In Hand - training to stand 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!

 

[elizabethshaw]

don't know if this will help at all, and I would imagine that 'English' show pro's have their own way of achieving what you want, but we do western showmanship where we have to stand the horse up square for the judge, and we have to do it without touching the horse, so we do it all from the halter. Basically the horse is outfitted in a leather halter and a chain under the chin, although you could do it in just a halter when training - once they get the idea you could do it with a bridle or whatever you have to show in. When you stop the horse, you should aim to have 2 legs in the right place so you only have to fix the other 2. One will usually be the back and one will usually be the front, fix the back one first, by moving her head away from the leg (so if her hind right is too far forward move her head down and to the left and then exert pressure on her head in a downwards and backwards motion and you should find that she moves the required leg. She will prbably move it too much but eventually you should be able to get her to move with more finesse. When you want to move her front leg, you will need to move her head away but up, so if her left leg is too far forward, move her head upwards and to her right and then push her head to the rear and she should move the leg back. To move a front leg forward, move the head towards the opposite leg and pull in a slightly upward motion. As I say, in the early days she will move her legs too far and may even try to take a step with a second leg to balance herself, but it is possible to perfect this so that you can get your horse to move the required leg an inch or two in the required direction. it does take a lot of practice but once you've trained her to do it, it gives you so much control.

 

[teresagarsden]

If you position the hind legs then before you go to re-position the front legs you put a treat in your hand about six inches down the lead rope, whilst holding the leadrope up.
So when you encorage the horse to spep forward with the front legs ypu will gently encorage them forwards and keeping the head up high so they are not on the forehand and do not follow through with the hind legs, so just stratch more with the fore-legs. if the horse does move only the fore legs treat.
My welsh cob will now stand perfect for the judge by just lifting my hand holding the leadrein. Bless him.
Hope this makes sense

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