I want to show my horse, BUT...

[TamaraC]

I don't think I ever could!! He gets too upset and distressed too easily, rears when not in familiar surroundings, spins around, and is hard to handle then. He also KICKS at other horses while under saddle!! Even at the ones he gets along wtih...I went riding with my friend, who was riding one of Dream's (my horse's) friends (Gravey) And while we were stopped, and posed for a picture, side by side, he just out of no where pinned his ears and swung his rump to kick! And he walks backwards and i can't get him to go forward when he does this and has it in his head that he's going to back up to a horse in order to kick it.
It's so frustrating - how can you ever show with a horse like that? I know i'm not going to any big shows with him but want to do some local schooling (walk/trot, possible walk/trot/canter) with him for fun.
Anyone else have similar problems, and how have you over come them?

[S_F_S]

that would be something of a problem!

Most of showing judging goes towards the horses manners and training (particulary at local level where confirmation is few and far between! ) - so you could be stumped there!

At a little local show you mgiht be alright to try him out- see how he copes with the surroundings. Pick a really quiet show- or just go along to a small dressage show (no children galloping around...) to see how he feels?

You could try a red ribbon on his tail to signify he's a kicker- although people rarely take notice of it. I put a green one (young horse) in a particulary nervous TB mares tail, chose a very quiet show, dressage only- warming up in quiet corner of the field- but STILL some little brats came galloping up behind her and passed one either side. Needless to say she wasn't best impressed!

Hope this helps;

Emma.

[horsefreak]

I agree with Scraffie.

A red ribbon in his tail will warn other riders not to come near!!

It sounds like your horse is a bit insecure with other horses, and that's why he threatends to kick ect - trying to show the others who is boss, but he actually doesn't want to be boss himself!!

You must try and get him used to one horse that will go out with him - an old pony/schoolmaster may do the trick, who is likely to ignore his threats!! Just get him used to the same area - he MUST feel safe in it to venture further afield - if he does not feel safe in where he is now, he will definatly not be at a show!! Schooling on hacks (half halts, leg yeilds ect) will take his mind off the things worrying him, and he will concentrate more on you - pick a quiet show, like Scraffie said a dressage one, and just hack around the warm up area, you don't even have to compete - but try and get him listening to what you want, and always praise him to make him feel safer.

It will take time and patience, but I'm sure you will get there in the end! Good luck!

I hope this helps!

Ax

[TamaraC]

Thanks guys, I will try that. I am aiming him towards a basic dressage/ and or a pony club riding test. The dressage requires canter, which i could just see him hurling me off when he's so excited lol
I am going to be taking him to my instructors barn for lessons as well. He has started to settle down a lot where we are now. He will still pin his ears and try to kick, even if i am on, which most people find strange. I know i should ride him with others, but i just don't have the confidence to correct him if he should try.

Thanks for your advice.

[Tootsie4U]

Is it possible to trailer him to a few local shows just for him to see the sights and be around strange horses? Take a year to do this, try to get him out once a month. He might settle when he gets used to the routine.

[taylor]

A friend of mine had a really skitish horsie but manged to show her, she started out just by doing best in show, as it involved no cantering around with other horses and it gets them used to being good with others.
The red ribbin is a really good idea everyone at little shows knows what it means.
I know it may sound patronising but maybe more schooling and working with your horse to get him used to others being around and maybe a change of feed to something calming, i've found it makes a mad mad differance!!
Give best in show a try, and if you win you don't even have to do a lap of honour my friend didn't she just used to get off and take a bowe!! very classy!!
;)