Stallions at shows

pidgeypony

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Hi guys. I am asking a question on behalf of a friend, as I don't and never have, owned a stallion.

What, if any, rules are there regarding Stallions at shows?
I refer in particular to how Stallions should be kept whilst not in the ring

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give
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Generally stallions wear red/white/blue ribbon in their tails though people can be pretty bad at keeping distance from them!
You should always have the stallion in a bridle and it's a good idea to tie up with two ropes if you have to tie up outside the lorry
 
Last year at a show i was waiting to go into my class when i could here this very high pitched neighing.I turned round to see this palamino stallion had mounted this pony and rider.The mare seemed to be quite up for it but i dont think the rider was too impressed.Luckily the stallion was pulled off the mare and the rider and mare was unhurt.The stallion then tried to have a go at another horse.the stallion was inhand and the inhand classes had finished.But why stand outside a ring with a stallion where other horses had all collected to enter the showjumping ring.Abit crazy i think!.
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Places lke BE and BD provide you with stallion tags to be worn on the bridle when ridden. After being cannoned into at the Ht last weekend we may well start to put ribbon in his tail.
We take precautions such as several leadropes, one tied straight to the tie ring, the other to some string, the theory being if the short one breaks the string, the ring may hold him..
We also use a dead electric tape and a couple of posts to fence off immediately behind him when tied to the box.
I wouldn't attempt to unload/load ours without a lunge line on him, and would never lead him anywhere at a show unless tacked up. He knows tack means ridden not covering work, so it's a pshycological thing.
Ours have always stood quietly outside collecting rings etc, and although they may chuckle to in season mares when ridden they don't normally behave badly.
I think it's a responsibilty not to be taken lightly taking a entire to a competition, and you do need to have your wits about you all the time. (and if like last weekend your sallion misbehaves, a brandy or two won't go amisss for the handler...
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Thankyou for your replies. I knew about the ribbons but, to be honest, have NEVER seen a Stallion wearing them.
I have had it suggested to me that any Stallion, whilst not in the ring, should be held via a stallion chain - a lead rope/rein with a chain end. I have also had it suggested that all stallions, when not in the ring, should be trailered/boxed. Maybe that last one is just for 'showing' shows then.
Sadly my friend is asking this after her tiny rescue pony was mounted by an aggressive stallion at a 'showing' show last week.

Many thanks for all your help.
 
Just had to put a wee reply in defence of stallions on here!

I went to a SJ show at the beginning of the week on one of our stallions that is beautifully behaved. We unfortunately happened to be in the ring before a mare that was raging in season and in my oppinion completely out of control!

well, to cut a long story short, the mare mantioned ended up leaping off of the track and straight onto the quarters of the stallion i was on, which I was standing well clear of anyone who was still warming up, waiting to enter the ring.

He coped very well, but obviously it ruined his round as he was confused, not sure if he was now allowed to get "randy" whilst under saddle. Getting him to concentrate was very difficult, but IMO it was not his fault at all.

I think that maybe Mare owners should take more responsibility also, and maybe they should wear ribbons, or refrain from taking in season mares to shows?

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it is actually now a rule at BE events that stallions must wear bridles and/or stud chain as well as their tag. the thing is your stallion may be the most christian horse there is but not every else can say the same about their animal. IMO Leading stallions about shows of any sort in plain headcollars without gloves or a stick of some sort is the height of stupidity and irresponsibility, not just for yourself but to everyone around you.
having worked in some of the worlds top studs, i am probably quite anal about this but anyone who works with entire horses knows how dangerous it can be. i just dont see the point of taking the risk just to prove how well behaved yours is. i am much more impresseed by horses of any sort properly handled.
 
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