Scars and Showing

A

Amaretto

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 October 2008
Messages
726
Location
Lancs
Visit site
Ok, friend down in Pembrokeshre has a beautiful connemara, fabulous conformation etc. Being a little ignorant with the showing game, would a slight scar to the cannon bone seriously penalise it in a showing class? Or would they look at the whole picture? For example, would a judge prefer

a) a horse with minor defects in conformation and clean legs; or
b) a horse with brilliant conformation, but cannon bone scars/splints etc?

Am confused, as I know of a lovely horse who was pigeon toed who won at a prestigious hunter class last year, when I would have expected it to be penalised for conformational defects.
confused.gif


So if a horse is basically 'correct', are slight scars, conformational defects overlooked?
ooo.gif


Thanks!
grin.gif
 
I'm interested in your replies Amaretto. I've often wondered if I could show Sunny in a veteran class - he's as sound as a pound but had to have an eye removed 3 years ago and I don't know if that would automatically ban him x
 
me too. I have a lovely connemara x and would like to show her but unfortunately she has scarring on her back from burns. Its a real pity cos she is very well put together and has a stunning head. Surely they wouldn't ban horses for having inperfections, just not place them??? Seems a bit harsh to ban them.
 
No they are not banned just placed accordingly to the judges own preference. Showing is always down to individual likes and choices. So some judges may prefer once who are perfect conformation but have a scar another may not. It also all depends on which classes you enter.
Just do it and have some fun
 
My boy has a big scar on his leg, but I am planning on doing veterens with him, as according to their rulebook scars are not taken into account, as long as the horse is supple and the injury incurred no longer affects his ability to do the job.
 
Its a case of whatever the judges feels like on the day, if it goes better than anything else on the day then you are likely to get placed accordingly however if it is only as good as anything else on the day then its likely to be placed below.
If my cob got a scar that was significant and couldn't be covered I would say his showing career was over! It wouldnt stop him doing local though
 
My sisters old horse had loads of scars on both of his back legs from when he got caught in wire as a youngster & he won RIHS twice & HOYS twice - so no, they don't go against them that much!!!

You could always try & diguise it by putting chalk on it etc.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is the scar lumpy or just white hair? You might be able to cover it with some make up?

[/ QUOTE ]

Lumpy unfortunately. Would only be doing local shows.
 
Pigeon toes in a ring with long grass can be disguised quite easily. Or in an arena with a loose surface the handler may kick the surface and then stand the horse in it. There is a major skill involved when doing the conformation section of a class. if you have a horse with less than pefect conformation!

If you are doing local stuff, then it won't be so important - particularly as it is obviously an accident rather than a conformation issue. However, you may find locally that inexperienced judges will put you down as it will be something they can see where they may well not spot a curb or other problem. Just depends!
 
It's always baffled me why a horse would be discriminated in a show class because of a scar - after all it isn't congenital!!! If it was a splint or a blemish caused by poor conformation then definitely mark down but to penalise a perfect horse because it has not been wrapped in cotton wool is daft!!!
 
In VHS veteran classes rules state old injuries that have healed if the horse is should will be discounted.

So if your horse is missing an eye and it is healed and does not effect him it should not be considered.

Your marks are based on 40% condition and turn out and 60% way of going (which includes manners)

Have a go - you never know
 
If you are doing local stuff, then it won't be so important - particularly as it is obviously an accident rather than a conformation issue. However, you may find locally that inexperienced judges will put you down as it will be something they can see where they may well not spot a curb or other problem. Just depends!

[/ QUOTE ]

He has very good conformation. Manners and movement are also good, so hopefully it won't be a problem
grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top