Hidden Rules of Halter Revealed

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162 – November/December, 2016

by Rachel Kooiker

Halter is a conformation class where you track a horse into the pen, square him up, and present him to the judges. Simple, right? Not so fast. The Halter industry has exploded in recent years, thanks to the popularity of Performance Halter and the creation of new all-breed conformation associations. With an increase in both interest and entries, exhibitors are presenting the very best horses they have to offer and the ante has been upped for everything from pre- show training and conditioning to show pen presentation. Judges are used to inspecting perfectly presented and well-behaved specimens, so whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, it’s important to know everything you can about the discipline to get an extra edge. We spoke with a few experienced Halter enthusiasts to get the inside scoop on the hidden rules, tips, and advice that will have you covered from head to tail in any Halter lineup.

STARTING OUT

Kathy Smallwood is a trainer who has specialized in Halter for over 40 years. As a specialty Halter judge, she’s seen the best of the best step into the ring at the AQHA Select World Show, the AQHYA World Show, and the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, just to name a few. Her advice to anyone just starting out in the Halter pen is to remember that the cost of the horse will be the cheapest part of showing, so it’s important to slow down and take your time when selecting a horse. “Pick someone, who you trust and believe in, to help you,” she says. “Get the best that you can buy to help make your dreams come true.” For those who’ve already purchased a horse, but are looking toward their first Halter lineup, Smallwood advises exhibitors to take a deep breath and relax. All horses pick up on the emotions of their exhibitors, but this is particularly true in Halter, where nerves or confidence can be sensed directly by the horse. As Smallwood says, “A confident look not only makes an impression on the judge, but your horse can also feel confidence through the line.” A horse will respond and show better for you if you go in feeling like a World Champion.

Another icon of the Halter industry, Luke Castle, offers up this piece of advice for those starting out. “I think the major thing is to be prepared from start to finish. Have a plan and map out everything: from the timing of shoeing to getting your horse ready the morning of the show,” he says. Castle points out that while these aspects of show ring preparation are equally as important across disciplines, having a specific game plan for the timeline of a horse show is especially important for successful pres- entation of your horse in Hal- ter. As Castle says, “Every horse is different, and pre- paredness is really key. Some horses may need two days to settle in at a show, while others need more or less. As far as timing of shoeing goes, this is about more than just making sure feet are trimmed every 4- 6 weeks, but also about know- ing how well your horse stands, tracks, and feels at dif- ferent stages of hoof growth, and how getting shod impacts your horse’s overall look.”

Click here to read the complete article
162 – November/December, 2016