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  Discussion on Tack for showing in hand
Author Message
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 4:11 am:

Dear all

I am going to show my yearling in hand and have been training her to lead on a loose rein, trot by my side etc.

Two experienced people have now told me I am completely mad to try to show her in a halter although she is very quiet.

I didn't want to put a bit into her mouth but one recently showed me a gadget I don't know the name of - does anyone else?

This is basically a bridle with a mouthing bit (straight bar and keys) and then a gadget which joins both bit rings together AND has a strap to attach to the bridle noseband. Thus you have the control of a bit but you cannot accidentally pull on the young mouth because the pull transfers to the noseband. Your lead rope goes on the gadget which is leather and thus doesn't look bad from the appearance point of view.

Does anyone know what they're called or where you can get them? Does anyone have experience of showing yearlings in hand? I am also dithering between using a typical long white webbing showing lead and using a 2 metre leather showing lead with two clips and a chain. I find the leather lead chain noise seems to annoy the yearling and lead to headshaking but the long white leads can be a pain if you get into trouble and get them into a mess, although the extra length is safer/gives you more options if something goes wrong.

Thanks for any advice as always!

Imogen
Member:
36541

Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 8:30 am:

IMO, show in the halter with the matching showing lead. Maybe you could take the baby to a nearby strange place where there are other horses around, like a friend's farm, before the show so you could try out your tack options when your yearling is under some stress. If you are the usual handler of this baby, then your relaxed attitude at the show will help a lot. Good Luck! Stacy
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 9:28 am:

What you show in, at least over here, depends on your breed and class you are showing in. With Arabians, we usually show in a very thin, delicate halter with a matching lead. Often these are shiny vinyl or patient leather with an open face. However, they have a thin chain or cord that runs under the chin which will immediately tighten up or loosen, and it is this you use to control the horse,if needed. Even the stallions are shown in these. Once in a while with a stallion a thin, straight bit is used instead of or with the chin cord.

Halter and stock type horses are shown in a heavier halter, usually leather with silver decoration on it and a matching lead. Often a lead chain is attached to the halter and with stallions it is used like a stud chain.

In sport horse classes the horses are shown in a plain bridle with a snaffle bit. So...it depends.

The suggestion to take your horse to a show or somewhere else where there are other horses and a lot of commotion, is a good one. I usually take our youngsters to a show without entering them in classes. I just put them in a stall and let them watch all the goings-on, and walk them around the grounds to let them get used to things.

I think your yearling will do fine.
Member:
Maggienm

Posted on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 10:41 am:

Imogen, By coincidence I just attended a clinic on showing in various classes. As Sara mentioned the equipment you use is dictated by what class you are in.
Is it a showmanship or an 'In Hand' class. I suggest you get a rule book for the show you are attending. It will tell you what is expected for equipment.
Double ditto for taking your yearling somewhere else and practicing.
Member:
Imogen

Posted on Sunday, May 7, 2006 - 8:41 am:

It's just a sport horse yearling filly showing in hand class - the rules don't dictate whether you have to use a bit, I already checked... You can put anything from a Draught to a thoroughbred in these classes.

Thanks for the advice, I have taken the filly to our local stables twice to meet other horses/strange surroundings/dogs and she was also shown as a foal last year.

I put a rubber foal bit in her mouth yesterday and she accepted it quite well but I think I would prefer to stick with the halter. I figure the worst she might do is rear out of excitement but she just comes down again and walks on normally so I think I'll go for the long white webbing lead to accommodate that possibility...

She got washed today, no problems, and I cut her ear hair yesterday, no problems except me, as one ear is fine the but the other looks like a punk barber with a tendency to mohicans got to it...

I presume for yearlings you leave their tails completely natural since they have not yet reached full length, rather than cutting across?

All the best

Imogen
Member:
Qh4me

Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 11:50 am:

Hi Imogen,

Good luck with the showing. I like showing yearlings, as it gets them out and used to things at an early age. I show quarter horses, so we show in a more corse leather halter with lots of "bling" and matching lead with a chain.

As for the tail. I know in our breed, we leave the tail natural as yearlings.
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