In Hand - Standing up for Judge

[ruthmullen]

This is probably a very basic question but how do you 'train' ponies to stand properly for the judge in In Hand showing? I am guesssing their is a knack along with lots of practice having watched others in the ring pull their ponies out of line in front of the judge and the pony stands perfectly (ie. with the legs in all the right places!) straight away. I have tried practising at home by doing the following, Backing up or standing in front and gently pulling her forward (but she always seems to stand with her front feet square and almost on top of each other, which makes her look very narrow chested!) Standing her and then tapping gently with the cane her legs to try and get her to move them into position and then rewarding when she's close to getting it right (she gets a little narky and fidgety when I try this way) and standing her and then physically moving each leg by hand to where it should be and then rewarding her. If anyone has any tips on how to train them to stand up I would be most grateful, it may be that I've been doing the right sort of things but just need to persevere more, but I'd like to know so that I don't persevere with something thats never going to work!

 

[FMM]

Try initially to lead her into position rather than pushing her back. The pushing back part only really works if you want them to move one leg on each side once you had already achieved the correct position. The more you shove them back if you start off wrong, the worse the position gets!

If you think about it, if they are standing badly, and you push them back a step - they will just be a step further back and still standing badly!

You need to get yourself out in front of the judge as soon as the steward calls you forward so that you have time to prepare yourself before the judge comes over to see you. Poking and prodding is not likely to work unless she is the type of horse that responds to that - most get quite irritated (as you have noticed!)

Not really being much help here, but would reiterate the leading forwards and stopping - having someone who knows what you are trying to achieve close by so they can comment quickly about the position so you don't have to prance around the hrose checking legs - and you can learn exactly when to stop her mid stride to get the best position.