Horsemaster Project: Showmanship Training Tips

[@jamiebittlesmith5431]

Thank you! Great breakdown of all the techniques!

[@AH_BarrelRacingOfficial]

Very helpful!

[@juliegenis8058]

What a gorgeous horse!

[@Elizabac]

this is the best showmanship video ive seen! so helpful! thank you!

[@Delaney_Macroberts]

Wow! This was soo helpful this is my first year doing showmanship and my horse has also never done it thank you so much!

[@wannabemuleskinner]

Great video I have never done showmanship and want to do it to introduce my green horse to showing. It's been hard finding a clear concise video of what's required. Thanks!

[@christensenem]

Very nice, Kali. This is at a great teaching level for anyone! My two daughters, who are just getting started showing for 4-H, will enjoy this. Thank you!

[@cmr6988]

I have saved this to my account and plan to show it at a horse leader's meeting as well as my own 4-H meetings.

[@liddykey1856]

WOW this video is exactly what I needed you are such a amazing girl thank you so so so very much!

[@cmr6988]

Great video Kali! Very complete, clear and concise! Thank you!

[@NadineLynch10]

Thank you for the awesome video, having my first horse showmanship class in Johannesburg South Africa on the 8 July 2016. This will be my first ever proper horse show ever, I mainly do English dressage but this will be the first time I'll be entering into the western side of horse riding

[@kalismolen7131]

Good luck!

[@KadieJoy]

Excellent Lesson!! Thank you so much.🎉

[@sophiaricci5561]

Thank you!! This really helps and you have shown very accurate instructions.

[@EquusStories]

Very informative, Kali!

[@joancoble8065]

Very good for an absolute beginner like me!

[@ashleyruedy8670]

i love your video it helped me so much when i trained my horse for the county fair

[@BlueAngels1]

Thank you Kali making this video it will help me and my horse a lot since I am new doing the showmanship I hope that I will practice a lot until October because there is a showmanship competition that I'm plaining on going.....my horse is a American Quarter Horse

[@alysonemery5287]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@hallejohnson7858]

Great video! I have a show coming up this weekend and this really helped thank you.

[@kalismolen7131]

+Halle Johnson Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@hospitalready5038]

Nice job explaining!

[@frugalfamilyfarmhouse1812]

this was a great refresher for my beginner son

[@kalismolen7131]

Glad to hear!

[@rainbowwolf4720]

My question: While the judge is inspecting the horse and comes and stands directly infront of the horse, what side do you stand on or do you hold your last position till the judge moves from one side or the other? This is a great video. Thank you for making it and sharing. This will be my first yr showing halter.

[@kalismolen7131]

Hi there! Glad you liked the video :) When the judge stands directly in front, you stay in the last position you were in until the judge moves. Just be sure to move right away if the judge walks towards you. Hope showing goes well!

[@cant_pick]

Great video!

[@LifeWithHorsesTV]

Loved this video!! Thank you so much! I hope you make some more videos! :)

[@kalismolen7131]

What would you like videos on?

[@lisasmith9311]

Beautiful horse

[@lauraallen3793]

This saved me. Thank you!

[@pstummerms]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@oliviarued5570]

this was so helpful!! Thank you!

[@BlackbriarEq]

One note on Arabians - the squared front and split hind stance is appropriate for halter, but not for showmanship. Arabians and Half-Arabians presented in showmanship should be shown either square, as seen in stock breeds, or open, as seen in Thoroughbred/Warmblood conformation photos.

[@lydonphillip4842]

👍👍👍 more !!!!!

[@DieHardThunderhead96]

Great video! This helped me a lot to refine my showmanship routines. But I do have a question, just to clarify something. Should you, or should you not look back at the judge after you walk/jog away from inspection? I notice a lot of people don't do it but I was taught to look back after inspection. I was wondering if this was correct or not? Hope to hear back soon!

[@kalismolen7131]

+Radioactive Bunny Hello! I'm glad the video helped. You should look back at the judge ONE time. Some people look back every 6 strides, but this is no longer necessary. Looking back once and nodding slightly is polite, but not excessive. Good luck!

[@DieHardThunderhead96]

Kali Smolen Great thank you so much!!!!

[@pocketfulofbunnies990]

Awesome video! I have a question, do all horses except Arabians square up/set up like you showed?

[@kalismolen7131]

I know that Arabians set up differently. I have only showed stock breeds (Quarter/ Paint). As such, you would want to check for other breeds (Morgans, Tennessee Walkers, Saddlebreds, etc.)

[@meganpahl2160]

Can i please ask if there is sone reason why all shows i have seen, the horses head us akways down? If the horse does all moves correctly, and being viewed as beauty as well as dicipline, ate you allowed to alliw there head up? I recently learned that a new horse of mine wone the AHA twice and im currently getting her orined for the show. Figured i wpuld let her do what she loves! I do all of these shown as grownwork now so would love any advice

[@kalismolen7131]

The horse should carry their head in a way that is normal for their configuration. My horse carried his head down because he is a quarter horse. But other breeds can be shown with their heads higher. The horse just shouldn't be raising their head up high and in protest. Does that make sense?

[@meganpahl2160]

It makes perfect sense! I was curious because I would like to get my daughter and her pure Arab involved. You know arabs are known for that long neck and it would be a shame if she had to hold it low

[@schleichhorses2513]

Can you do a video on how to remember the pattern

[@kalismolen7131]

Some tips for how to remember: I always write it down or have a copy. And then, I literally run it by myself. Not with my horse. I set up cones or draw marks in dirt. And then, I run my body through it several times. I say it out loud to someone or to myself too. And then, I usually watch a couple people if I can. When you are running it, think about where you will ask your horse to do things. When do you need to ask to trot. Do you need to make sure you line his/her hip up with the judge? When do you need to ask to stop so that you don't get too close or too far from the judge? Usually thinking about all of these things on my own before practicing anything with my horse helps.

[@Horsesandcheerlife]

hi! i have a question for you. i have taught my horse pressure and release from a rope halter with knots on the nose band, so when i put the chain going through to the side of the halter he gets really confused because of the uneven pressure that is created. do i have to have the chain on the side of him halter or can i attach it from the bottom thanks:)

[@kalismolen7131]

+Ella dziedzic Hi Ella, I actually began my horse with a rope halter too. When using a chain, it is best to attach it from the side (that is what is most accepted). While this does create some uneven pressure, it is important not to rely on the chain. I only use the chain to tap forward or reprimand as needed. The more you practice showmanship, the more your horse will move by your body language alone. I still practice with a rope halter; at the end of the practice, I tie the rope around my horse's neck and try halter-less showmanship. If you can get good at this, the halter and chain will essentially be decorations.

[@codysauder3163]

Hi Kali, I have a question for you. Would you know of any KZbin videos that, would talk about what a guy should wear for Showmanship? Thanks in advance.

[@kalismolen7131]

Hi Cody! I don't know of any videos. However, if you google search "men horse showmanship," you can see pictures of what a lot of guys wear. Or you can youtube search, "AQHA showmanship," and watch videos of what AQHA showmen wear. Hope that helps! Sorry I didn't respond sooner.

[@emmastutsman9499]

This video really helped but my horse can't seem to pick up on the trotting part no matter what! Do you have any tips/suggestions on anything that may help? Thank you.

[@kalismolen7131]

Hi Emma! So you are having trouble going from a walk to a trot? I would say that your horse has to learn that you are really in charge. Be very assertive at first. I would recommend using a dressage whip. When you cue to trot, and he doesn't, hit his shoulder with the dressage whip. It is important that you don't look at your horse, however. Always look ahead, and expect your horse to move forward. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@bleuidcowgirl]

We used an apple and rolled it on the ground in front of her. She thinks she is "chasing the apple". Once she trots a couple of strides we stop and praise her. The further she trots to chase Apple she will eventually get the apple. Using the end of the lead line would make her more frightened and tense instead of a nice even strides. Good Luck Brenda Elder Training and Instructor

[@its_justlexie]

was the place at 11:38 midland Fair grounds in MI

[@kalismolen7131]

yes!

[@blulangford1064]

How do you get your horse to walk with you, because when I lead my horse I have to pull him the hole way. HELP. PLEASE!!!💙

[@kalismolen7131]

First of all, make sure that you are not looking at your horse. You need to expect your horse to walk with you. Start by using a chain underneath your horse's chin to encourage forward motion. Also, always walk along side your horse- not in front of him. Remember to always be firm, yet kind. Practice going around in circles, starting and stopping lots of times until your horse moves willingly next to you. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Once the walk is easy, move on to the trot.

[@avadecklever1095]

I have been doing showmanship for a couple of years now i need some advice on how to back straight and how to end up straight after u complete a 360 or something i have been working on it but i need some extra help with it +Kali Smolen

[@kalismolen7131]

Straightness is something that definitely comes with practice. My horse doesn't execute straight lines when he is not paying full attention to me, so make sure you have a firm, yet kind hand. When you ask to back, don't look at your horse. Look straight back and walk straight back. Look up, not at the ground. Start with asking for 2 straight back steps, then 3, then 4, and so on. Also, practice backing often. I back my horse all of the time: before he goes into stall, before I get on, after I get off, etc. As for the 360, ask him to stop pivoting early. So instead of asking to stop at 360... ask him to stop pivoting at 300 degrees so that at 360 he is straight. Hope that helps! Let me know if you need any other tips/ have other questions. Good luck!

[@avadecklever1095]

+Kali Smolen thanks I will give it a try

[@avadecklever1095]

I think you should make a trail video or a horsemanship video I also need help with memorizing my patterns in like 10 minutes

[@kalismolen7131]

I would love to make more videos if I had the time. For memorizing patterns, my best advice is for you to actually set up a mini version and do it on the grass (or dirt). After you know it, think about how to maneuver your horse to do things straight and accurate. Then, practice the elements with your horse before the pattern. Only ever practice the full patter once or twice before the class though. You can also recite the pattern to a friend to help learn it.

[@avadecklever1095]

+Kali Smolen your video is wonderful it helped me tons I would love if you made more

[@its_justlexie]

also great video!

[@jjstewart7504]

I HAVE THE SAME SHOW HALTER

[@ponyabouttown4981]

What do you think about showing an Arab or Arab cross in open shows against stock breeds? Should you square all four, or "go Arab" and let the rears be uneven? I'd like to think an open show all-breed judge would know that Arabs don't "square", but you never know.

[@kalismolen7131]

Definitely go Arab! In Arab showing, the rear legs should definitely be uneven. The goal for Arabs is for the back to be completely flat. Never square an Arab. Also, make sure that the head is held high and the neck is arched. Hope that helps!

[@ponyabouttown4981]

Thanks Kali!

[@emimaryhadderton8119]

Okay I get this all but I have been practicing with my horse for over a year and still can't get him to pivot or trot and also he hates the chain under his chain

[@kalismolen7131]

My only suggestion is to keep at it. Time is really the best thing. Be patient. For horses that don't like the chain, the best thing is to put the chain on and just calmly walk them around. The more you build a relationship of trust and respect, the more your horse will respond to your cues.