This is something that has been on my mind for a little while so I have decided to get it out there and air it on this blog! Does anyone else think that the majority of people that show in-hand overshow their animals or is it purely the less educated individuals who are new to the sport and perhaps don't know any better? Or, at the other end of the scale, is it in fact the breeders and professionals who while aiming to get their stud name and stock out in front of potential purchasers/clients, demand a little too much of their in-hand animals? I'm not entirely sure of the answer so would be very interested to hear your thoughts.
The reason I included youngstock in the title is because overshowing the babies is something I have noticed in both the UK and here in NZ.
I do know of several well known studs and handlers who only take their yearlings and other youngsters out two or three times a season and this is great. It gives them that valuable show ring education but keeps the horse fresh and interested.
However, I have also noticed people dragging their baby horses and ponies out to show after show and I just do not think it is fair. It is even more distressing to see mares and foals treated like this as young joints find both travelling and the work required in the ring quite tiring. Young minds also find it very stressful. Once they have arrived at a show, I have seen foals/yearlings taken in a huge amount of classes. I'm sorry to say that I consider 3+ classes excessive for a very young animal and I do wonder whether people are more interested in a scrap of ribbon than the welfare of their horse....?
People also need to remember that while in-hand showing is an awful lot of fun and we all love walking away from a competition with that much yearned for red ribbon, if you want your horse to come out in a few years as a successful ridden show horse, overshowing can be detrimental. The last thing you want is a beautiful three year old prospect that is already sick of the show ring! And yes, you can spot them a mile away when compared to ones that have been shown lightly. Something to think about perhaps?
The reason I included youngstock in the title is because overshowing the babies is something I have noticed in both the UK and here in NZ.
I do know of several well known studs and handlers who only take their yearlings and other youngsters out two or three times a season and this is great. It gives them that valuable show ring education but keeps the horse fresh and interested.
However, I have also noticed people dragging their baby horses and ponies out to show after show and I just do not think it is fair. It is even more distressing to see mares and foals treated like this as young joints find both travelling and the work required in the ring quite tiring. Young minds also find it very stressful. Once they have arrived at a show, I have seen foals/yearlings taken in a huge amount of classes. I'm sorry to say that I consider 3+ classes excessive for a very young animal and I do wonder whether people are more interested in a scrap of ribbon than the welfare of their horse....?
People also need to remember that while in-hand showing is an awful lot of fun and we all love walking away from a competition with that much yearned for red ribbon, if you want your horse to come out in a few years as a successful ridden show horse, overshowing can be detrimental. The last thing you want is a beautiful three year old prospect that is already sick of the show ring! And yes, you can spot them a mile away when compared to ones that have been shown lightly. Something to think about perhaps?
