Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Outside Course!

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
What to do?; Question about showing on the line
Topic Started: Dec 13 2007, 12:55 PM (457 Views)
myforx4
Member Avatar
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
[ *  *  * ]
I've been helping a friend raise and train a beautiful 8 mo Hanoverian colt. He's been doing so well that we've picked out his first shows already- both in Aiken, SC, both in January. He was pasture raised until we got him home about a month ago so he's got a pretty full coat on him. He'll get the full spa treatment before we go (clip his face, bath, braiding, etc) but we keep going back and forth as to giving him a full body clip or not. I've never shown a yearling so early in the year so body clipping was never an issue. He's been blanketed since he came home so he's comfortable wearing one. We live in the Charlotte area of NC. The shows are Jan 19 and 26.

Any thoughts? Our main goal in taking him is for exposure and experience but at the same time we don't want to offend the judge by bringing in a wooly bear :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Circuspony
Member Avatar
Thomas H. Cruise!
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
In the breeding classes I've seen, the babies are braided and dressed to the 9s, and a fuzzy coat would look out of place.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Giddy-up
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Can you try to tricking his body by leaving the barn lights on to simulate daylight?

I showed my 3 YO on the line into November & no way was I body clipping him just for that. I blanketed him appropriately & we left the barn lights on until 9 PM. He didn't have the short "buzz" coat, but he was very sleek looking.

Try talking to others that have attended those shows & ask what they see/do. I find it sort of depends on the area you are in how hard core the HB is. The first HB shows in my area are April & I have never seen a body clipped baby there.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Silver Bells
Member Avatar
Magical Leopluridon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
You want to exhibit your horse so you can really accentuate what they are doing in HB classes. Yes braid, yes slick coat, and make sure whoever is doing the handling looks the part too. ;)

Our season starts end of March and beginning of April and so body clip, some use tons of elbow grease. I know Alicia Padro at Barrington Hill gets stated early... you may want to check with her... Also Laurie P may have some pointers for getting underway so early in the show season. :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
myforx4
Member Avatar
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
[ *  *  * ]
Thank you so much for all of the advice! :)

He has been under lights and I've been grooming him at least twice a day. He's got a beautiful shine but his hair is long. :)

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
OpticalIllusion
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
We clipped our little guy last year. We did one show where someone came with a very fuzy pony, and they looked very out of place.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
AtLast
Member Avatar
Magical Leopluridon
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Imo, it sounds like you are going to have to clip to get the polished look that you want to achieve with just a month away.

Pics? :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
myforx4
Member Avatar
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
[ *  *  * ]
Thanks again for all of the help! :)

I think I'm leaning toward clipping too. Bummer is it's been so warm here (70's) but turning cold again this weekend :(

I'll have to get better pictures tomorrow but here is one taken not so long ago:

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Witchy
Member Avatar
You're BANNED!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
He's not that fuzzy. If you aren't chasing points, I wouldn't clip him. He won't look super slick, but he's going to be much happier if you just leave him a bit fuzzy.

Has he worn a blanket before? If he hasn't, start blanketing him before you clip him to make sure he's ok with wearing a blanket. You don't want to find out that he is going to chew it to pieces after he's bald.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
myforx4
Member Avatar
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
[ *  *  * ]
He's been wearing a blanket or a sheet for about a month now :) So far, so good. He much prefers to take his pasturemates boots off :lol:

Since it's been so warm when I groom him his hair lays down pretty well and he looks all sleek and shiny. I was just worried tha once it turned cold again it wouldn't lay so nice :lol:

For the show, right now it's more for experience than anything else :)

Thanks again for all of the help!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
lauriep
Member Avatar
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
I would clip for the following reasons:
1) even if blanketed and hair laying flat, as soon as you take the clothes off it will stand up again, especially if it is even a little chilly.
2) fuzzy hair shows all kinds of dents and wrinkles and can create the illusion of something that isn't really there.
3) trying to trim face/legs/ears/coronet bands and get it to blend is almost impossible with a heavy coat
4) even if just for experience, it is still as horse SHOW and you should always be turned out your absolute best.

JMO...

I'll be clipping my ponies in January so they are completely grown back by Devon.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
myforx4
Member Avatar
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
[ *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
even if blanketed and hair laying flat, as soon as you take the clothes off it will stand up again, especially if it is even a little chilly.


That's what I was worried about :)

Thanks again to everyone for the great responses!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · The Competitive Edge · Next Topic »
Add Reply