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Guidelines for Draft Horse Showmanship
All of the guidelines are important, but safety has to come first. When you are showing a horse on the move the lead line must be in the right hand. When you come to a stop the guideline is, you have 30 seconds to turn around and face our horse with the lead line in your left hand. You should always have a show stick in the opposite hand from the lead line. Use the show stick to guide the horse and the lead line to control the horse. When you are running or walking the horse you should bring the show stick up in front of you so that the horse knows that it is there. This will help to keep the horse off you.
A trailer is a very important part of a good showman. The showman should tell the trailer what he or she wants them to do. Remember every horse is different. A good trailer and showman can make you or break you when showing.
Eye contact with the judge is also very important. You should know where the judge is at all times. The rule is when you go into the ring look and see what the judge has on his head and what he has on his feet. Keep one eye on the judge and the other on the horse. This takes a lot of work.
Good judges will always give you time to get your horse set up within reason. The judge wants you to have the horse set with his hind feet placed closed together vertically, from the rump to the hock to the ankle. The font legs need to be set up even and square to the shoulder. The hind feet can be one just ahead of the other, if they are close together.
When you are standing with the horse and facing the horse, you need to have one foot ahead of the other so that you can pivot back and forth with the horse's movement. Also by having your feet in this position, you can step back so that the judge can see your horse and never change sides of the horse. You must always be on the horses left side.
Moving of the horse is very important. When you go up to the judge, they will tell you what they want you to do and if you do not understand, always ask again. Always turn your horse away from you and never onto yourself. When you are going away from the judge, keep your horse lined up with the judge so that he does not have to move all over the ring to see you. If the horse does not run straight, go back and do it over and the trailer is there to help you move them straight. When you are going away from the judge, keep your horse lined up straight, go back and do it over and the trailer is there to help you move them straight. When you are going away from the judge you need to keep looking back at the judge and have eye contact with the judge. When you get to the other end of the ring, be sure to make the keyhole turn. Do not make too tight of a turn. When going back to the judge, keep the horse lined up with the judge and if running, slow them down before you reach the judge so that you do not run him\her over. When you get back to the judge, set your horse up using the show stick and lead chain and not your hand. The trailer should be in front of the horse trying to make him get his ears up. If the horse does not stand good, the trailer can leave the front of the horse and help to keep them from turning. Never let the horse turn circles on you. If he\she starts to turn, always turn him\her the other way.
Most important, when standing up your horse, try and find a high spot to put the front feet on and a low spot for the hind feet.When you are leaving the judge, always run your horse away from the judge and go the length of the ring so that he can get a second look at them moving. Any time you get a second chance, use it wisely.
When the class is called to the ring, never be late. You start to make a bad impression from the start if they have to wait for you.
IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER
1. Eye contact with the judge
2. Show Stick
3. Always on left side of horse
4. Facing your horse when stopped
5. Lead in right hand when moving and lead in left hand when stopped
6. Never lead with two hands
7. Key hole turn