Expert Scott Hassler

Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

I have currently started showing Sporthorses in-hand and had trouble with all my babies and adult horses standing still for the judge. They stand quietly at home. I was wondering how I can cure them of not standing still in the show ring.

I would like to show my thoroughbred colt in one breeding class as a weanling and in future classes as a yearling up. Breeding shows are sparse in my area, so going to watch a few are not an option. Are there any books or tapes I can buy to learn more on showing in hand?

When showing a 2 year old in a bridle, is it proper to take the noseband off? Can you run a lead from both rings of the bit or do you have to use the reins?

For in-hand showing, how do you train for the "Big Trot" that is needed to show off the gait?

What kind of bit and thickness of the bit do you like to use starting out and to show in-hand?

Is there any type of bit I can give my horse that will make him more comfortable and allow him to keep his tongue in?  He currently wears a full cheek snaffle.

I will be presenting my yearling Parabol colt to the ISR/Oldenburg this fall. I've never presented a horse and would like to know what type of bridle and bit to use. I'm guessing a big rubber snaffle and a plain raised bridle.

Questions and Answers

Q: For in-hand showing, how do you train for the "Big Trot" that is needed to show off the gait?

A: To best achieve a Big Trot there are a few suggestions I can make that may be help. Have someone assist, positioned behind the mare and far away, making noise with a whip to "excite the mare, but not scare the mare". Try putting a piece of plastic on the end of the whip. When the mare tries to canter instead of trot, the handler should stop her, back up a few steps, and try to trot again. Keep doing this with consistency until she figures out to trot with a large rhythmic step.

Q: What kind of bit and thickness of the bit do you like to use starting out and to show in-hand?

A: Try one that is soft and explore what the mare likes best, soft is always better!

Q:  Is there any type of bit I can give my horse that will make him more comfortable and allow him to keep his tongue in?  He currently wears a full cheek snaffle.   ( I own -only for 6 months- a 10 year old Swedish Warmblood mix, jumper.  He is a forward horse.  I have chiropractic work done on him every 8 weeks.  He recently had his teeth floated by a professional dentist, who said they were very sharp.  He has always hung his tongue out his right side.  He has gotten better since the float.  If I tug on the bit on the left side, he will suck his tongue back in.  The dentist said it may due to broken cartilage in the back of his tongue.)

A: Unfortunately, tongue problems are usually hard to solve, especially when they have gone on for a long time.  There are a few suggestions I can make.

• Try a drop noseband, sometimes helps because of different pressure.
• Try playing around with current noseband; i.e., make it higher, looser, tighter, etc.
• Sometimes a three jointed snaffle, like a french snaffle, etc. is good to try.

Good luck and I hope you can find a solution. 

Q: I will be presenting my yearling Parabol colt to the ISR/Oldenburg this fall. I've never presented a horse and would like to know what type of bridle and bit to use. I'm guessing a big rubber snaffle and a plain raised bridle.

A: Presenting as a yearling is different than as a foal or an older horse for final approval. Because yearlings are at a growing stage in life, they are not given a score. They are looked at unofficially and branded and given papers. So, it is a very easy process and casual. You may show your yearling in a bridle if you like, also may take him in a halter. 

Q: When showing a 2 year old in a bridle, is it proper to take the noseband off? Can you run a lead from both rings of the bit or do you have to use the reins?

A: You may take the noseband off and you may use either reins or a shank attached to the rings of the bit.

Q: I would like to show my thoroughbred colt in one breeding class as a weanling and in future classes as a yearling up. Breeding shows are sparse in my area, so going to watch a few are not an option. Are there any books or tapes I can buy to learn more on showing in hand?

A: The United States Dressage Federation has a good video on Showing Sporthorses in Hand. You can obtain the video by calling 402-434-8550 or visiting their website at www.usdf.org. The American Hanoverian Society has also produced a good video which can be obtained from 606-255-4141 or www.hanoverian.org.

Q: I have currently started showing Sporthorses in-hand and had trouble with all my babies and adult horses standing still for the judge. They stand quietly at home. I was wondering how I can cure them of not standing still in the show ring.

A: At shows your horses probably become a little nervous or distracted and therefore don't want to stand still. Exposing them to as many new situations as possible will help. You could also have a second person stand in the ring with a whip. While standing, this handler can help keep their attention and interest. The United States Dressage Federation has a good tape on showing in hand. You can order the tape by calling 402-434-8550 or visiting www.usdf.org.