Showing Youngstock showing newb - help!

FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 January 2008
Messages
4,586
Visit site
Apologies for what I'm sure will be a bunch of silly questions, but I'm a total newbie when it comes to in-hand showing and owning a baby so I'm a bit clueless.

A local yard is running a show at the end of May and has an in-hand youngstock class. The yard is about 10 mins from us and the class is early so I'm tempted to take Dante for the experience but not sure if it's too soon to start doing this kinda thing and don't want to push him too much or overwhelm him.

I know the yard and owner as I used to livery there many moons ago so feel as a venue it would be ideal, but he only officially turned a year old last week and so far has just been enjoying being a baby with the occasional brush over. That said, he's an absolute poppet to lead, so I don't think it'd take much to get him ready for a small showing class.

So WWYD if he were yours?

And if it is a yes, what on earth does he/I wear? Can I get away with not bitting him or is it essential? Do I need to plait, I'm guessing yes? Will probably think of more questions shortly.

Pic of said cutie having breakfast in bed a few months back... really need to start taking more regular pics of him!

IMG-20181229-WA0002.jpg
 
As the question is a WWYD type one then no I wouldn’t. For a multitude of reasons, mostly because I dislike showing and at this age I’m ambivalent about the benefits and also I do think yearlings and 2yos are just better left to their own devices in a youngstock herd. It is possible to over handle them imo.

That said, for everyone that thinks like me, there will be another that is very pro getting them handled and out and about. Roads to Rome and all that jazz
 
Thanks ihatework, I'm firmly on the fence about it right now so it's good to see you wouldn't.

Up til now I've very much left him be, though I suspect he was probably handled more than we thought in Germany as I've been very fortunate in how mannerly he is. I just wasn't sure if I should be looking to take him out and about a bit this summer to get used to things away from home, but it sounds as though I've got plenty of time on that front.
 
FestiveFuzz said:
Thanks ihatework, I'm firmly on the fence about it right now so it's good to see you wouldn't.

Up til now I've very much left him be, though I suspect he was probably handled more than we thought in Germany as I've been very fortunate in how mannerly he is. I just wasn't sure if I should be looking to take him out and about a bit this summer to get used to things away from home, but it sounds as though I've got plenty of time on that front.
Click to expand...

I’m very pro doing the handling at the foal stage it sets them up. Then just the basics while they grow up.
 
i showed my filly at 2 and she really became traffic and busy show proof...if you know what i mean....i only did 2 or 3 small local shows and she seemed to be quite happy to go out. 1 year old would be too young IMO but i know people who have showed section b ponies at 1 year and i am not sure how i feel about that although the ponies dont seem bothered...
 
If he's going to be a show horse, I'd plan a couple of low key shows this year, then 3 next year.

If not, then just a trip out and back in transport (even for you to visit somewhere like a friends yard for a quick cuppa, lead around and return) later in the year, just for training.

Edit, my comments above are based on a 2 yr old. If a yearling, then no, I wouldn't, never showed yearlings despite producing for years, mine stayed home.
 
Perfect! He'll hopefully be my next dressage horse so definitely no plans to show long term, it was more just for exposure but sounds like I'm best leaving it for now. Thanks guys!
 
If you want to go then go. As you say it's somewhere you know, it's just up the road so not a major distance to travel and a yearling having a strop is a lot easier to deal with than an older horse! It will certainly do him no harm if he is quite an amenable horse as it is. I rarely show yearlings, if I do it's one or 2 shows tops in a year. Youngsters that have been shown get a little more general life experience. But don't over show them so they get bored. One poor pony up here went to 12 shows in the space of 5 months since he was born! He was sick and fed up by the end! He started off out with his mum literally as soon as he could be in the July and carried on until the final youngstock show as a weanling in November! Poor little mite!

For him: yes you need to plait his mane. I would leave his tail, you shouldn't really plait tails and youngsters - especially yearlings - are not of working age so no need to touch it. You can show him in an in-hand bridle bitted or in a filly slip/smart leather headcollar with no bit. The choice is yours. He will need to walk out smartly and trot out smartly on command as well as stand up nicely. Is he of a hunter build or lighter weight? If hunter then a plain browband and noseband, if lighter then a coloured, velvet browband - but this is not essential at a wee local show.

For you - A tweed jacket, shirt, tie, smart trousers - preferably not black! comfortable, smart run-in-able shoes/boots, Gloves - again not black! A hat, your hair needs to be tied up/back/neat and a show cane should be carried for effect - and one with a metal end if great for youngsters to chew on! Oh and a smile!
 
I tend to give mine a trip out, if possible to the BEF either as a foal or as a yearling. The fact that its indoors, and they can have a trot round on there own really helps them relax, and can give them an ideal 1st trip out. After that it just depends if I have the time, I do personally like them to have a quick trip out to a youngstock class, but ive only ever done 1class as a 2yo with them. Frank went the other week. It was great training for him, he stood great while he was plaited, loaded superb. At the show he was a bit nervous when the ramp came down, but he had a good wait before his class, so by the time he had to go in he had relaxed and was happily looking out at everyone. In the ring he was a bit of a tit while we where in the line up, just fiddling and tossing his head about a bit, but during the trot up he was fabulous. Then he walked back to the lorry and loaded ready to go home. I just find its much easier doing this sort of stuff while they are younger.
In your shoes practise loading for a bit, and when he finds it easy, there is no harm in a little trip out around the corner. You may find you actually enjoy it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top