By Lindsay Grice

Q    I’m trying to find the right approach to convince my husband to prepare his gelding to compete in showmanship. It’s an event neither of us know much about. He doesn’t see the point of the class, but I think he’d do rather well in it.

A    It’s not unusual for some people to feel awkward about showmanship. After all, it is the handler’s ability to show a halter horse that is being judged – their poise, efficiency, and confidence is in the spotlight!

Showmanship is an event in which the handler leads his horse through a prescribed pattern consisting of walking, trotting, backing, and pivots on the haunches of varying degrees. The horse needs to remain attentively by the side of the handler while they perform the pattern together, briskly and smoothly, with no visible signs of cueing from the lead shank. In the best presentations, the horse keeps in perfect step with the handler as if dancing while displaying no negative equine facial reactions such as ear pinning or an active mouth.

In a world where, more often than not, horses ignore, “tetherball” around, and step on the feet of their owners, it is refreshing to see a horse respecting his handler. It is a delight to work with a horse that is respectful of my space and mindful of my every move!

Whether or not a horse is to be shown in a showmanship class, I teach the skills to some degree to all the horses I train.   Such respectful horses are more safe and saleable. They also are in the habit of listening closely and yielding to the least pressure – skills of value under saddle.

How Do I Start?
If you would like to train your horse to follow you like his dance partner, he must be able to read and follow your movements clearly. You must have a different body position for every manoeuvre that you wish your horse to perform. Each body position must be clear and distinct and you must move smoothly from one position to the other, giving your horse ample time to interpret your movements. The movements I teach my students are as follows:
•    Turn on the haunches: the handler faces the horse’s shoulders with his shoulders parallel to the horse’s body.
•    Walk forward: the handler faces forward with the horse’s throatlatch level with handler’s shoulder.
•    Back up: the handler stands level with the horse’s nose, facing the horse with his shoulders at a 45-degree angle to the horse’s body.

Practice moving from one position to the other smoothly and efficiently, making each position separate and distinct. You should find yourself relying less on your lead shank to cue your horse. My students who are ready to compete in showmanship can take the halter right off their horses and run, stop, pivot 360 degrees, and back up, in any combination, while their horses remain attached like a magnet at their sides. This can be a fun goal to work towards with your horse, and whatever your riding discipline, basic showmanship training will make your horse a pleasure to be with!

Main article photo: River Bend Designs