[arabianlover15]

i dont know how to teach arabs halter its weired i see them stand in many different ways one: one back leg stretched - all others are squared with neck stretched out and two: all legs squared with neck stretched out im confused on what i should teach and HOW to teach them i am practicing the neck and standing still part but how to PROPERLY stand is difficult for me since i dont know how to teach them . please give information with pics of what is the right and what is the wrong way i learn quickly off pics and by reading!

[wildstang]

I would like to now more about this too,
One thing I know is that This pose is wrong

[arabianlover15]

hehe lol kinda obvious he looks like all his weight is to the chest lol its ok nice looking horse though.

[Huntseat]

Look at this - http://www.freewebs.com/arabhalterhorse/index.htm

[arabianlover15]

another site please i cant view free webs on this computer

[Rumonek]

Look up The Ammy Army on facebook and myspace
They have step by steps instructions for teaching your horse for halter.

[arabianlover15]

thanks rumonek!

[Rumonek]

No problem

[Bodi]

Have a wonderful old Arabian Horse World article by Don Delongpre I believe it was teaching halter.. or maybe it was Mike Neil. Either way. Some dude. Some desert location with added foliage. Some really nice arena. Wish I knew exactly which mag and I'd scan if for you. Paragraphs and photos both to help illustrate and teach the method. The below method is my own and worked for me and my horses. I'm not into the whipping the **** out of them method. Or the shank happy method either. If the horse isn't naturally hot I wouldn't force it.

I have a few recommendations. When I started our weanlings I always started with the hind legs first. Getting them to set the hind left back of the hind right. I progressed to teaching them to step their front legs forwards by first manually doing so. Then going to learning by the touch of the whip on their forearms with the learned "step" command. (Same method used to teach my Morgan to park). Then by the simple fact of if i set the front legs. Asked them to "set" (hinds), then dropped my whip by the shoulder area they would learn to automatically step forwards. Then the fun of teaching them to roll over their shoulders without moving forwards. This is where whoa comes in handy. Treats are awesome too, but I tried to avoid them as much as possible. You don't need a "mouthy" horse in halter classes.

Each horse is different on how well they stretch with the neck and shoulder. I would have someone give a idea from the side where the horse looks best to help emphasize their qualities in that area on how far they should stretch. I think horses who are overstretched with their heads horizontal look like ****. Just a personal opinion. Haven't exactly asked judges if they think that looks gravy.

All I have to say is Percherons are a lot easier, and I don't miss the hype of Arabian showing. Still think they are beautiful animals, but definately don't miss it.

[Sandra-A1]

My first bit of advice is to read the AHA rule book!
You can find it here: http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/05-AR.pdf
Check out the Halter Class section...!

As for the actual training of your horse....

First work on WHOA!
He has to learn that "whoa" means stop and do not continue to walk forward.
I would walk along side of him and work on stopping after you say "whoa."
Once he catches on.... you need to say whoa, he stops.... but you continue walking out to the end of your lead. If he moves give the lead a quick jerk and say whoa again. Keep working on this until you can walk away from him and to either side and he will stay where he is.

As for the "neck stretch"....quit thinking of it as a "neck stretch"...you do NOT want him to stretch his neck out.....what you DO want is for him to USE his neck in a way that BEST shows off it's shape!
Remember...Your not entering your horse a neck stretching contest!
You are entering your horse a Halter/Conformation Class.

To show an Arabian's neck off correctly.....The neck has to first go up and back toward the withers...then up and become tight so the muscles and shape have even more definition...once tight, you can ask the horse to reach forward with their head....not down...NEVER bring the "neck" down! The head can come down a little but NEVER the neck!
I use the handle end of the whip as the cue for the horse to show it's neck. I teach the horse to touch the end of the handle then slowly move the end to different positions and futher and futher away.
There are several great Arabian Halter training videos out there and I suggestion you get a hold of them! They are a BIG help when it comes to showing you what to do and when!

Also you should never back an Arabian into position because it causes the croup, hip and tail to drop...always move them forward into the stance.
You have to learn timing and develop an "eye" for when your horse is correct.
Some horses have a neck that looks best when it is tight and in use...some look best when left holding it natural. Just because others have their horse's reaching out with their noses does not mean you have to.
I have stood up a horse and got his body tight and left the neck alone...he looked a lot better that way....as long as the horse was alert and watching me I left him alone. Everyone else had horse's that had longer necks than the horse I was showing. This horse happened to looked really great if I let it keep it's neck up and alone.
We won the class.
I had a professional trainer come to me as we were leaving the ring and tell me that he knew he had the class won until he turned and saw my horse standing there. He had counted on me asking my horse to use it's neck and that would have really messed up the horse's appearance.
He complemented me on my win AND my decision to leave my horse's neck alone!
So KNOW how you horse needs to stand to look it's very best and do not be afraid to sometimes be a little different!


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If you can get a hold of the following videos ( I have them )
I think they will really help you out.
Some of the showing & grooming tips might be slightly different because of the new rule changes but they are still super educational & helpful!:

Gordon & Kim Potts:
Halter Is For Everyone

Bob Hart Jr :
Preparing the Arabian Halter Horse Physically and Mentally.
Conditioning and Grooming

Gene Reinhardt:
Advanced Halter

Ron Palelek:
Prepare Your Halter Horse For Show
Blue Ribbon Grooming

************
Here is a place where you can find most of the Arabian training videos I mentioned above...plus MORE! :

http://www.seehorsevideo.com/Training_Tapes.htm

I would also suggest looking for a AHA Mentor nearby.
The AHA Mentoring Program is an excellent program and one that I think you would find most helpful especially if you become seriously interested in entering the AHA Shows.
To check to see if there is a AHA Mentor nearby :
http://www.arabianhorses.org/educati...ion_mentor.asp