| Have you seen any of the Arabian Halter Classes?
My suggestion would be that for the first time you just watch
and if you feel you would like to get the little fellow used to
the COMMOTION bring him along for a few hours.
Each horse reacts differently to the COMMOTION some are as good
as they are at home (few) and others don't know what to do with
themselves there is just so much to see.
My husband is the one to talk to about getting a horse ready
for halter...some of the things that he does do is body clip
(depending on the color when you do it prior to the show); bath,
etc. The problem with body clipping (including ears, etc.) at this
time is the fly population, especially if you let the little guy
out they can be a real torment to him. I know we have a problem
with the older kids after we have clip their ears out. We have
to use rollons, etc.
When you get to the show look us up as we will have a couple
of horses there, one being a halter horse...Dunwishin Arabians.
We are usually in the first barn on the left when you enter
the gate.
Now to get back to your question....get him as used to things
as you can...clippers, bathing, trotting with you, etc. The
more he knows the better he will be.
Good luck...look forward to seeing you...it really is fun.
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| I agree with Kathy Nickerson: Showing weanlings is fun, if you
help THEM think it's fun.
If you're showing amateur, you probably don't have to bodyclip,
unless the haircoat is bleached from the sun. Realize that, if
you bodyclip, your baby will be able to go out only at night, unless
you put a sheet on him during the day. (Not recommended!)
If you have a bay and bodyclip, be prepared to do it about two weeks
prior to the show. You'll be surprised to find a buckskin where
you thought you had a bay! I haven't tried the ULTRA hot oil treatment
for clipped horses; it's supposed to restore the oils that you've
clipped out.
If you have some friend with babies, why not have a "show" of your
own? Set a radio on a fence (blaring, of course!), throw a jacket
over a fence rail (and then move it periodically, to throw them
off guard), tie balloons to a tree. Have "hooters" on the rail,
who shout or HOOT when babies walk by. If your babies can still
walk or trot after this treatment -- and give them a few chances
the first time -- they'll probably be ready for the ring.
The most important thing to teach any baby is WHOA. Don't even
worry about anything else. Babies tend to show themselves, anyway.
As they approach mid-babyhood, you can gradually teach them to plant
their feet, hind feet first. Once they understand that, work on
the front feet. The neck is last.
For fun, you might rent the Bobby Hart video on halter training.
He does a good job. Lots of tips for young horses.
Yes, I do use Show Sheen after a bath. Rub it into the hair with
the palms of your hands, after you've towel-dried the foal. Brush
when dry. At the show, I add ULTRA finishing spray. Again, after
spraying, I wipe the haircoat in the direction of hair growth.
Don't brush it out. Lift the mane and tail hairs and spray into
them from about 6-8 inches;they'll almost glitter in the sun!
I use Afro Sheen (in the haircare section of your supermarket) on
the muzzle, around the eyes, and on the insides of the ears. This
product does not attract dust the way baby oil does and it doesn't
melt. It also doesn't look greasy or clump up.
I use clear Ultra polish and Absorbine black hoof polish.
The most important thing about hooves is that they be clean. I
don't believe in sanding off the periople that protects the hoof,
but I do use a stiff sponge. On those brown spots that ruin a white
hoof, I use a touch of Comet cleanser or fine steel wool.
On black hooves, first use black shoe wax to fill in uneven areas.
When that dries, you can apply polish.
After the show, remove the hoof polish. Ultra makes a spray on
polish remover that couldn't be simpler or faster to use.
A pretty halter with colored beading (the strip of color around
the noseband or crownpiece) looks nice on weanlings. If your baby
has an especially nice forehead, or pretty markings, you can take
off the crownpiece. If you can, use a pretty chain as a throatlatch;
looks much finer than leather.
Which reminds me, make sure you practice a few times at home with
the show halter. Your baby may react to having a chain under his
jaw;you don't want that to happen at the show.
It's important to make the weanling think it's great fun to show.
Be kind and smile at him. Go in the ring with the idea that you're
going to have fun; don't worry about ribbons. A happy baby catches
the judges eye!
Oh, one more thing, if your halter has color, try to repeat the
color in your tie or in your vest. Makes a nice, coordinated touch!
Good luck.
If I can help you further, please call me at DTN 378-6706 or at
home 301-867-1584.
Merrie
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| One more thing: Do as much of the grooming AT HOME! Do all of
your clipping AT HOME! Baby will be more comfortable there, plus
your electricity/water supply will be constant there. Nothing like
trying to clip at a show when everyone else is doing it; watch for
surges that slow down/speed up your clipper!
Save your final wipes with a clean rag, spray with Ultra finishing
spray, and Afro Sheen for just before he goes in the ring.
Clean the feet AT HOME! and add one coat of polish. If you need
to put on another coat at the show -- or if you didn't have time
to use the polish at home -- bring along a mat ( or at least a paper
plate) for the horse to stand on while you apply the polish. Keeps
stray straw/bugs, etc., from sticking.
By the way, are you taking the mare in at the same time? I guess
he'll be weaned by then, right? You can begin taking him away from
her now, just outside a paddock where they can see each other, and
working with him (remember WHOA!). By the time the show rolls around,
they'll both be used to being separated for at least the length
of a class.
Good luck!
Merrie
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