Input for working with large horse instructor/trainer

[mydaddysjag]

I decided that we aren't currently using my all around show gelding to his full potential, and decided that I am going to get the help of a instructor for our in hand classes. I still need to find someone who can help me out with driving, but I should be set in hand. The instructor is a woman I showed stock horses with in 4H when I was younger, and she also showed, and continues to show AQHA shows. I didnt know and found out when I mentioned needing showmanship lessons that she actually is going to be the new instructor/trainer at the barn where we board, so it will be convenient. I was never great at showmanship or patterns, so shes going to be giving me lessons for showmanship, and work with us on in hand obstacle. Im hoping that with a trainers help I can get to where I want to be in 2011. Having a baby it's hard to get to the barn when it's so cold outside, so we're going to arrange it so she round pens my horse on the days Im not available.

One question I have is what would you pay for someone per session to roundpen your horse for 20 minutes? The horse is easy going, no hassle.

What are the differences in miniature showmanship versus AQHA showmanship? I assume its very similar, but think I saw the minis only do 1/2's, not 1/4's like stock horses, is that still correct?

Are there any videos online that I can point her towards to see a good mini showmanship class?

 

[disneyhorse]

Roundpen for 20 minutes? Probably $5-10.

 

[Candi]

I decided that we aren't currently using my all around show gelding to his full potential, and decided that I am going to get the help of a instructor for our in hand classes. I still need to find someone who can help me out with driving, but I should be set in hand. The instructor is a woman I showed stock horses with in 4H when I was younger, and she also showed, and continues to show AQHA shows. I didnt know and found out when I mentioned needing showmanship lessons that she actually is going to be the new instructor/trainer at the barn where we board, so it will be convenient. I was never great at showmanship or patterns, so shes going to be giving me lessons for showmanship, and work with us on in hand obstacle. Im hoping that with a trainers help I can get to where I want to be in 2011. Having a baby it's hard to get to the barn when it's so cold outside, so we're going to arrange it so she round pens my horse on the days Im not available.

One question I have is what would you pay for someone per session to roundpen your horse for 20 minutes? The horse is easy going, no hassle.

What are the differences in miniature showmanship versus AQHA showmanship? I assume its very similar, but think I saw the minis only do 1/2's, not 1/4's like stock horses, is that still correct?

Are there any videos online that I can point her towards to see a good mini showmanship class?

Well (I) wouldn't pay someone, but that's because I'm a FT trainer and judge and (I) get the $ That being said- here's what we charge clients.

Keeping in mind that I make (on average $35-40/hr) and it doesn't matter if that's grooming, exercising, riding, carts, etc... We have regular clients that want a horse simply ground-exercised and I often try to "steer" them to use our caretakers or assistant trainers as they're cheaper.

I would charge $25 to exercise a horse for 15-20 min in the roundpen/lunging/etc. Keep in mind that a responsible horse person will groom before and after - adding time. And, that as trainers we schedule our time - not what we're doing with it. 30 minutes is 30 minutes - regardless of what you're doing with that time.

Showmanship doesn't matter so much WHAT animal you're showing - but what SHOW you're showing in. Meaning, in most all stock breeds (AQHA, PtHA, PHBA, ABRA) etc... you always use 1/4 system. AMHR, etc you'll do 1/2 system.

 

[wildoak]

AMHR uses the 1/2 system, AMHA uses the 1/4 so it will depend on which you are showing. Differences otherwise are mostly logistic.

You are reaching down instead of up, when you change positions your hand must get under/around his head - not something you have to consider with a 15 hand horse.

You might be able to find someone at the barn who can exercise your horse for less money, and make use of your trainers time for schooling. Seems like most barns have boarders willing to make a little extra money helping out.

Jan

 

[mydaddysjag]

Unfortionately where I board is a small fairly private stable. There arent stable workers, assistants, or anything like that. When I was younger there were a few of us that showed 4H and open shows, and the barn owner or parents pretty much did everything. The barn owner is getting older (shes in her mid 60's) and is having some issues with her knee so isnt able to give lessons as much anymore, so she is having the woman I used to show with start giving lessons and conditioning some horses. Most of the girls I showed with in 4H still show, but their in college and dont have as much time to work their horses. From what I understand the woman will also be riding some horses through the week when the owners are away at school. Not so much schooling them, just keeping them ridden. She's just starting out as a trainer/instructor so doesn't have her won barn to work out of. Im not completely sure what she'll charge for lessons yet, I know in my area established instructors who show and train for the AQHA level are charging around $35 for an hour. We'll see how everything works out.

I have an AMHR horse, so good to know he'll use the half system. Thanks guys.

 

[wcr]

Any lessons that you learn and can apply is worth the money. One thing people don't realize is that in hand obstacle is showmanship with obstacles to get through. It is not enough to win a class just by getting your horse through the obstacles cleanly. This is where the showmanship comes in. By doing it with the precision of showmanship, knowing how to approach the obstacle in the cleanest, most efficient way to get through the obstacle without mistakes is what separates the men from the boys as they say.

 

[Sandee]

Halter obstacle is more about making a smooth, clean pass through the pattern. Please don't misunderstand that you should stop and "pose" at the judge like showmanship. That really irks me. Think of it like learning to dance for the first time. You learn step, step, step but you don't "dance" that way. So the obstacle class is: learn to perform this obstacle and this one, etc. then connect them together smoothly.

It helps if your horse is very attentive to you. I've had a judge tell me how impressed he was that my horse "went along so willingly" thru the course. So staying together not pulling the horse along nor having the horse ahead of you is good.

 

[Candi]

Any lessons that you learn and can apply is worth the money. One thing people don't realize is that in hand obstacle is showmanship with obstacles to get through. It is not enough to win a class just by getting your horse through the obstacles cleanly. This is where the showmanship comes in. By doing it with the precision of showmanship, knowing how to approach the obstacle in the cleanest, most efficient way to get through the obstacle without mistakes is what separates the men from the boys as they say.

As a carded judge and trainer I agree w/this 100%. I can always tell exhibitors that don't do SMS that compete in trail. Sloppy - arms/body moving all over, etc. Now no "posing" and I don't want an exhibitor quite as "straight or rigid" as SMS, but still thinking of it like SMS with obstacles will get you pinned for sure!

Good 6-10" of lead bet you and the horse - moving at your shoulder consistently throughout entire pattern. Low, relaxed headset. No rushing -steady pace.