this may seem like a really stupid question...

StormyMoments

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but this isn't something I have ever had to deal with so please bare with me :o

Is being shown inhand completely different for a horse than ridden showing? for example a horse who has never been to a show before is taken in hand the first few times and behaves impeccably and is very chilled is it likely to change when it is ridden at a show or does it just depend of the horse?


I told you it was a stupid question!
 
Not a stupid question at all, it really depends on the horse but being shown in hand and staying calm is a good place to be starting from and should give you the confidence to show ridden. Basicallly if you stay calm and relaxed then the horse should also.
 
Well for my boys first show for the ridden bits i have a crash test dummy in the form of a fearless teen! Ill only be doing in hand classes till i know how he will react! ... I am heavily pregnant though so you have to let me off! ;)
 
I always think its nice (mainly for me! lol) to take them in-hand first, as there is no stress for the handler and its a bit of a dummy run getting them bathed/ ready and taking them there. I went to an in-hand show at the weekend as I haven't taken mine to anything for a while and now I feel more confident again to get out there. If its a youngster or one that hasn't done a lot of showing you could always take them in-hand and then ride them in the warm up as well.
 
its my 8 year old stallion... he has never been to a show as such but was used as a parade horse therefore as soon as there is a lot of horses around and commotion he gets very excited and... explosive... hes already sharp but those types of situations take it to a new level. He was both ridden and long reined in parades so he is used to both but I don't want the excitement or silliness because hes not in a parade anymore he just needs to focus which can be ermmm difficult which is why I thought in hand showing first to get him to realise I don't want him to be such a show off
 
Not a silly question at all.

A young horse that has been to a few in hand shows will have had the opportunity to see a little of life and the great outdoors. Even a ride in the box, a walk round the box park and a ride home will add to the education of a young horse.

When my 18h show hunter made his ridden debut at a very noisy Leics County, I had the peace of mind of knowing he had already seen the motorcycle white helmet team, John Parkers coach team, the Red Arrows and the Household Cavalry, Ok, he did get away from me when the guns went off at the Three Counties, but he didn't go far !!
 
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