COMPETITIVE LONGE LINE

By Gord Wadds

Copyright©2010

 

 

Lesson 6

 

At The Show

 

 

 

Arrival:

 

          If it is your first time to show your yearling in a longe line competition, I think it best if you arrive one or two days ahead of show day.

 

          If your training preparation has been ideal, you have been able to haul your youngsters to at least one or two shows prior to the first competition.

 

          Having been to other shows, your yearling thinks he is a “show horse” so this is no big deal.

 

          Hopefully, all your youngster’s “excitement” of observing multiple new horses in one place, and his “whinnying” to them is out of his system.

 

          At this point you should have a prospect that expects you to remove all outside distractions, or at the very least, save him from them.

 

          It is almost impossible for a yearling not to whinny back when he hears another youngster calling.

 

          You want to be prepared to “make it slightly uncomfortable” for your colt the instant he hears another horse whinny.   Don’t wait until after he has responded.  If you “bump” your longe line (two or three bumps, if necessary) and say a sharp, “HEY” the second you hear another horse whinny, you will be interrupting the young horse’s thought process of, “I am going to answer that whinny.”  By interrupting his thought process, you prevent your youngster from whinnying at all.  This is called “preventative” training.   If your timing is good every time, your yearling will start to put “whinnying“ on his “I don’t like” list.

 

          Caution must be taken with the horse that whinny’s a lot.  You do not want to create a head-shyness that can be caused by too much bumping of the lead rope.  This usually happens early in the “whinny correction” process.   If you see the beginnings of a problem, such as a “quick” head lift or a break in gait, it may be wise to use only sharp “verbal” HEY, with no bump of the longe rope.  With mild correction and patience, you can avoid problems and the “whinny” too.

 

          When schooling, at home or at the show, be sure to put as much variety into each training session as possible.  Variety rather than routine ensures your yearling will be waiting for your cues; not just repeating a series of maneuvers in a learned sequence.

 

          Remember, “Variety is the spice of life” when it comes to building a positive mental attitude.

 

 

Clipping:

 

          Only touch up clipping should be needed at the show.

 

          Legs should be clipped three or four days prior to leaving to allow for any noticeable differences in the color of the clipped hair and the natural color.

 

          Bridle path, ears, jaw, and muzzle should be done at home as close to leaving as possible. This is done with a #40 clipper blade.

 

          If it is two or three days between leaving home and show time, I recommend either clipping or using a razor, shortly before show time.

 

 

           

Tail Extensions:

 

          Unless your yearling has an absolutely super long and thick tail, I always recommend an extension.

 

          I specialize in marketing tail extensions.  Our extensions are made of mane hair, (as opposed to tail hair) since it is more consistent with yearling tail hair.

 

          I place the extension so it is an acceptable yearling length, but still as long as possible.

 

 

                                                                                                 

 

                                        Tail without extension                                     Tail with extension

 

 

          I make the yearling longe line tails so they have a natural end, as opposed to a blunt or straight end.

 

          Although some exhibitors do show with a blunt ended extension, I am adamant: only a natural ended extension should be used on a yearling.

 

 

 

Bathing:

 

          A good soap bath is necessary periodically to keep a yearling clean in general. I recommend no more than one a week since we want to retain a good level of hair oil.  With this in mind, it is a good idea to soap bath several days before leaving, followed by good daily grooming.

 

 

 

Banding and Braiding:

 

          I like to begin working on a mane months before the first show.

 

          It is somewhat traditional to have the mane lay on the right, but it is not mandatory.  Choose the side which is most natural for your horse.

 

          The shortening, thinning and banding processes need to be started at least two months before the first show.

 

          Although we may leave the mane long for sometime, we will slowly thin and shorten it to a natural ended length of about two inches.

 

          It is also appropriate to decide to leave a mane long on a western pleasure prospect. If we are going to do this, we may wash, condition, and show sheen a long mane at least once a week.

 

          Since we will braid our Hunter longe line prospects, we groom their manes to be 5 to 6 inches in length which allows the braiding to lay down tighter at the top.

 

 

 

                                    

          Braided forelock                                    Braids                                         Close-up of braids

 

 

          Banding or braiding should be done the day before the show.  A “slinky hood” should be put on immediately after the banding or braiding is complete.  If the weather is really hot, turn up the fans and even add an extra fan.  It is necessary to leave the slinky on overnight. I actually recommend that if a mane is a little unruly, that you band two nights before and leave the slinky on as much as possible. Be prepared to re-brand the second night if the mane needs it.

 

          I don’t recommend you school your yearling with the slinky on, since it will reduce halter sensitivity.

 

Banded Mane

 

 

 

Competition Day:

 

          It is important to schedule an early morning schooling session the day of competition. This should be done in the ring or arena that you will show in. I like to longe at both ends of the arena so that our yearling becomes well accustomed with any potential distractions outside each area.

 

          I will get one or two people to stand off to the side in the judges position before I lead my prospect to each area to begin working. This simulates the fact that the judges will already be there in position as we prepare to show.

 

          I will also get two or more people to walk around the outside of the ring as I work at each end.

 

          These mock judges set-ups should also be done while training at home.   Train at home as if you are at the show and show as if you are at home…then there are no surprises and little or no distraction during the actual competition.

 

          If during the schooling session the morning of the show our youngster becomes sweaty and/or dusty, I like to wipe him down with a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol. I follow this with a light misty spray of show sheen; brushed dry with a soft brush and towel combination.

 

          In the final pre-class touches, I put hoof black or clear hoof sealer on so it has plenty of time to dry.

 

          Putting white spray or corn starch on the white socks is optional, but if it is done it should be wiped softly with a towel or very soft brush so no white falls onto the hooves.

 

          I’ll then have my appointed groom person put on face grease or baby oil on the muzzle and eyelids. Because at this point you are all dressed and ready to go show.

 

          The last thing is fly repellants lightly applied or sprayed on before leaving the stall area. Have your groom take along a bag with brushes, towels, bug spray, and a camera.  The groom should re-apply a light mist of bug spray just before entering the ring.

 

          The show halter should sit up high, just under the cheek for the conformation judging. Then while waiting my turn to work I will lower the halter one to three holes so I get lower head control.

 

          It is permissible to show the conformation and tracking preliminary with a lead shank with a chain under the chin, and no whip.

 

          I will have my groom (assistant) put the final  touches on, just before I go in the ring, this person will also take my whip and longe line to meet me outside the ring at the end of the pen in which I am to show.

 

          One thing I like to do once I’m on the rail, is keep my yearling walking very slowly and quietly in a small circle while I wait to show.

 

          This ensures good circulation maintenance and responses. This way the youngster’s mind has less chance to wander, and he won’t go to sleep on you.

 

          It is important to note, I almost always shoe my longe liners in front only with a very thin steel plate.  This is done about three weeks before the show.  Sometimes, to get optimum movement in front, I will pull the front shoes the day before the show.  This is done only if I am sure the horse will not be “ouchy” when barefoot.

 

          If the ground is questionable or stony, I’ll leave the shoes on.  I have had notably better movement in front by doing this, but I won’t jeopardize the horse’s comfort or hoof protection.

 

 

          Be totally prepared early and good luck!

 

 

 

Assignment:

 

          Please take several pictures of your yearling longe line prospect groomed and fitted to compete.  Send the pictures to: gwadds1@aol.com

 

          If possible – have someone video you in your first competition.  Load the video to YouTube and send me the link.