In-hand schooling, Richard Hinrichs

[lolaelsa]

Does anyone know where to buy the video of this. I've found the book on amazon.co.uk but want the vid also.

Doing in-hand schooling - would this assist someone doing in-hand showing. Went to a show yesterday and was surprised at the way some of the horses were handled, especially the youngsters and the stallions - but then they were very excited. Is it possible to show a young stallion in-hand on a loose rein! Or am I being daft. I'd like to find info/someone who can do this.

[Aly]

It is possible to show a horse in hand on a loose rein, I do so with my gelding, Ok granted he is an older horse, and a gelding but I cant see why a young stallion can't after all my horse is a purebred Arabian, and we all know how loopy they can be.

The main thing is that you have to have the horses attention on you at all times. If you can teach your horse that, then it is easy as he will read your signals and body language as to what you expect him to do. A stallion is no different to a gelding, with the exception that he has a whole pile of hormones racing around him, and his mind is more likely to stray to all those preety mares out there. If you can teach him that when he is with you then his attention must be on you, then a stallion is often as easy to handle as any other horse.
The main thing is never take the stallion for granted, always be ready for action, and try not to let his attention stray from you. Educate him well at home before taking him out. A friend of mine has a stallion which she shows in hand and under saddle. He is an angel when he is out at a show simply because he is attentive to her and can ignore the chaos and smells around him. Get that and you have it made.

[Aly]

P.S. In hand schooling not only will help with showing, it is a wonderful way of helping the rider and horse under saddle as well. Confirmation of lateral movements, collection etc. can all be improved in hand and it is a wonderful way to hang out with your horse.

[Maria]

Hi

Try Weatherby Allens or the BHS Bookshop - website addresses below:

www.weatherbys-allen.com

www.britishhorse.com

Maria

[Mehitabel]

the problem with stallions on a loose rein at a show is that you never know how well behaved the horse next to you is! our boys are good at home, but the atmosphere at a show is electric, and a lot of people don't educate their horses as well as might be desirable! the first 3 shows we took countryman to (he's rising 5 now) as a 2 year old, he was perfectly well behaved, but in each class, another colt got loose and kicked him. bad luck, yes, but it shows that you need to keep a really close eye on them. the pleasantest pony in the world can get overexcited and forget his manners, and young stallions are just finding out about hormones and girls, so are particularly prone to it.
when our foundation stallion was doing inhand (he retired last year), he'd sneakily wind up the pony next to him by snorting and making faces, and then as soon as the pony reacted by squealing or kicking, he'd put on his innocent face and pretend it was nothing to do with him! he got quite notorious for it... and at home, he was the sweetest thing you could imagine.