[bnttyra]

Ok, I am just making sure we are getting Belle to hold her head in the correct place for showing. We will be doing open shows and there will be some open classes at some AQHA shows this fall. Belle is 1/2 arab and 1/2 QH.

Does anyone have any pictures to show where her head should be held correctly? She can carry it pretty low like the AQHA horses but I am not certain that is right for her, but I don't think the typical Arabian headset is correct either. I will try to get some pictures of where my goal headset is, since she will do it where I ask but I want to make sure that is right for her. Pictures please!

[IIIBarsV]

Somewhere in between. If you're at AQHA shows with open classes, then they will be looking for AQHA style (because they'll probably use the same judges). However, here's an example of where I have my high-headed gelding carrying himself in western pleasure at local open shows. (He's pure AQHA)


It worked well, we placed consistantly Top 3 out of plenty of good horses. He's pretty much just on a natural position for him, vertically flexed. I will say though, the peanut rollers (exagerration- the lower, flatter-necked horses) will beat us every time, but due to consistency of that head position, plus the fact that he's a gorgeous mover and more than slow enough, squeaked us into the money.

I can get him lower and flatter in english events, with a different bit and consistent light contact (as seen below), but it makes him work a lot harder.

YouTube - Gooser Trot Delta 2007 2

The best plan is to find out where your horse is comfortable, and then make that consistent. Good consistency will place every time.

[bnttyra]

Belle carries her head very similiar to your horse in the english events but with her nose out a touch more. That seems to be where she is comfortable and it looks really good, I just don't want to make her have a headset that is unnatural to her and forced if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the pictures, they really help!

[StockHorseGirl]

If you have a half Arabian you should show him as a half Arabian. It will help if you could tell me what disciplines you will be showing him in.

You will probably not place as well as the Quarter Horses but the judge will probably have more respect for you if you show your horse to its own breed standard. I would look into finding Arabian Community Shows in your area, your horse could probably do better there then at a QH show.

Here are some pictures of Half Arabians showing at Scottsdale. Your horse may or may not be able to carry it's head like this, it just depends on its conformation.

Western Pleasure
http://www.osteenschatzberg.com/dspProofs.asp?width=1008&show=2008%20Scottsdale%20 Arabian%20Horse%20Show\FEB%2015%2C%20FRIDAY\Aftern oon\Equidome\036%20-%20Half-Arabian%20Anglo-Arabian%20Western%20Pleasure%20-%20JTR%2014-17

Hunter Pleasure
http://www.osteenschatzberg.com/dspProofs.asp?width=1008&show=2008%20Scottsdale%20 Arabian%20Horse%20Show\FEB%2015%2C%20FRIDAY\Aftern oon\Equidome\036%20-%20Half-Arabian%20Anglo-Arabian%20Western%20Pleasure%20-%20JTR%2014-17

[bnttyra]

While I understand what you are saying, the problem I have is that I am limited as to where I can show her. She is not a registered half-arabian (due to a signature error on the previous owner who has since passed away). I am showing her at all the SAAHA (Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association) open shows as well as a couple other open shows in my area, but since she is half Quarter Horse, I don't think she will do horrible at the few open classes at the AQHA shows in my area. Plus it gives me some more shows to take her to. I plan on showing her in WP events. I am using her to get myself ready to show my APHA WP filly when she is ready to be shown. Right now it is mainly about getting out there and doing the shows since it has been 20 years since I have done this.

Belle can hold her head like that but she also will flatten out her neck more and bend more towards her poll with her nose not so behind the vertical like the horses at the Scottsdale Show. I guess I will have to get some pictures. She is sorta between the two, quarter horses and arabians. go figure since she is half and half!!

[IIIBarsV]

I wish I had pics of an acquaintance's quarab, "Frosty". He got the best of both breeds and carries himself like my horse, with a flatter, longer arch. Absolutely gorgeous.

[QHGirl]

I would say half way in between would be very pretty. The person who said consistancy will win every time is CORRECT. My friends horse arches her head SOOO much, but she is consistant and will place first every time... I would say, depending on the judge if she is going good at her headset try her out and see how she does... remember just because one judge didn't like her doesn't mean another won't.

[QHGirl]

Oh another silly question... Do you pull her mane or do you leave it grow long... THAT can change my opinion...
IN my opinion it looks better below on the following mane lengths:
Short mane = long straight neck
Long mane = arched neck

[TB Jumpers]

Depends. Dose she look more like a QH or and Arab?? If she looks more like an arab, then she needs an arab headset, if she looks more Qh then a Qh head set is in need.

And one other thing, if she hase a long mane she dose not have to have one of the long bridle paths, my arabs have long mains and a short bridle path and they place really well.IMHO It dose not really matter how long/short her main is (QH girl i know you were stateing your opinion, and i was to).

[bnttyra]

Well, at times she looks like an Arab and other times she looks more QH. Silly girl! I was trying to figure out what to do with her mane as well. She has a nice long mane right now, but I don't know what to do with her mane honestly. I had thought about pulling it since she is gona do SMS too and she does have a rather long thin neck but I like it long too. Any suggestions on that one??