In hand showing youngsters - what do we need?

[maya2008]

One dark bay (looks black) DHP, one coloured (ginger and white) mixed breed. Both rising 3yo. Would be in hand youngstock and maybe young handler if they prove quiet enough for my son to have a go. Purely going for the experience for them.

- What do they need? Bridle? Anything else beyond being clean?
- What do I/husband/son need to wear?

Our local place does fun showing shows for beginners so they overlook minor mistakes. Just wanting them to get used to the atmosphere ahead of going out and about with a child on board next year.

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[fidleyspromise]

I'd like to know this too so bumping thread.

 

[holeymoley]

Basic bridle with leather lead. Snaffle bit- rubber or plain metal. No fancy browbands. Plain and simple.

Traditionally the leader wears the opposite colour of trousers to the horse’s legs- ie, dark legged horse you would wear lighter trousers. Comfortable/robust shoes for running. Shirt, tie and either waistcoat or tweed jacket. Some wear flatcaps but I think with youngsters you need to wear correctly fitted hard riding hat.

 

[WelshHoarder]

A sense of humour . We took Penny out in-hand last year fully expecting her to go full Welsh dragon on us given she’s the feisty one of the gang. Instead she went all “rabbit in the headlights” and point blank refused to trot at all - which is fairly catastrophic when it comes to showing off a Welsh D!

But otherwise as holeymoley said, clean, simple tack, neat & tidy for the leader (my waistcoat is just a cheapy tweed from Amazon), yes to a hard hat for preference in a youngstock class, I’ve seen some impressive airs above the ground, and I think they’re strongly recommended, if not required, for junior handler.

But above all, go and have fun. I didn’t care that Penny came last in both her classes - she was a little star considering it was her first time out, travelled and loaded like a dream, and didn’t deck me and leg it in the ring so in my eyes it was a huge win.