WildHorse Articles

Showing Horses
By: WildHorse Info
Show your horse, but give him good training first

If you’ve decided to specially train your horse for a show, then you must train him right the first time. Everyone in the saddle is considered a trainer. So if you don’t think you'll be able to properly train your horse, don’t bother practicing. Get a professional trainer instead.

If you try to train the horse and he gets everything wrong, it might be impossible for you to make him forget what he's learned. Besides, the saying that goes: 'Retraining is difficult', is true. So if you can’t ensure success, hand the reins of your horse to a professional show horse trainer.

You can observe how a professional handles training with a show horse. Working with a professional is the best method in learning the secrets in becoming a good show horse trainer. You’ll be able to get good tips by observing his techniques, and in time, you can develop training techniques of your own.

In training, much like with other animals, horses learn using the reward and reprimand type system. If your horse refused to make a jump or failed in doing a simple trick, a little harder tap is more appropriate than a gentle pat.

Horses may think that you are pleased or you don’t care enough with his poor performances. You don’t want to send a wrong signal. However, it should be remembered that a couple of taps should be enough. Losing your temper while training a horse won’t do any good.

If it seems that your horse refuses to do a trick because he is scared, then you might want to re-assess your horse’s capability first. In conducting a good training, you must never force a horse beyond his limits. Never force a horse do something that he isn't ready for. Instead find a way to build in a non threatening way toward the target.

You will also need to decide on what bit to use in riding your show horse. Even if you’re the best horse rider, you’ll suffer needlessly if you’re not using a bit that suits the horse. In selecting which bit to use, try to observe the horse’s mannerisms. You’ll surely be able to get a hint.

Training a show horse requires a lot of patience. Oftentimes, you need to take your horse for short walks around to increase his confidence and trust in you as a trainer. Your horse must learn to understand that you won't cause him any harm. Training is a slow process. It’s one of the things that shouldn't be rushed, or else, you won’t achieve your desired results.
In many countries there are networks of local and regional horse shows.

There is a whole progression of skills levels for riders and we do encourage all horse riders to consider competing at horse shows.

There are winnings to be made of course but the monetary value is tiny. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of fun and enjoyment to be had from competing.

Of course, in order to attend the shows it will be necessary to transport your horse in a horse box/trailer.

Unfortunately the cost of these may prevent some from participating.

All we can do is encourage riders to take their skills further to go to the shows.
Article provided by WildHorse Info.