Bitting and showing 2 year old

[Sistersedge]

I've decided that i'm going to enter my 2 year old Colt into a youngstock class in April. He has never worn a bit and i'm wondering what is the best bit to start him off in, i always thought a rubber or flexi bit would be best and do you think he would be ok with snaffle or a straight bar?? the last think i want to do is damage his mouth. Also would it be acceptable to have him clipped? he is sooo Hairy at the moment and started moulting...Does anyone know what the protocol is for what i should wear as well and anything else anyobe can think of would be very useful..its been a very long time since i did any classes. i'm not expecting him to win but its all good experience for him (and me) .... Yikes

 

[Spyda]

I'd recommend one of these:
Snaffle

It's mild, warmer in the mouth than any metal type and most youngster seem to accept these fine at that age. It's easy to slip in without too much fuss and doesn't seem to bother them too much.

Good luck showing

 

[Sistersedge]

Oh yes that looks perfect, thanks Spyda

 

[Spyda]

Here's a useful post re what to wear.... Inhand showing

RE clipping... don't be tempted! No matter how woolly your boy's looking ATM. It'll affect his coming-through summer coat and you could end up dulling it. Within 6 weeks your chap will look like a new horse! They all will.... once Spring's properly here.

If you really want to get him ready for early shows, rugging him, grooming him daily, walking him out in hand regularly and feeding him some micronised linseed meal daily, to encourge molting and coat shine, will all help. But even without all that, he'll soon be out of his winter woollies.

Because he's a 2 year old colt don't forget to get a proper show-rein for him (if you haven't already) - one with a chain at one end. You may find you need the additional control in the exciting environment of a show ground. It's best to go prepared! Oh.... and wear a hard hat when handling him. I took my 2 year old to the Futurity classes last year and was very glad I had my hat on! And I ended up having to borrow a stallion-lead from the people in the next lorry! Blimey did she wake up and prance about. All 16.1 hands of her!!

 

[Sistersedge]

I'll get some of the Linseed and give it a go, he's rugged up well so that is helping. I will invest in the proper show rein too. all top tips. Thank You

 

[Theresa_F]

I showed my traditional as a two year old, I started with the nylon in hand bit, but he was not that keen on it. I changed it for a small ring copper lozenge bit which he far preferred.

I did not do much producing as I personally don't like seeing over fed and worked babies, but I did ground work - short sessions several times a week so he walked, trotted and halted. Would stand nicely and not fidget. He was used to be bathed and wearing a light rug and leg wraps. He was never lunged or wore gadgets or was strapped down - pure cruelty.

I fed him linseed and black sunflower seeds for a good coat but no other feed apart from his simple systems chaffs and ad lib hay and grass. He lives out from May to end October.

As a two year old he was doing a little long reining down the bridleways and being led off Cairo for walks so he had a little muscle but no real topline. I did a little strapping but he does not really react to it - some don't.

He was used to loading and I also did a lot of work getting him used to plastic bags, dogs, loud noises etc so he took his first show when he was 20 months in his stride.

This is two of my turnouts - if you are under 18 you must wear a hard hat, and some shows insist on them with adults. I wore a trilby most of the time, but I have a traditional cob who has always been a well mannered gentle gelding and not a hot blooded colt.

His first show - I did use an extra long rein for this just in case. He has the nylon bit and a lighter bridle, which I changed for the copper snaffle and a heavier one which suited him far more.

Chancer as a rising three year old - excuse my goofy face but I was over the moon. The jacket is too big and unfortunately I look a little scruffy no matter what I wear. This was still early days and my outfit is now far better fitted and smarter as I have learnt a lot over the past four years. He is wearing his second bridle in this.

This is my current turnout and he is now 5 in this photo and now wearing a ridden bridle and a pelham.

I would not be clipping, but I did tidy Chancer's jaw, belly, bloomers and ears as a two year old, but he only requires minimal trimming. Start grooming the coat out and if you bath, put coat conditioner on, and really groom the coat flat and then put a rug on the day before your show, or even better a lycra body suit and he should not look too bad. It is also rather late to clip now for showing.

I do now full clip out and have done since he was a three year old, but this was due to him getting so sweaty. I do my last clip in January.

I found do in hand showing really got him to get used to going out and see competitions so when we started ridden ones when he was four, it was not too much of a shock for him as he was used to being in a ring and going round with other horses.

Have fun and good luck.

 

[Sistersedge]

Theresa-F, He is Gorgeous.. i do have a soft spot for coloured horses though. Thanyou for the advice

 

[siennamum]

Theresa, what a stunning horse & I love this comment.

"I look a little scruffy no matter what I wear. "

I am exactly the same.

OP I usually use a straight rubber snaffle with small rings as it looks fairly smart & is inoffensive. BUT I would get a colt bitted even if you aren't planning on showing him tbh. I would still stick to a straight bar snaffle, though might use a nathe & have one with cheeks for extra control.