Questions about showing in weanling class, 1st time showing

[drgnm5]

This will be my first show experience. It is an open show (not aqha) so I figured with the low entry fee ($2 per class) and the fact it isn't too close to home I could risk making a fool of myself I am planing on having an experienced 12 year old ride Zane in trail, western showmanship, and reigning. I am going to be attempting to show howdy in weanling class. My questions are these:
is there a minimum age for weanlings to compete?

He is only partially shed out and looking rather patchy, will I have to clip his body to make him slick or can I show him the way he is?

Will I have to make him trot on a lead or will walking, standing, and backing be enough?

will I need a special show halter in that class or can I use his regular halter?

I appreciate any help you can offer, the show is on July 31st so I have some time to prepare and work on stuff if I need to. I just have no experience so would like to kind of know how it works before I get there.


Thanks,

Heather

[ThorArb]

I love showing Halter. Which Im assuming that is what you will be doing with Howdy. And not Showmanship.

First of all Halter is basically all about the horse. Whereas showmanship is more about the handler.

He needs to be slicked up. Id recommend a FULL body clip 2-3 weeks prior to the show. Is he still "fuzzy"? Cant have that either.

The judge will require you to do trotting on a lead line, halts, and walking.

Its hard for me to show you through this on the forum. You usually cannot use just a regular halter, most shows require a show halter (leather with silver).

I usually dont start showing my weanlings until they are about 6 -8 months. Thats because I take the time to have them fitted and conditioned.

You'll need to check with the management of the show to find out their rules and regulations. Most "open" shows around here still follow AQHA and APHA guidelines. Proper attire is a must and the horses of course must follow as well.

You can PM me with any other questions you have, Id be glad to help ya.

Brittany

[divinemisselle]

I have ZERO experience showing weanlings, I just wanted to wish you good luck, and remind you to have fun!! Remember, it's supposed to be fun first!

Sending Divine luck your way!

[ToveroMom]

Have shown weanys a few times
If they are weaned most shows require a coggins[better call-before you haul]
My biggest advice-keep them away from other babies/horse as much as you can
Tote your own water too. They are just at that age where they can pick up disease so easily They are establishing their own immune systems and I prefer to err on the side of caution.

I personally do not bodyclip after they are well into a shed-it can leave the coat icky for the season
Grooming blocks and lots of brushing a bit of flax or rice bran or oil in his ration will help his hair coat
There is a great all purpose book called Grooming to Win-full of info
I do have a show halter for the babies but if it is open a plain leather halter would be fine.
Do take pics!
Our first weany show is mid October and I am sure excited
Good luck to you guys!

[drgnm5]

The reason I asked about age requirements is that he is only a couple months old (born may 1st). He is partially shed out which is how we figured out he is gray, I am including a picture in this post to show his shedding progress so you have a better idea whether I should clip or not. I did get a hold of the people running the show and they said just walk and stand is all no trotting but I didn't get a chance to ask them about age. I appreciate the words of advice and support, I am getting kind of nervous and wondering if I really have what it takes and if he is ready for this. I will be taking gray along and just take him away long enough to show since Howdy is so young.


Heather

[ToveroMom]

Every host has their own rules-call the show secretary and ask them
I have seen teeny babies be shown-go in with their Moms at side but I have never shown a "pre-weanling"

[ThorArb]

ToveroMom has great advice. Most shows wont require you to pull a coggins on a foal that young, but the mom MUST have a current negative coggins and brought with him. However, I would call the show directors and ask them what their requirements are. Every show is different.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!! Be sure to take lots of pictures!

Brittany

[EquineAlberta]

As long as he is ok being away from mom for the duration of the class, and is trained well enough to not cause trouble in the class then take him and have fun!

I wouldn't worry about changing his feed or clipping him unless the ribbons matter. Use a halter that fits and suits him well, but if you do decide to use a new halter, make sure you use it at home so he is used to it!

I think there is a science to preparing a true halter horse, but unless you are seriously persuing the halter division, I wouldn't worry about it....and don't sweat it if the other weanlings are fat, slick and well muscled, not all horses are meant to be that way at that age, and it isn't always the best for them health wise.

Karen2

[drgnm5]

I am curious as to your meaning when you say you believe there is a "science" to preparing a true halter horse. I haven't really found a lot of information on preparing halter horses and would love to hear in more detail how it is done properly. I am including new pictures of howdy taken yesterday as his shedding is progressing rather quickly. Missy is also in one of them and as far as coat goes she is a bit nicer looking right now but is still a bit jumpy and needs to be close to mom and as you can see in the picture can be a bit aggressive towards other horses ( born june 3rd 05). The reason I chose howdy is because he is more filled out, looks older, and has a calm disposition about him, he leads very nicely and stands quietly so I think as far as behavior goes he is my best bet at this point. Missy likes to be moving and won't stand and she likes to try and kick people if she can. Please share your info on preparing halter horses I would very much appreciate it.


Heather

[EquineAlberta]

There is a girl at the barn I teach out of that is a amateur halter competitor who is very successful with her 2 year old paint stallion.

Her horse gets a lot of high protein/high fat food; hay, hay cubes, calf manna, sweet feed, oil, suppliments.

He always has a blanket on; 2 in the winter plus a hood, and is in at night.

She used "Healthy Horse Hair Care" on his coat, and spends an hour a day 5 times a week brushing him.

He gets lunged or ridden 5 times a week, mostly at jog with a level and tucked head set as it builds the best muscles.

She tells me when he is truely "halter fit", that he is at least 400 pounds overweight and her vet shakes his head at the stress that is putting on his 2 year old body, so she is keeping him a little thinner now that he is being working under saddle more...so he is now only about 200 pounds overweight and one of the lighter weight halter horses, but has serious muscle.

She feels the fact he is a stallion helps her in the muscle department, and that many geldings get steroids or some serious suppliments to help with the muscling.

Basically she wants him to be a performance horse, but is doing the halter for now as he is near the top of a paint incentive (they show as weanlings, yearlings and 2 year olds, and then combine the points to come up with the champion). She isn't that keen on the halter though as she feels it is not the healthiest for her boy, but that it is important of she ever wants to market him as a breeding stallion.

She tells me preparing a horse for halter is a combination of 4 things:

1) Feeding for weight (roundness) and a shiny coat.
2) Lots of muscle on the topline.
3) Training; he has to know to stand properly, ears forward, and walk/trot/back straight and even.
4) Keeping track of the trends, both regarding tack, handler outfits, as well as body type. Ex: if a thin throatlatch is in then better break out the neck sweat, or if a big butt is in, then more hill work.

Karen2

[ToveroMom]

What paint incentive is that? That sounds interesting

[EquineAlberta]

I don't know the details, but I think it is an Alberta thing. I thought it sounded really cool too. Top prize is the lease of a really nice horse trailer for a year, and I think my friend is in 2nd, with the current 1rst place horse not showing any more this year (injured), so I am hoping she wins it.

Karen2

[ToveroMom]

Drat-wish her luck!
One thing I do have to add is that most straight halter horses are not ridden at all while still pursuing halter titles
It interferes with their topline-for the halter class. Riders utilize different muscles


I know this has nothing to do with your baby-have you called to see if they accept horses that young yet?

[drgnm5]

They said as long as they will stand and I can control them on leads without mom in the ring age isn't an issue. They said they won't be too harsh on them for grooming and coat appearance as they understand the whole shedding out process. Beyond that I am waiting for a call back from the lady in charge of that particular class so I can get more specific information.


Heather

[EquineAlberta]

Sounds like a great show to start out at then; realistic on what to expect from babies and willing to answer your questions!



Karen2