Showing Stallions

[thoroughlybred1]

Has anyone got any advice on showing a stallion? It will be his first show, and my first time of showing an entire - i know absolutely nothing about showing entires

I'm looking at a local youngstock class to give him experience so he will be in mixed company. He is kept on a yard with other mares in sight, and generally i can lead him through it with no bother, and before taking him out in public, we can "mock" a show at home just to check he's not going get out of control and leap aboard any fruity mares (although strange place, strange horses i hope he doesnt let me down on the day.....)

Obviously he'll be in a stallion bridle, and i believe he also has to wear a stallion disc (what are these and where do you get them from?)

Any tips on keeping his attention on me and not any sexy smells - i was told bromide is a definate no no! LOL

At home he is generally well behaved, but due to the way he was kept before i got him (in total isolation) he is turned out alone so finds close proximity to any horse exciting. Once, i wasnt quick enough to keep him moving positively past a gelding tied up near by, and he managed to plant himself, stand upright, reverse and deliver a double barrel into him.......is there anything stopping us taking him into the ring with 2 handlers just in case?

Grateful for any advice/tips

[Daffy Dilly]

I would shove a red ribbon in his tail - it implies he kicks but will make people think twice and keep their distance.

As he gets excited in close proximity of other horses I would be inclined to not enter the ring, especially if they are small or relatively full. Give him a show or two to get used to the atmosphere before actually entering a class.

It is also worth ringing the secretary and double checking all stallion handling stuff with them. I think that if you need to take two handlers in, it will be requested that he leave the ring as that makes it seem as though you expect there to be problems.

[Sasca]

A red ribbon does say that the horse kicks but it can give the judge and fellow competitors a bit of a negative image of your pony. If it is just because he is a stallion then you could put a different coloured ribbon in which tells people he is a stallion which the judge will know anyway so no negative images. I think blue ribbons mean stallion but you should double check. If it is because you think he will kick then go for the red. green means young or begginner horse so you could also go for that one.

I used to use a red ribbon in the showjumping ring but i wouldn't wear it in the show ring as you want to show the judge how wonderful your pony is. good luck and have fun. I hope that made sense.

[Daffy Dilly]

I realise that it does present a negative image of the horse, but I would be furious if a known kicker, not marked as such, kicked my horse in the ring. I would also be devastated if, because people were not aware to make the effort to keep their distance, my horse kicked somebody else.

It's not always possible to keep a safe distance away in the ring at local level especially, which is why I think it's essential that the ribbons are used in the case of kickers. There is a definate kicker on our yard, and as much as I like her owner, I will put in a complaint to the secretary of the shows if the mare is not shown with a red ribbon.

[suneanarab]

it's always possible to keep your distance from the horse in front of you no matter how small the ring is. i hate it when people come right up the backside of my horses no matter what sex they are. everyone should have respect for the horse in front no matter what. as for putting ribbons in his tail, there wouldn't be any need if people would give him respect as a horse first anyway and keep their distance.

though it is likely that your boy is going to let everyone know he's entire anyway. no matter how much work you do at home they will usually shout their heads off and draw (get his you know what out). the best thing to do is keep your distance from the horse in front and tell the person behind you to give you plenty of room. if they, or their horse get kicked after that it's their own fault.