i just got my new horse and havent showed her yet but anyway with the minis we strech out the minis necks to make them look longer also i dunno if this will help you and your horse or not but you can bring treats in the ring NOT SHOWMANSHIP
running_

[belle4]

Keep the right hind still and set the left hind first. The right hind will eventually be used for the pivot. Want to reinforce keeping it planted now. Get so you can swing the left hind by pulling forward and pushing back with the lead. Ignore all of the other feet and only concentrate on that left hind. When the horse moves the left hind, stop and praise him. Even if it is not "square". In the beginning, you are teaching the horse to move the foot you choose. Back and forth for the hind, up and down on the lead for the front. Let's say you want to move the left front foot. The horse has to have it's weight on the right front foot or it won't work. Push the head away from you and pull up on the lead. Have you hand close to the halter. This will transfer his weight to the right and free up the left so the horse can move it. Think of this. If you are leaning on your right foot and someone pushes you, you will step forward with your left foot. You don't want to throw the horse off balance, just help him by freeing up the foot you want him to move. You have to be able to isolate all 4 feet and move them independently on command. Once this is accomplished, you can move his feet anywhere and "settin up" will be no problem.

[DefinitelyADreamer]

Great!!! Thanks so much for the help!!!! bow