god i need sedating !!!

[PaintboxEDT]

iam taking my yearling to his first show at the weekend,basically im bricking it !! i havnt shown in hand for years anyway and never a youngster !!!

this is how im reacting to it all and wonder why the bloody hell im putting myself through it !!! ok so i have to pull and plait him,his mane is thick and long and i havnt got a clue how to do it !!! his feathers are ment to come off as well as around his face ect,so im getting in a stew about all of this and then im getting worried about how he is going to react at the show,so im thinking god what if he gets free and runs off,what if he starts a major paddy in the ring and i cant control him,what if he doesnt settle and never get in the ring,the list is endless but that gave you an idea !!! please apart from saying why the hell are you going in the first place please give me some tips and confidance to do this

 

[JoBo]

Calm down dear, you will be absolutely fine! You have a fab yearling there, who will be wonderful, I’m sure of it. Go and enjoy, and breath, that’s quite important! Oh and don’t forget the camera!!!!!!

 

[spacefaer]

you've got several days to get him ready - do the mane pulling and trimming over the next few days - give yourself time to be happy with the results and so it's not a huge shock to him too!

Feathers shouldn't take too long - take the mane off in bite sized chunks.

Again, I would break your show day into manageeable sections so you're not overwhelmed by the whole thing! Make each step an achievement - ie
1.loading him and getting there
2. walking him round and getting him settled.
3. taking him in the ring etc etc

Remember that the whole thing is a learning experience for him and if he's goodeven for bits of the day, then be pleased for him.

He'll probably be brilliant

 

[PaintboxEDT]

thanks jobo,ive been panicing for weeks but now its nearly time im getting worse !!!!

 

[JoBo]

I’m know you are worrying over nothing, bet you will come home full of rosettes. I was like this at Bodey’s first show and he didn’t put a foot wrong. I know it will be the same for you! ENJOY, that's an order!!!

 

[PaintboxEDT]

that sounds like a plan,then i worry and think will he settle at all or will i end up going home gutted !!!!

 

[cronkmooar]

Ok - first remain calm

Start doing things now - do not leave everything until the night before. Just doing something each night - but leave the shaving of whiskers till the night before just in case he gets a bit of stubble trouble - not an attractive look I can tell you.

Is your mane really that thick ? or are you just over reacting

If you can get away with it take of the ends with a thining razor up to the appropriate length then neither of you will have the trauma of pulling so close to the day.

Practice your show at home every night this week - just 2-3 times so he doesn't get bored but enough so both you and he have the hang of it.

Clean tack now so you don't have to do this the night before, get your clothes ready say tomorrow.

On the day arrive early. Let him have a look for about 1/2 an hour in the box just to get his head round everything. During this time have a nice relaxing cup of tea

Once you have got your numbers and are calm get him out of the box and take him for a walk round let him look at everything and practice a bit of trot.

Personally I let mine graze as I find if they are relaxed enought to do that then all is well.

Hand ponio to friend so as you can get yourself ready in good time

Enter ring and collect rosette

Is it just a local show? Do you really need to go all out on preparation? If you can avoid some bits and just concentrate on his education then do that and leave the serious preparation for when you have more time.

Finally, on your run outs don't drag him along try and stay at his shoulder

More than happy to answer any other questions if you need help

Good luck

 

[PaintboxEDT]

[ QUOTE ]
I’m know you are worrying over nothing, bet you will come home full of rosettes. I was like this at Bodey’s first show and he didn’t put a foot wrong. I know it will be the same for you! ENJOY, that's an order!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

i will try my hardest to enjoy it,my OH is on standy to show him if i bottle it,but i really want to take him in myself

 

[PaintboxEDT]

hi thank you for your advice,it is a county show so gone in at the deep end !!!!!!! why oh why !!!! his mane is thick he is welsh d x traditional gypsy cob heres a pic taken a few weeks ago

 

[V1NN]

love your yearling can you not take him 'au natural' ? i think he is of the type to get away with that even if you just razored the mane a wee bit shorter but still natural if u no what i mean?
took my yearling to his 1st show in may i was so worried, he had a bit of a mad half hr and then was an angel and we got reserve champion

good luck anyway he is lovely

x

 

[welshied]

i didn't think his feathers would have to come off i am still waiting to take my 2 year old to his first show had 2 attempts but his loading just wasn't there so i know exactly how you are feeling he will proberbly be fine may just have one little episode i am always petrified that i loose mine lol

 

[PaintboxEDT]

because he is part bred welsh he has to be all trimmed and plaited !!!!!
yes thats my worst fear is him running off so i have just decided that whilst we are waiting around for the class i might put a lunge line on him so i have more rein if he does start !!!