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Starting Member
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Last Login: 9/20/2009 7:11:07 PM
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| My 7 year old Quarter Horse mare is almost perfect at home. She is slow, and keeps her head down, and responds to the bit well. But when we get into the show ring, she gets fast (especially at the lope) and raises her head. She doesn't take off with me and gallop around the arena, but she's not like she is at home. I don't get very nervous when I go into the ring, so I don't think that she is fast because I act different. I try to make the same corrections that I do at home, but she doesn't listen to me. I think a stronger bit, or one with more leverage might help me, but she has a sensitive mouth, and doesn't like very harsh bits. Any suggestions? Thanks!
<3 Cora
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Senior Member
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| Are you positive you are not doing anything different? I know I think that sometimes and my trainer will point out that I actually am riding slightly different; but I don't feel it. Just something to think about when you get in the show arena. It could be because your horse is excited and/or nervous just on her own. After all, it is some place DIFFERENT from home with different horses and a different atmosphere. How long have you been showing your horse? Has you horse had any breaks between shows? Could be she just needs to get used to showing and/or the place you show at. A stronger bit is never the answer. More training is. And at the show, you just need to work your horse enough in the warm up arena so she is really listening to you. While her attention could wander once you get in the show arena, the more you have her listening to you before you go in the show pen, the better she'll listen to you when you get there.
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Starting Member
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| Thanks! She was born to a large AQHA breeder, and was shown since she was very young. We show at the same shows a lot, so I know she is not scared of it. Even in the warm-up ring, she listens to me. But I think part of that is because I can school her if I need to. I think she know's that I can't school her as much in the ring. I try to work on her, and not worry about my placing, but its hard to without being disqualified for using two hands, or getting in the way of other riders. Also, are there any exercises that I can do to make her respond to the bit no matter what?
<3 Cora
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 3/14/2010 10:20:08 AM
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| Ummm I don't have any things you could do at home, but that sounds like my mare about a year ago. It might be more work in the warm up arena. I found out my mare was just nervous at shows with people and other horses since no one will ride with me at my barn of two other horses. I suggest maybe walking her around when you get there, and lunge her in the english classes or whenever you have time. I do during english classes, saddle up and warm up then so my mare still knows she's working.
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Starting Member
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She just gets exicted maybe to be somewhere new or with all the horses and people don't worry
GO HORSES AND BFFLS!!! MUSIC ROCKS 
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| My mare does that too. She sometimes has a tendency to try to "race" the other horses in the arena during Western Pleasure at larger shows (maybe it has something to do with the numerous racing QHs that are in her bllodlines...who knows). If she performed in the show ring like she did in the warm-up arena, we would be winning blues every time!
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New Member
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| You've gotten some great advice from the above ^ posts. But something I would like to mention is that your horse may want to be in front. Is your mare high in the pecking order? she may feel like she should be infront and incharge. If you decied this is the case, I would try to secure a place infront, or use a shorter rain on her.
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- Diamond- THE MOST AMAZING HORSE EVER.
Dressage - A way of life, not just riding. -
- Horses are truly womens bestfriend; Men can have dogs.
SHOW JUMPING - Just get over it
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Junior Member
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kewpalace's answer was perfect. Also, take your mare to several shows that you're not entered in and just walk her around so she gets used to the hubbub and commotion without the stress of showing.
   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life -John 3:36
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Junior Member
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| I'm inclined to agree with the above posters. I harsher bit is not the answer. Also, if you can, enter one class just for schooling purposes. Be prepared to get disqualified, but it will sure help your horse. Also, try to schedule a time to ride with someone, so your horse can get used to riding with other horses. you could even try a trail ride. Good luck!
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Junior Member
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some local schooling shows allow riders to participate in the show but not be judged. I would check around to see if you have that option at any of the shows you go to. then you can ride however you want/need because you aren't being judged, but your horse is still getting the experience of a real show. My horse acted the same way at the first (and so far only) show he's been to. He's an OTTB though so I think he was having flashbacks and thinking he was supposed to race everyone. He's always very calm at home and doesn't mind others passing us, but show day was COMPLETELY different! Good luck!
 
I'd sooner have that horse happy than go to heaven." -- Velvet Brown in NATIONAL VELVET.
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