Opinions Please!!

[Loren&Rocky]

So, I am going to start Loren in Lead line. I am going to take Slickers because he has been shown before (No in lead line, but still) and so I am getting my tack together. First of all, the black saddle or the brown? I am leaning toward the brown. Also, should I go with the "Over the horn" Stirrups or let his legs hang? I am going with a halter under the head stall, but am going to get a better one. I am going to make matching vests for me and Loren. we will be so cute!!

So, the saddles and stirup thing is what I need to know about most. And the rope too. Should I keep it on? Any other suggestions are welcome also.

Trail Hoss Slick (Black without stirup things)

Black Saddle with stirups

Brown Saddle without

Brown Saddle with

And can't leave out Rocky!!

 

[Reble]

I have know suggestions, do not know enough of showing with children.

But lovely pictures, you should but the 2nd one in the equine contest.

Loren is such an adorable little cowboy. He is just made to ride. Wait till he gets older.

Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed them.

: :aktion033: :aktion033: :aktion033:

:saludando:

 

[Jess P]

I like the black saddle without the brown stirrups.

 

[RENMACMINIS]

I vote Brown saddle with the kiddy stirrups.

 

[Loren&Rocky]

I want him to be safe. So, maybe the stirups are a good ida, although I don't like the look. I wish they stirups on the saddle went up further. What do other people do about short legged kids??

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]The brown saddle fits slick better. Use the kiddy stirups. Leadline is all about safety too.... I would ditch the vest tho because it is too big, let him show in his shirt sleeves and jeans will make a more poilished picture.. If you could find a nice pair of baby chaps that would be cool. The bridle is a little to low in his mouth. They are just toooooooo adorable![/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[Marty]

Brown saddle.

Remove the rope. Try not to do the "cowboy thing"

No over the saddle stirrups. Can you see how big they are? ?That's a danger. His whole foot can slide through them. Get a saddle that fits the horse and the child so there is no need for them. They are very cheap and you might find one on the sales board. That saddle is just way too big for him; he's swimming in it.

You bridle the horse first.

Then, you take a show halter and that goes over the bridle.

You bring your reins up through that to his hands.

Look for a western type mini show halter

Never tie a knot in the reins.

Teach him how to properly hold them and not to drop them.

Be sure you teach him how to really ride properly and not just yank him around left and right. He knows how I'll betcha.

The hat needs to fit and be level and not cocked back on his little head.

Teach him to sit up properly, no slouching, tell him "shoulders wide" but not stiff and to relax

Ask him not to twist his body as in picture #1, sit him straight, eyes forward.

The horse looks great and he is so adorable. You guys will look wonderful.

Are you nervous?

Of course!

It's fun!!!!!!!!!

 

[Loren&Rocky]

I am goint to MAKE us matching vests. They will fit. I got the material already. The color matches the saddle pad.

The vest he has on in these is just a costume and he wanted to wear it today. :bgrin

The stirups have a cover and his foot can't slip through. We use them a lot actually.

I am not going to preasure Loren too much about his horsemanship. He is only just 3. I will not tie the reins at the show and will work on Loren holding them. I tied them for the pictures to keep his head up. I kind of just want him to experience the show thing and not put a lot of demands on him right now.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]They do make an 8 inch saddle but that will be a waste of your money. He will out grow it by next year. The kiddy stirups you have are fine because they have fenders on the fronts so his feet wont slide thru. You can leave the lariat I have seen that at the shows also. Matching vests will be cute. If you can stuff some toilet paper in the rim of his hat and perch it on the top flat it would be better. You might want to get a little tie. At the shows they do not wear a halter and a bridle. You clip your lead rein onto the ring of the bit or to the curb under neath. I would try to bring the sides of that bridle up a bit.[/SIZE]

Relax anad have fun. it is good to teach him how to hold the reins properly and as Marty said to sit straight and SMILE at the judges .....they love sweet faces that look like they are having fun. They will ask Loren things like whats your horses name.... do you know how old he is.... they may point to the saddle or bridle and ask if they know what that is if the are old enough to carry on a conversation. Somethimes I have heard them just ask....Do you love your horse?. They do try to make the kids relax and have fun.

Lyn

 

[xxs]

Oh isn't he the cutest little cowpoke!! Slick makes a good looking mount too!

JMO but the bridle color should match the saddle..so, if you don't have a brown bridle, I would go with the black. I think Loren sits him fine without the stirrups, but for safety sake, you might want the horn thingie...are there any rules about stirrups?

Marty is right about the saddle being too large for the horse, but sometimes you have to make do.

I love your bridle, by the way. We had one for our ponies just like it in the 60's..my dad cut it down from a big horse parade bridle. It looks real sharp on Slick

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=18pt]Yes the bridle and saddle color should match... in my vision they look the same color but some of my rods and cones are gone so I cant tell colors well. Judges would rather see the kiddy stirrups than none. also the breast colar overpowers the horse. I would leave it off. Are we driving you crazy yet?[/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[CMR]

Helmet???

 

[Loren&Rocky]

Helmet???

Right!! Another good question. When we go out Loren wears his helmet. In a show situation, he should also wear one, but it does not match with a western cowboy theme. How much does that matter?

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Depends on the show. 4H open shows have rules that you must wear a helmet . At natonals no one wore a helmet unless they were hunt seat. They do make western hats with the helmets inside. My daughter used to have one.[/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[Loren&Rocky]

I have know suggestions, do not know enough of showing with children.

But lovely pictures, you should but the 2nd one in the equine contest.

Loren is such an adorable little cowboy. He is just made to ride. Wait till he gets older.

Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed them.

: :aktion033: :aktion033: :aktion033:

:saludando:

What is the name or the link for that horse photo contest place everyone posts on? They get voted on and all that?

 

[Reble]

http://equusite.com/

Let me know, I will vote 10/10

Good Luck

 

[Loren&Rocky]

Thank you! I entered the 2nd one. His facial expression is just tooo cute!!!! I will let you all know when his picture comes up!! :aktion033:

 

[keeperofthehorses]

Oh heck... That's just the cutest thing I've ever seen. I'm so glad I'm not a judge; I'd never be able to place those little cuties.

One thing that catches my eye is that the noseband of the halter drops down too low and looks 'messy'. I also vote for a helmet. Someone has to change the no-helmet trend, right?

:

Where did you find the itty bitty saddle pad? I have to fold up a navajo blanket to make one that fits the ponies right.

 

[crponies]

At the camp where I've worked we ride western and everyone is required to wear a helmet. I think cowboys need to be less "macho" or whatever their problem is and snap on a helmet!

 

[Marty]

These are the only pics of my leadliners that I have avaliable at the moment. If I can find more, I'll add to this. Leadline is very serious when we showed and the competition was always very ruff out there. Just be sure you keep saying that he is doing great and be encouraging! The matching vests are great. You are a team and should look like one. .

Ok these next ones are not in leadline. The boys showed in walk trot at 5 & 6 years old.

Our pony saddle was 10" that we used just on the pony. You maybe able to see that these saddles were 12" and did come with tapaderos too that we ripped off and replaced with leather stirrups to fit. Their black chaps I believe came from State Line Tack if I'm not mistaken and also I think the youth hats. Heck, it's been many years. They had many outfits and back then in their show wardrobe & at the huge shows they wore tuxedo shirts with glitzy bow ties and vests. Nothing cowboyish here. Just go have fun. That's what it's really all about.