Showing Use of rollers and loose side reins on colts, in in-hand classes?

[ashkaye09]

Hi All,

In the past my mother used a leather showing roller and slack side reins for showing an Andalusian colt, he was well behaved but we had it on for ours and everyone else’s safety. I could not find any rules saying that they could not be used, however I’ve seen them on native breeds and heavy horses. What is your opinion on rollers on colts in in-hand classes?

 

[conniegirl]

Depends on what class you are doing and the age of the colt.
In native ponies only certain breeds are allowed them and generally only on adult entires (3+ years)

For example the WPCS says that Youngstock may be shown in a white webbing or rope show halter, leather head collar or show bridle (excluding two & three-year-old colts which must be bitted). Only stallions (4yrs+) may wear harness if they choose, but its not common

 

[dorsetladette]

Harness was used frequently within the Welsh showing world. Some judges asked for the side reins to be removed so they could see free movement.

If you look at old photos of welsh D stallions you'll notice that the roller are sometimes put along way back to give the illusion of a shorter back.

You don't see it much these days, but it was very popular in A and D Showing.

 

[abbijay]

They are used in heavy horse showing for entire males - not usually on the colts but certainly 2 year olds onwards. Having seen the chaos in the (I think) 3 year old stallion class at the Shire horse spring show when one of them got a bit "het up" you can see why. I can't find any of the pictures at the moment but when 750+kg of hormonal 3 year old wants to throw its weight around things can quickly turn dangerous!

 

[Owen45]

Depends on the breed. We have dales ponies and it is a requirement for colts from 3 to be shown in harness . Other breeds however judges may ask for it to be removed . It can help keep a pony straight and abit of control for handler

 

[catroo]

I sometimes show my shetland stallion in a stallion harness, he’s an adult not a colt. He goes much better in one, stays straight and lengthens his neck and stride into the contact.
Judges seem to like it, never been asked to remove the side reins. I did have a fellow competitor complain once, saying it’s ‘illegal’ ?‍