Welsh D youngster - in-hand showing advice please?

[domane]

Not sure whether I have put this in the right place, but "Competition Riders" didn't seem appropriate as he's too young to be ridden...

I have a pretty little 7m Welsh D colt. Never had a Welshie before so I'm a complete rookie, but I'm keen and eager to learn. I've been having some health problems and have been trying to sell him but I'm feeling a bit better lately so I'm thinking of keeping him for a bit longer and investing in him as he's such a sweet-natured fella. So I'm thinking of having a stab at some low-level in-hand showing this summer and would appreciate any advice you can give, along with tips and tricks I know for in-hand he will need to walk and trot but not sure whether he should wear a bitless in-hand bridle or one of those white webbing ones. Also, how do you train a youngster to do that show stance, with the legs back? What should I be feeding him to help him to look his best? Any any special grooming tips?

Thanks in advance

Oh, here's the little man.. this was taken back in October so his mane is looking a little more ... um... normal, now

 

[cob&onion]

What a lovely little chappie!! i to have a 7 month welsh d colt who am hoping to show inhand this year.......will be watching your post very carefully! how big will yours make? am hoping my will make at least 15hh

 

[domane]

Thanks Dad is 14.2 and mum is 14.3 so I don't think he'll reach 15 hands! But his parents are chunky, weight-carrying beasties so I'm hoping William will take after them in that way...

 

[cobiau]

Hi there, he is lovely I did some in-hand showing with a sec d mare a couple of yrs ago and had lots of fun, welsh breeds shown in white webbing halter normally, yearling (i think) colts & older have to have in-hand bridle and stallion bit, so you'll be fine with halter for a while, you carry an in-hand whip which is a short one with a long tail on which they use to keep the horses attention and looking alert mainly when they're stood in line. lots of practice in school or field to get them walking & trotting nicely for you, nice fast trot shows off their leg action so you need to be fit! but try to discourage them breaking into canter. when you do individual walk away and trot back for judge make sure you are on the outside when you turn, this can take some practice aswell. standing nicely takes practice too, and you should aim for a nice square stance rather than the legs back thing, most welsh classes the handlers wear trousers rather than jods, shirt, tie and waistcoat or jacket & nice sturdy boots for running (or a lot of them wear football togs for grip) Go for it and enjoy

 

[cobiau]

ooh meant to say, as for grooming etc. chalk or paste for any white on legs, obviously natural mane & tail, most people trim the whiskers but don't overdo it and just before you go into ring, put a drop of baby oil in your hand and rub through mane and tail for shine and then whats left on your hands rub over their face esp eyes and muzzle

 

[xloopylozzax]

he needs a white halter, and you dont need to train him to stand like a german shepherd (massive pet hate)
bit of brylcreme will tame his foaly hair (and tail, bandage it to set it)
This is Hal as a foal (first foal show of many, not long weaned) as you can see he did alright (first of many ). I estimate hes about 7 months old there, born in april and its still 1997 in the pic.
Showing foals/youngstock is tough- mum hates doing it because of the low centre of gravity, would rather have a 'raging' stallion. deffo recommend a hard hat, cos even if yours is good, the one next to you could quite easily have your head off unfortunately. nice shirt and tie, waistcoat (or jacket if its cold) some smart trousers (opposite to legs, eg dark legs light trousers etc) and just some boots/trainers you can run in should be fine.

LOL just found this, sums up running foals, you just let them get on with it, this was as a yearling