Ben county show prep update and a 'how would you...'

[Queenbee]

Ok, well I bit the bullet and my entry for the county show is in and done! I'm cracking on with bens training, hacks, lots of hills and walking. I've now introduced ten minutes walk on the long and low setting in a Pessoa a few times a week which I'm chuffed to say he has taken to well.

Currently we are on a daily grooming schedule to remove scurf, but I hope to give him a good old bath this weekend too.

The show is on the sixth of June so plenty of time to turn the ugly duckling into a swan, but I'm now starting to think about the 'in hand' bit, we started our practicing of this element today and suffice it to say we have a loooong way to go to get mr dope on a rope a bit more push button and responsive.

I'm happy with diet (he's on fibre, linseed and vitamin e) and his training to build him up topline wise. I know what I'm going to wear and what tack he is going to have. In hand training will get there, I'm sure.

My one real query that I'd like some help with is at this level of showing how do you get the horse to stand? By this I mean what position?

Completely square?
Back legs slightly set back?
Slightly 'off' so all legs can be assessed at a glance?

I've read so many conflicting ideas on this and since we are starting the in hand work I want to start teaching him the correct way now from the get go.

So peeps who show at county level... What do you suggest?

 

[Emz99]

I usually stand with legs slightly off. Pref with the two legs nearest the judge slightly wider than the two on the other side.
Depends on your horse, if they're more likely to fiddle best to just try and get hinds apart then remain still.

 

[ridefast]

I used to show at county level and we always stood them square. We won a lot too so must have been right!