| 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! |
| standing a young horse for a model class...; any tips, tricks etc | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: May 22 2012, 06:09 AM (723 Views) | |
| MayaTy02 | May 22 2012, 06:09 AM Post #1 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hi all, Maya is riding in the VPBA Young Ponies Under Saddle class at Upperville. It is a flat class, where they strip and have a model portion. The pony she is riding has no show experience whatsoever and is coming 5. Anyone have a primer on how she can practice getting her to stand up correctly? Any tips would be appreciated. I do expect that the pony will be dancing around a bit and she's a 13.2 medium so it may be alot for Maya to handle... so any advice appreciated!! |
![]() |
|
| Trialbyfire | May 22 2012, 07:04 AM Post #2 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I would think it's a lot like training for showmanship? One thing that my kids were told for 4H was to practice setting the horse up every time you move them, so they anticipate it. So lead horse from stall to cross-tie area, try to square up, then praise. From barn to arena, again, etc. Every time the horse goes somewhere and the handler stops, you ask it to square up. At first you just ask for it to move it's feet just a little, and even if it's not better, you just praise them for moving and quit. Once they get the idea that they will be asked to move their feet, then you start asking them to actually place feet properly. I think work on the front first, and then eventually when they get that you start trying to get back feet in position. (Not sure about that but I think front first, not back). Anyway, the big tip that everyone has told them is that you need to practice it every day. Otherwise you get a frustrated horse and handler during judging. And at the 4H level (so obviously it is different for you), they will score higher for getting a less than perfect stance but by doing it in a calm, efficient manner, than they will from 20 tries and a frustrated, but perfectly stood up horse. |
![]() |
|
| Plaza Suite | May 22 2012, 07:28 AM Post #3 |
|
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
A trick my trainer has us do for hunter in hand is when we walk into the arena walk like you are going somewhere. Then slow down one step and then stop. It works most of the time and if not its a pretty good start to get them to square up better. |
![]() |
|
| MayaTy02 | May 22 2012, 09:25 AM Post #4 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
thanks guys, keep those suggestions coming! We have been practicing and doing as you said PlazaSuite, walking forward and then asking her to stand as often as we can. I am worried that she's really going to be up looking around at the show she is not going to pay attention. What kind of treats should Maya have, or is she allowed to have? |
![]() |
|
| Witchy | May 22 2012, 10:04 AM Post #5 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The undersaddle class at Upperville was one of the most frightening things I ever saw. Picture 15 unbroken ponies careening around a huge field with kid on them. It looked like a rodeo. In the model, you want to practice making her really stand. Whoa means stand in place and don't move. Look at a lot of the pictures from Pony Finals and the hunter breeding pics from Devon for tips on how to stand her up correctly. You will see that some ponies look better with a higher head, some lower, some should have front legs squared while some should be splayed slightly and then figure out what looks best with your pony. Make sure Maya knows how to hold the reins and that she can stand away from the pony without it moving. She needs to move out of the judges way when he comes to look at the front legs. Also, teach her how to move the pony slightly, not taking big steps to reposition or you will never get it stood up correctly. You can take a mint or some tic-tacs in their box, into the ring with you, if the pony won't mug her and take it from her. Otherwise a silk flower with some perfume on it works too. |
![]() |
|
| MayaTy02 | May 22 2012, 10:27 AM Post #6 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
oh boy Witchy, I know I'm a little intimidated by the thought of the class! This pony has about 60 days undersaddle and has never been off the property Shes very sweet but she's a big medium and Maya is a little kid and just started riding her last week. I'm not worried about the under saddle portion though as I think Maya can handle whatever comes her way when she's on, but the on the ground portion is more touch and go due to the relative sizes of the pony and the kid and both of their inexperience! Fortunately we live close enough that we should be able to get her over to the show every day to look around etc prior to Saturday.On the good news front, I believe it will be held in a ring this year... they put a sand ring in across the street, and that is supposedly where it will be held, which is certainly much better than a big open field We have three of our kids/ponies in the class, but the other two have WAY more show experience than this pony... ugh... so not looking forward to it.Thanks for the tips, I will show her some pics from Devon and Pony Finals, great idea. This pony has beautiful conformation so she can pretty much stand with her head up, head down etc.. and look awesome, but we'll work with our trainer more on what would be best for her in particular. Edited by MayaTy02, May 22 2012, 10:30 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Indy | May 22 2012, 10:46 AM Post #7 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Witchy has good tips. If possible, have Maya keep an eye on where the judge is so she can tell when he's coming up to look at her pony and when she needs to have the pony standing nicely. If it's a big class and she's towards the end, she doesn't need the pony to be standing like a statue for the entire time. A young pony isn't likely going to stand still that long, it'll get fidgety. So better to pay attention to when the judge is a few ponies away and then set the pony up than have it be bored and not cooperative by the time the judge comes by. I like mint wrappers to get their attention, but if you have a pony that gets a bit rude around food type items, it doesn't always work because the pony is more interested in getting at what might be in the crinkly paper than standing still. You can also take a small dog squeeky toy (like toy dog sized, something a kid can easily hold in her hand) in the ring with you to get the pony's ears up. |
![]() |
|
| MayaTy02 | May 22 2012, 10:54 AM Post #8 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
thank you Indy! Great tips!! |
![]() |
|
| retired4now | May 22 2012, 07:48 PM Post #9 |
![]()
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
When I was showing my 3 yr old on the line I practiced relentlessly. Important to do... Establish personal space so the pony doesn't feel the need to be crawling in her lap. There are likely rules on how long a crop they can carry and key for me was to max out the length and then use that crop (not in a hitting way, but more a stroking on the chest to keep her calm and focused) but as the barrier between me and my mare. Also.. instead of carrying wrappers, or treats (which encourages them getting in your face) I put peppermint oil on the end of the crop and used that to help them look bright! Also.. a tired pony is a focussed pony. The lunge line is your friend. TRUST ME.
|
![]() |
|
| Witchy | May 23 2012, 06:19 PM Post #10 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
It's not what your pony does, but what the others may do. When we first bought Trip he was terrified of being ridden with other horses, because he did that class at Upperville and got double barreled in the chest and side by one of the other ponies when they tried to pass. I watched a kid get hauled away in an ambulance last year from the warm-up because the pony blew a gasket. It really is very scary. I don't mean to scare you, but the young hunters at Devon can be horrible, and the horses are all ridden by pros.... Just be prepared for the worst, and if that doesn't happen, then you are golden. Prep the heck out of the ponies you are taking, so they are quiet and calm incase someone else blows up. Better to be too tired than too fresh. Being in a ring should be a big help. They probably decided to add it after last years rodeo.
Edited by Witchy, May 23 2012, 06:24 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| MayaTy02 | May 23 2012, 06:34 PM Post #11 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
well you're doing a great job of scaring me witchy Didn't even think about the others. They were all very well behaved at the VPBA Benefit show in April... well she will be prepped for sure, and I'm sure Maya will be on her starting at 8 AM that day and she will hopefully do the scenic tour every day that week. She's very sensible, not spooky or anything, never put a hoof wrong, so hopefully she will be ok.FYI they opened up the class to 5 yr olds this year, so I'm HOPING that the level of maturity will be better. I know we're bringing two 5 yr olds and a 4 yr old, none of who would I classify as barely broke and wild Maya's will be the greenest though I'm hopeful that the increase in age will encourage folks to wait a year and let their ponies get more experience, am I crazy to hope this?
Edited by MayaTy02, May 23 2012, 06:45 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · The Barn Aisle · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)



Shes very sweet but she's a big medium and Maya is a little kid and just started riding her last week. I'm not worried about the under saddle portion though as I think Maya can handle whatever comes her way when she's on, but the on the ground portion is more touch and go due to the relative sizes of the pony and the kid and both of their inexperience! Fortunately we live close enough that we should be able to get her over to the show every day to look around etc prior to Saturday.
We have three of our kids/ponies in the class, but the other two have WAY more show experience than this pony... ugh... so not looking forward to it.
I'm hopeful that the increase in age will encourage folks to wait a year and let their ponies get more experience, am I crazy to hope this?
12:05 PM Jul 11