help with showing in halter...

[jumpers4me]

I entered Bud into a local show just down the road and I am going for high point. In order to do this I need to enter a halter class. also, it lets him check out the arena before we are riding. I have never in my life watched a halter class or anyone practising. What will the judges be looking for, other than conformation? Also, what are they going to ask us to do? ie. back up, stop, walk etc. Are you supposed to braid? It is not a breed class just a general geldings over 5 class. so i would assume that there are no standards really???

any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated! thanx in advance :)

[Lexi&Max]

I take my horse in geldings 3& over. So this is how it goes at our shows (altho i do it with huntseat clothes and everything its basically the same thing)
You walk in alone and the judge nods at you or says okay. Then you trot to either a cone or just to the end of the arena. After that you lineup on the rail or whereever they have designigated. (i would suggest going in liek second to last because then you have time to see everyone else do it plus have time to set your horse up)

when the judge walks over well do you know what to do when hes by your horses hindquarters/shoulders/ect. basically you split your horse into corners and move accordingly. always point your toes toward your horses toes and stand like angled. um.. i dont really know how to explain but maybe you could google halter classes or showmanship and youd understand.

about moving around your horse when the judge walks around you. i dont know how to explain it over the internet so i really suggest getting a friend who knows how to do it and have them show you. its a lot easier to learn in person.

the judge will probably ask to show you your horses teeth. hmm. i dont know what else.

make sure your horse can stand quietly and *kinda square up* haha my horse is still learning so i usually back him up while the judge is looking at other people til he is somewhat square.

anyways i wish you luck and be POLITE! :p

also you are doing halter not showmanship or showing and fitting right? because they are both really different and showmanship or showing and fitting includes patterns with like turn on the forehead and haunches,ect.

[Lexi&Max]

oh ya about braidiing.. it really depends on how big your show is. it deffiently gives an extra touch so if you have time go for it. or band your horse's mane depending on how short it is. but if you braid the mane be sure to braid the tail. also before your class put some hoof polish on him. i usually just put a hoofconditoner (hoofheal or hoofflex) on max because i dont trust hoof polishn really.

[quarterarabchili]

I agree on somethings that were said but other i dont. Alteast were i have shown you dont braid the horses hair. If it is western halter class. You leave the hair down and straight. Make sure to always smile. The judges love that. But i would google horsemanship because the way you stand when you set up is hard to explain without pics or a real horse. But good luck and hope i helped some.