Any tips for preparing a weanling for its first show?

[winchester]

I am planning to take my weanling to a foal show in November. I have never done anythign like this before and i am still new to breeding.

He was weaned at the beginning of the month and has just started leading – he stands walks and trots with the bum rope.

Anyone got any tips for me?

He is very slow at his walking is there a good way of teaching him to trot (does with a bum rope just looking to take it the next step further) – do people do it by voice command or some other way?

How do you get your weanlings looking well for a show – do you rug before hand to settle the baby fluff?

Ways of making him stand still? Tip bits or something?

Any other ways to prepare? Do you just aim to go as experience day out or actually really go for it competitively?

 

[JanetGeorge]

I HATE showing so tend to avoid it - but did take two yearling fillies to the Breed SHow this year. Preparation was pretty haphazard. Had the farrier trim them two weeks before, and pulled manes ready for plaiting. Gave one or two leading lessons in their show bridles. Day before chucked them on the lorry for the first time - to make sure they'd load on the morning (they did!) Bathed and plaited the day before! That was about it!

(And they behaved beautifully and came 1st and 2nd in a class of 12)

For getting a good trot - try silly voices! Stay at the shoulder, run on the spot and ask them to 'TROT on' in a slightly silly, high-pitched, fast voice! Just revs them up a bit - works for me!

Aim on going for experience - winning is a nice bonus!

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I am planning to take my weanling to a foal show in November. I have never done anythign like this before and i am still new to breeding.



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[splash30]

If your going to the NSP area 14 show on the 8th Nov, we will see you there, it will be my yealings first show so could be fun

 

[winchester]

That would have been better as its closer - we are going to the one on 22nd November - going to be fun!!

 

[holiday]

What class are you doing were going too - BNFOS?

 

[winchester]

The Coloured class! what about you? Have you been before? Recommend it? Enjoy it?

 

[holiday]

Brill, although I may not be quite there for the coloured!!!! We go every year, I will be doing the part bred welsh, sports pony, riding pony, sports horse and riding horse class with three foals!!!!!

Its always absolutely freezing so take your thermals!!!! And a flask if you havent got coffee making facils! Although the canteen is good and you get a good view over the rings. Its a good show with lots going on, and if your baby usually wears rugs make sure he is warm too!!!! Mind you first thing in the morning wont be so bad its when you are there all day which we will be, we usually stay and watch the championship as well as its only a couple of classes after ours finish!!!!!

My only complaint is you cant see into the rings from the collecting ring which is a bit of a pain especially if you want to watch something.

We will have a little chestnut filly, a dun"ish" filly (ponies) and a bay horse foal come and find us although will probably have our hands full lol!!!!!!

Just uploaded avator with "Audrey" - she will be going and quite easy to spot lol!!!!!

 

[winchester]

Thank you for your reply! Lovely picture - looks really lovely!!

Brilliant will pack the flask and the thermals - and hoping to introduce him to rugs at the weekend so hopefully he will be nice and warm too!!

How do you get them to trot on do you use voice commands - we tend to go from a nice walk in to 3 full bucks and then trot on nicely!!

Will look out for you i think there is about 8 helpers going for just one foal

This is him - doesnt look like this now just a big hairy monster!!

 

[holiday]

He looks gorgeous!!!!!! I was thinking about bringing my coloured but its just a bit early for us to get there in real terms, plus weve had him gelded now and not quite recovered!!!

LOL you wont be on your own with him most of the other foals will probably be silly too!!!! I use voice commands or click them on, if he bucks stop him immediately, tell him no then ask again, he will soon get the hang of it!!! TBH I dont do much with mine at home, just a couple of trots in hand to and from the field. They are forgiven for being a bit silly at the foal shows just try and position yourself so nobody would get kicked if he bucked.

Weve got four people going so we have an extra helper although we went with four foals and three of us last year and it was a bit manic!!!!!

Hope to see you and good luck!!!! Have pm'd you