Training for showmanship... update post #7

Callie's Mom · 10-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Since I obviously can't ride Isis for another 2 years (being that she is only 6.5 months old) I am thinking of teaching her how to do some other things to busy her young mind... she is very smart and loves to interact with me. So, one thing I was considering was teaching her how to do showmanship maneuvers since this would be valuable for her to learn how to behave on the lead more than just being lead around anyway...
So for those of you who have trained horses in showmanship, what is an appropriate age to begin training for this? Is her mind too young? Will I just frustrate her at this age?
Some of the articles that I have read say it takes a good 3-6 months to really get a horse accustomed to it and I thought I had seen yearlings showing in this class before but maybe I am thinking of halter...

Anyway, let me know your thoughts!
thanks.

PinkHorse · 10-17-2009, 05:28 AM

A good friend used to show her yearling in showmanship and did quite well. You just have to keep the sessions short (could only be a couple of minutes sometimes) but work on it frequently and have a plan.

You can also start working on in-hand trail obstacles.

Callie's Mom · 10-17-2009, 09:53 AM

thanks for the reply... and in-hand trail is a good idea too, thanks.

leoparddraft · 10-17-2009, 10:10 AM

Practise is what makes a good showmanship horse, and it is never too early to start! Showmanship is just good ground manners. You want them to respond softly and quickly. As PinkHorse already said, keep the sessions to the point. I always make sure to end on a good note, too. For some horses it takes a long time, but they can and will get it eventually!

GotaDunQH · 10-17-2009, 01:25 PM

I started my QH mare in showmanship as a long yearling. She was shown in halter as a weaner, so she knew the basics of trotting out and standing. I was showing her in Showmanship as a long 2 YO. Like the others have said...keep the sessions short. Everyday though...when I would turn her out and bring her in, I would make a habit of asking her to whoa and set up. As she got better with hand and body cues for trot, halt, back and set up... I advanced to pivots because those are the hardest. As a 2 YO, she could do a pattern without a lead.

Jennifer

Callie's Mom · 10-17-2009, 04:04 PM

great! thank you all... I want to build respect and manners so I thought this would be good for that and also fun to engage her mind a bit.

Callie's Mom · 10-20-2009, 09:02 PM

Well, I did my first lesson with Miss Isis today... I kept it short and sweet - literally only about 2 or 3 minutes working on walking with me when I gave a cluck and slight tug on the lead, then stopping beside me when I gave a slight tug back on the lead.
It took a slight bit more tug for start and stop the first 2x but the rest of the lesson (which was probably a total of maybe 6 starts and stops and one turn in the middle) she kept right up with me and didn't even fidget when we stopped!! YAY!! In fact, each time we stopped she even pricked her ears straight ahead it was really cute.
I didn't worry about her feet being lined up when we stopped or anything yet I just want to get her moving with me first... is that and ok goal?

PinkHorse · 10-21-2009, 04:06 PM

Sounds perfect! With the young 'uns, I always pick a really small goal like stop when I stop or walk nicely or move your should a little when I walk into your space. It keeps the sessions short, they retain the bits & pieces and eventually the whole thing comes together and stays fun.

Keep it up and let us know how it's going!

10-16-2009, 10:58 AM	#1
Callie's Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Loomis, ca Posts: 2,177 Images: 422	Training for showmanship... update post #7 Since I obviously can't ride Isis for another 2 years (being that she is only 6.5 months old) I am thinking of teaching her how to do some other things to busy her young mind... she is very smart and loves to interact with me. So, one thing I was considering was teaching her how to do showmanship maneuvers since this would be valuable for her to learn how to behave on the lead more than just being lead around anyway... So for those of you who have trained horses in showmanship, what is an appropriate age to begin training for this? Is her mind too young? Will I just frustrate her at this age? Some of the articles that I have read say it takes a good 3-6 months to really get a horse accustomed to it and I thought I had seen yearlings showing in this class before but maybe I am thinking of halter... Anyway, let me know your thoughts! thanks. __________________ Kristin, Blessed owner of: Izzy, Isis, and Chance! Last edited by Callie's Mom; 10-20-2009 at 09:02 PM.

10-17-2009, 09:53 AM	#3
Callie's Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Loomis, ca Posts: 2,177 Images: 422	thanks for the reply... and in-hand trail is a good idea too, thanks. __________________ Kristin, Blessed owner of: Izzy, Isis, and Chance!

10-17-2009, 01:25 PM	#5
GotaDunQH Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Leominster MA Posts: 2,441 Images: 3	I started my QH mare in showmanship as a long yearling. She was shown in halter as a weaner, so she knew the basics of trotting out and standing. I was showing her in Showmanship as a long 2 YO. Like the others have said...keep the sessions short. Everyday though...when I would turn her out and bring her in, I would make a habit of asking her to whoa and set up. As she got better with hand and body cues for trot, halt, back and set up... I advanced to pivots because those are the hardest. As a 2 YO, she could do a pattern without a lead. Jennifer __________________ "My kingdom for a horse."

10-17-2009, 04:04 PM	#6
Callie's Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Loomis, ca Posts: 2,177 Images: 422	great! thank you all... I want to build respect and manners so I thought this would be good for that and also fun to engage her mind a bit. __________________ Kristin, Blessed owner of: Izzy, Isis, and Chance!

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10-17-2009, 05:28 AM	#2
PinkHorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: My Desk Posts: 1,021 Images: 50	A good friend used to show her yearling in showmanship and did quite well. You just have to keep the sessions short (could only be a couple of minutes sometimes) but work on it frequently and have a plan. You can also start working on in-hand trail obstacles.

10-17-2009, 10:10 AM	#4
leoparddraft Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ... Posts: 114	Practise is what makes a good showmanship horse, and it is never too early to start! Showmanship is just good ground manners. You want them to respond softly and quickly. As PinkHorse already said, keep the sessions to the point. I always make sure to end on a good note, too. For some horses it takes a long time, but they can and will get it eventually!

10-20-2009, 09:02 PM	#7
Callie's Mom Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Loomis, ca Posts: 2,177 Images: 422	Well, I did my first lesson with Miss Isis today... I kept it short and sweet - literally only about 2 or 3 minutes working on walking with me when I gave a cluck and slight tug on the lead, then stopping beside me when I gave a slight tug back on the lead. It took a slight bit more tug for start and stop the first 2x but the rest of the lesson (which was probably a total of maybe 6 starts and stops and one turn in the middle) she kept right up with me and didn't even fidget when we stopped!! YAY!! In fact, each time we stopped she even pricked her ears straight ahead it was really cute. I didn't worry about her feet being lined up when we stopped or anything yet I just want to get her moving with me first... is that and ok goal? __________________ Kristin, Blessed owner of: Izzy, Isis, and Chance!

10-21-2009, 04:06 PM	#8
PinkHorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: My Desk Posts: 1,021 Images: 50	Sounds perfect! With the young 'uns, I always pick a really small goal like stop when I stop or walk nicely or move your should a little when I walk into your space. It keeps the sessions short, they retain the bits & pieces and eventually the whole thing comes together and stays fun. Keep it up and let us know how it's going!

Training for showmanship... *update post #7*

Training for showmanship... update post #7