What to do with Midas (show wise)

[mydaddysjag]

Due to a lot of things this year (moving, getting engaged, illness, etc.) I didn't do much of anything with my horses except let them be fat and sassy, and well, Midas got some manners problems from not being worked with as much as he had been. He has such a big heart, but you have to work with him constantly. 1 week turned out being a horse and he will test you until you show him who is boss mare again. I'm slowly going to get Midas back into shape and fixing hi manners, as I want to show next year since I missed it terribly this year. Midas was pretty competitive in 4H halter, but I justify it to myself as it only being 4H and not the type of competition I will have at other open shows or rated shows. Well now Im a bit too old for 4H, however my old trainer for Midas is over 5 hours away, so I don't really have anyone to teach me the ropes of mini shows. Not to mention, I cant exactly afford to pay someone to show my horse for me at the moment.

I really liked showing halter, but I feel like Midas wouldn't do very well outside of 4H. I would say his biggest flaws are he is long backed, and his neck is "funny". I honestly don't know if it is worth showing him in halter or not, maybe fair shows. Then again, I may possibly just be scared. I just don't want to do a lot of work conditioning him trying to get him to be something he will never be, when we could be working towards something he could excel in.

I'll upload some pictures in a little bit and you can let me know if it would be worth trying to condition him for halter, or if I should try to take him in a different direction.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Here is Midas late in his yearling year (October 2007) being shown at our state 4h show. I know its not the best conformation pic, but its the best picture I have of him in show shape.

The picture is by eric hardesty and I do have permission to post it.

Here is Midas now, remember, no conditioning for the past year

 

[targetsmom]

My feeling is if that you want to show him, go for it! There are so many classes and so many different club shows out there, it may just take some effort to find the perfect match. We have a 4 year old mare that we thought we would never show because she can't compete at halter, and guess what? We trained her to drive, jump (hunter) and do trail, and started showing her late this year. At three shows she won firsts in driving, trail, and hunter and we all had fun doing it. Everyone just loves her, even if she doesn't "halter". I would suggest that you look for a club in your area that offers beginner or novice classes and find someone to mentor you. From the looks of the show photo, I think you two could do very well in showmanship, and I'll bet you could find other classes that you and Midas could do too. Of course, you could still show him in halter classes and see how he does. He looks very pretty in show shape and all made up!

 

[Taylor Jo]

My feeling is if that you want to show him, go for it! There are so many classes and so many different club shows out there, it may just take some effort to find the perfect match. We have a 4 year old mare that we thought we would never show because she can't compete at halter, and guess what? We trained her to drive, jump (hunter) and do trail, and started showing her late this year. At three shows she won firsts in driving, trail, and hunter and we all had fun doing it. Everyone just loves her, even if she doesn't "halter". I would suggest that you look for a club in your area that offers beginner or novice classes and find someone to mentor you. From the looks of the show photo, I think you two could do very well in showmanship, and I'll bet you could find other classes that you and Midas could do too. Of course, you could still show him in halter classes and see how he does. He looks very pretty in show shape and all made up!

I agree 100% with Targetsmom. Don't sell you or your horse short. There are many types of horses at shows and you can do many things. You'd be amazed at all the different horses in halter and the horses that win. You have soooo many options that are open to you, so don't let things get in the way and stop you. Midas is a beautiful horse, get him back into shape and you'll do well in what ever you choose to do it in. He does look very pretty in show shape. Ask lots of questions, go to shows, get in a club, go to the classes, make friends, even friends that may not be your age-you'll learn something from everyone, be like a sponge and soak the knowledge up. But, most of all, HAVE FUN!!!TJ

 

[mydaddysjag]

Thank you for the compliments. Im in the process of looking for a club thats somewhat close to me, and tryi8ng to find some shows for next year.

 

[EAD Minis]

I really like him, love his color. Nice face on him to. Good luck with your decision

 

[EAD Minis]

I really like him, love his color. Nice face on him to. Good luck with your decision

 

[mydaddysjag]

Thank you. If anyone else has any input and dosen't want to post openly on the forum, feel free to PM me. I am considering purchasing another horse, and the one I am looking into is would be shown as a senior gelding, same as Midas, so I don't want to get another senior gelding if Midas has a chance of possibly doing alright, since I cant show two horses in 1 class.

 

[targetsmom]

Actually, you usually CAN show two horses in one class if you are doing individual performance events such as hunter, jumper, or halter obstacle. I do it all the time. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX - there is lots more to showing than halter!!!

 

[mydaddysjag]

Well, Midas does seem to like to jump, he's been freely clearing 2 step mounting blocks since his yearling year. NO, I did not encourage this, or try to get him to do it. I free lounge in a large horse indoor arena, and he would go out of his way to jump the mounting block every time. Are there any good videos or books on teaching a mini to jump in hand. I realize I will need supportive boots, is a joint supplement something that he should be on for preventative measures if I train him to jump. Im also going to start researching how to teach him how to long line, I've been told it is a great way to exercise them, and helps develop certain muscles.

 

[targetsmom]

Well, I do happen to know of a couple of books, although you might also want to do a search on here for "jumping" or whatever. I did not write the books but another forum member did and I loved both. They are:

Training Miniature Performance Horses: A Comprehensive Guide to Hunter, Jumper & Halter Obstacle

and

Showmanship with Miniature Horses

Both are by Jennifer Alisia Garrett (now Bryant) and available from Small Horse Press at www.smallhorse.com.

I have trained several of ours to jump (up to 30" only) and, other than going slowly and making sure the ground is not hard, have not done anything special.