Should I show my colt? *pics*

mrsjcmking

mrsjcmking

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I bought a rescue pony three weeks ago. Many people on my yard have said that i should show him in hand but I don't know if they are just saying this to be nice.

I've never showed a pony in hand before, what does it involve, what sort of condition does he need to be in?

What do you think of him?

this is him 3 weeks ago -

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This is him now -

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He's still a bit ribby, but he's gaining weight at a good speed!

what do you think?
 
I think that taking young horses on days out to shows and the like can be very educational for them and a good thing, but that you need to get to know him well first over several months, so he learns that he can trust you and so that he understands how to lead etc and is comfortable doing this even with noise, other horses and distractions about.

I will be honest and say I don't think he will win hundreds of prizes, but as long as you love him that is not important:)
 
He looks so much better now, well done you...
I know nothing on showing, but I think his feet need to be trimmed, as they look rather long at the moment...
Even if you never get placed, showing is a fabulous way to show your boy the world and de-spook him!!!
Best of luck, and keep us updated please!!
 
TBH No..., unless you want to end up at the bottom of the line with some serious comments from the judge. Wait til he looks a little healthier

Blitz
 
aww he is beautiful for a rescue pony! i think with a bit of time he would be even more stunning :)

if u want to show him here are a few tips, (i dont show but my best friend does and i go with her)

- you need proper clothes(show jacket or what ever)
- he needs to be spotless(obv)
- Clean headcollor or what ever you use
- lots of water!
- a show name obv:L
im not an expert on this but if you ask some people at ur yard im sure they would help! :) good luck :Dxx
 
Please have him gelded!!

Not wishing to be unkind but I'm not too sure what you would actually show him as.

If I were you - I would allow him to grow up, fill out, mature and have fun with him.
 
Spudlet said:
I think that taking young horses on days out to shows and the like can be very educational for them and a good thing, but that you need to get to know him well first over several months, so he learns that he can trust you and so that he understands how to lead etc and is comfortable doing this even with noise, other horses and distractions about.

I will be honest and say I don't think he will win hundreds of prizes, but as long as you love him that is not important:)
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I agree with Spudlet. Give him time to settle in esp as he is a young rescue pony.
Where did you rescue him from?
 
Spudlet said:
I think that taking young horses on days out to shows and the like can be very educational for them and a good thing, but that you need to get to know him well first over several months, so he learns that he can trust you and so that he understands how to lead etc and is comfortable doing this even with noise, other horses and distractions about.

I will be honest and say I don't think he will win hundreds of prizes, but as long as you love him that is not important:)
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what a lovely response. honest and nice, not seen a lot of that on here recently.
 
You could take him to a couple of shows just for the experience and to let him see the world once you have done some handling work with him.

Go the for the fun and experience but to my eye he isn't quality enough to be seriously competitive.

Enjoy him.
 
do you know what breeding he is? Im not sure what type of classes you would do with him? I would wait untill he fills out a bit and spend the time to get to know him.

conratulations he looks much better from when you got him
 
i think hel blossom into something grand you know. i would let him mature abit more, but sure, once hes settled go and have some fun with him!
 
His age and state was my concern, but i've had a couple of people who have been quite forceful (like asking me several times in the last week)

He does need his feet trimmed but wont let me touch them yet!

I am getting him gelded at some point!

I was thinking of maybe doing it next summer, and just letting him enjoy himself for a while!

He's classed as a riding pony type! No idea about his sire or dam. His colouring is classed as near leopard (he's a tiny bit spotted)

I'm not really into shows, he's just my new little Baby and he looks after me just as much as i look after him!

He was apparently rescued from a quarry...he hadn't seen grass until about 5 weeks ago so went a bit grazing crazy. i bought him 3 weeks ago, wouldn't let me anywhere near him, freaked out at the leadrope, and now he leads like a star, standing as close to me as poss!

He's never going to be a champion but he's my little sweetheart I was just interested to hear what others had to say about him!
 
mrsjcmking said:
He's never going to be a champion but he's my little sweetheart I was just interested to hear what others had to say about him!
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He is a lucky pony to have found you:)

Horses really are the most forgiving creatures, even ones that have suffered the most awful things can still trust people - so I'm sure you'll be able to get those feet sorted in no time. Take him out next summer - it will be a good learning curve for him! Magazines often seem to do features on how to prepare for showing classes, so you could always keep an eye out for one.
 
OP, you asked a question and I shall try to answer you. If you want to show, even at local level, he should be well covered and healthy, go well in hand and have some quality. Please dont be under the illusion that you could show this little colt in this condidtion. I am sorry but I will not flower up an answer, you clearly asked for an opinion, and I am affraid that I have given it. I hope you will soon be having him gelded.
 
me personally, i would give him the winter to get to know you and fatten up (hopefully) then come spring give him a trim and a tidy and go for it. don't worry about winning prizes its about giving him education for the future. every time i go to a competition i have goals in mind (never placings) for example last weekend i went dressage with my old boy and my goal was to get him load both ways in 10 mins which we achieved. i am out jumping a youngster for its owner this weekend and we have a joint goal of getting him there and trying to go clear (in terms of no refusals, he can have a cricket score with poles) so just go out set a achievable target and have fun. showing might not be his forte but the experience will stand him in good stead for the future.

good luck with him
 
pastie2 said:
OP, you asked a question and I shall try to answer you. If you want to show, even at local level, he should be well covered and healthy, go well in hand and have some quality. Please dont be under the illusion that you could show this little colt in this condidtion. I am sorry but I will not flower up an answer, you clearly asked for an opinion, and I am affraid that I have given it. I hope you will soon be having him gelded.
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See OPs later post;)
 
eggs said:
You could take him to a couple of shows just for the experience and to let him see the world once you have done some handling work with him.

Go the for the fun and experience but to my eye he isn't quality enough to be seriously competitive.

Enjoy him.
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I'm afraid I have to agree with this and I would certainly wait until next year before reassessing him too but it'll all be great experience for you both so I hope you have a lot of fun with him.
 
I would say in a couple of years once he's filled out, got some muscle & condition and grown up, you'll have a smashing cob type on your hands. Though sadly he's mostly white so you will spend hour of your life scrubbing him, only for him to lie in a massive pile of poo the night before you go somewhere :p The lovely thing about a lot of horses that have been treated badly is they often bond very ell with those who do look after them, so I'm sure you will have many years of fun with him :)

At the moment, I would give him some time to settle in and get used to his new surroundings and wouldn't try to do much more than let him come to know you. You have said you're getting him gelded, which is all good, crack on with getting that done (obviously speak to a vet asap about this and they will be able to help you). You've also said you are letting him have the winter to chill out, which is also all good. At the moment it's difficult to tell how he'll turn out as he's been neglected and on top of that looks a bit to be in that ugly duckling stage, lol. He does look a lot better already, though, so keep doing what you're doing.

I think you're going the right way in aiming for next summer, as that will give him some time to grow up and it will be easier to judge what classes you may want to do. Most local shows have fun classes to start you off and it's always a good idea to get a youngster out and about to start their education.

Please keep up updated with how he's going and maybe by next spring people on here will be able to comment a little more on what classes he could do. I'm sure he'll turn out to be a swan ;)
 
What a cutie and well done on the work you have done with him so far, the little chap has landed on his feet with you.
However i would probably give him the rest of this year to mature a bit and settle in. Get him gelded in the Autumn (less flies) and after a winter of TLC, plenty of hay and handling you will have a nice youngster you can take out and about.

Get him used to walking at your side and turning, trotting in hand, having strangers touching him all over and if you can loading. Remember he's very young so anything you do with him needs to be in short bursts but in a routine.

You will need to wear smart clothes i.e trousers, sensible shoes, shirt and tie, a jacket or a waistcoat. Long hair in a hair net with either a velvet hat or trilby, a show cane. Keep jewelery and make up to a minimum.
If you have any shows near you in the next few months it may be worth going along and just watching what you need to do and wear.

As for classes you can enter differs from show to show. Some shows have "under 3 years" some have "Open" classes, there are shows that are judged by "height" and some by breed.
Don't forget that best turned out is different to "In Hand" so best getting a program to the show before hand to make sure what the entry requirements are.

Good luck and enjoy him.
 
I wouldn't show him this year at all, I would get some decent food into him (which it looks like your doing already:)), get him gelded, do some groundwork, take him for walks, loading, rugging etc....
then next spring get him tidied up!! pull that mane to within an inch of it's life!! (pet hate of mine is long, thick, bushy manes, unless on traditional cobs!) and the way his mane comes to a point in the middle makes his neck look very, very weak. Trim his beard and heels and plait him up.
Classes could include youngstock, driving type, family pony, best spot, handsome gelding etc etc there's LOADS of classes to do at local level!
Enjoy him - because I bet anything he will turn out to be a safe, sensible riding horse - good luck!
 
Thanks for all your responses!

kinda confirmed what i thought.

I think he'll be gorgeous once he's filled out and trimmed up, and got a bit of muscle on him!

Thanks again for your honesty and help and will definitely keep everyone updated!!!
 
I'm going to go against the grain here and say yes, you should show him. It's good for them to get the exprerience and education. But only after you've got to know eachother better and he is confident and happy with being handled - stroked, touched all over, feet picked up, BATHED etc and obviously walking and trotting. Enter him in some general youngstock classes - even some indoor winter ones if you have any near you. All that is involved is walk and trot tround the ring (all together) Line up, individual walk and trot up for Judge, walk around again while judge decides, judge pulls everyone in in order and everyone gets their rosettes! :o)

p.s I think once he grows into himself he will be a LOVELY looking lad ;o)

just to prove a point, This is my lad when I first got him:
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and 4 months later:
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and a year after that:

Sandridgeburyshow2010.jpg
 
I find a few replys totally uncalled for and nasty.
Yes he needs time to mature and yes he need condition but once he has he will be a fab little cob.

Well done OP for getting this far in 3 weeks. Im sure in 3 months he will look great.

Keep us updated :)
 
I don't think you're going against the grain too much CBFan, I think most people agree it would do him good when he's a bit healthier:)

Your horse looks stunning btw!

Here is another success story for a little rescue pony:)
 
CBFan said:
I'm going to go against the grain here and say yes, you should show him. It's good for them to get the exprerience and education. But only after you've got to know eachother better and he is confident and happy with being handled - stroked, touched all over, feet picked up, BATHED etc and obviously walking and trotting. Enter him in some general youngstock classes - even some indoor winter ones if you have any near you. All that is involved is walk and trot tround the ring (all together) Line up, individual walk and trot up for Judge, walk around again while judge decides, judge pulls everyone in in order and everyone gets their rosettes! :o)

p.s I think once he grows into himself he will be a LOVELY looking lad ;o)

just to prove a point, This is my lad when I first got him:
100_2562.jpg


and 4 months later:
bekonscothorse021.jpg


and a year after that:

Sandridgeburyshow2010.jpg
Click to expand...

Holy **** can you do that to my horse LOL
 
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