NASDHA Office
17420 US Hwy 20
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 825-1924
How Do I Sell or Show My Horse?
by Eric W. Brown, of Brown's Horseflowers
Originally published in the Summer, 2004 issue of The Spot Light
This article is being written to provide some
kind of basis for the person who is new in the Draft Horse world to understand
proper horse presentation. The way in which a horse is presented can make a big
difference in the perception of that horse by those who are at the sale or show.
A horse at the sale needs to be presented in it’s best light, and this is every
bit as important as in the show ring. The same principles apply, and the stakes
are just as high.
PREPARATION AHEAD OF TIME
The horse should be in its best health and fit long before going to the sale or show. Feeding a good balanced diet, with plenty of fresh clean water will go a long way towards getting your horse in it’s best shape. We firmly believe in the use of a good supplement, and have been successfully using Black’s brand supplements here. We also work with the animal at home before going out to the sale. It must be well broke to lead and handle or will not bring a fair price. Anything you will expect to do with the horse at the sale should be done at home. The horse and handler, which are comfortable with each other, are sure to do the best that can be expected.
The cleanliness of the animal and its handler will make the biggest impression. We use a good quality detergent to clean the hide, and will wash the horse once or twice to be sure the skin and hair are as clean as possible. With the horse clean we will use powdered sulphur to bleach out stains in the white hair. This is applied while the skin is still damp, and brushed out when dry. We also make sure that the mane and tail are very clean. This is all done at home if possible. The trimming of a practical bridle path about 5 inches long over the poll, around and in the ears, the jawline, and any other unruly hair such as thick foretops thinned out should all be done at home. Thick tails that are to be tied should be thinned from in the center but not the sides or bottom. This makes it easier to tie the tail nicely. Work with the bridle or halter you will be using at home as well so the horse knows what is going on with this piece of equipment. If you plan to drive the horse at the sale, be sure to have enough help and good equipment available. Also be sure to have your health and shipping papers as well as registration papers including transfers in order before you go. Check with your vet as well as the sale company before you go, at least three weeks ahead of time. One week before the sale or show is a good time to reset shoes and or trim feet.
EQUIPMENT and SUPPLIES
The equipment needed to successfully present the horse at sale will depend on what you expect from your horse, as well as the age, gender, and condition of the animal. Some things which are always needed are cleaning supplies including; shampoo, sulphur, fly repellent, hoof blacking, skin care products such as Jardine’s Final Shine, a supply of the feed the animal is used to eating (grain and supplement), first aid supplies, showstick, wrap bandages, absorbine liniment, menthol ointment for the nostrils, rags, brushes, a hose, mane and tail comb, blanket that fits the horse, and a good lead rope and halter to leave with the new owner of the horse. In addition, a good neck rope for stallions is strongly recommended, and required at some sale barns. Be sure to remember to bring your show halter along as well. We have an old wooden box that has a locking lid to put this stuff in. Those plastic storage bins work well for this also. For the handler, a supply of medical needs and analgesic are included as well.
SPECIFIC ITEMS NEEDED FOR YOUR ANIMAL
Stallions: The stallion will need a few special items and care. We never leave a stallion alone to his own devices anytime we are gone from home. They have a special ability and desire to stir up excitement which determines the need for more attention. The stallion will be presented with the mane, foretop, and tail all braided and with sprigs in the tail. We usually use a leather halter with a bit on any stallion of breeding age. While this does not necessarily provide any more control than a chain halter alone, he is put on notice that this is a time to pay attention to the handler, not his libido. We also put menthol ointment in the nostrils to mask the scent of mares that will be present.
There is a growing interest in bringing the stallion belt or check belt back. These help to keep the horse in control and to keep the animal erect. These are custom made to each farm and are quite expensive.
Mares and suckling foals: Mares have historically had manes braided only to hitch. This is up to the owner, but the mane is not usually rolled, only the foretop, tail, and sprigs are tied. The sprigs are the long hair at the top of the tail on the sides, which are braided with wire and ribbon, or an artificial sprig braid can be used. This gives the horse the look of having a stronger croup, as well as a taller look. These can also help with a long dock, which is hard to tie up as high as one would like. The mare is usually presented in a rope halter with or without a chain lead depending on the preference of the owner. The mare should be trimmed well to give a feminine, refined look. If the foal is along the mare should be used to being away from her foal for the time she is being presented. If the mare and foal are to be sold together, each should have a handler that they are used to. This will help prevent a possibly catastrophic accident. We always handle foals in an all rope halter, and seldom braid foals, unless they are weaned.
Weanlings: The weanlings and yearlings are handled similarly to each other. Studs are braided and tails tied, fillies have only tails tied. The horse is handled in an all rope halter. All other preparation is as for adults, and the libido issue in stallions is not usually a big factor. The big thing we see a lot is young stock that are not used to being handled. I can not stress enough that these young, inexperienced animals need to be used to being handled by the people who will be with them at the sale or show. This will go a long way towards helping them to be presented as best as they can.
Geldings: Geldings should be presented as the males they are, but in a chain lead or rope halter without a bit. More attention to thinning hair will give a better look for the gelding, which should be more refined than the Stallion, but not effeminate. I like to use a narrow mane roll in the gelding for halter as it gives a more finished look to the horse.
THE DECORATIONS AND RING EQUIPMENT
There are many different styles of decorations and colors available. For the tastes of the conservative as well as those who want something which will really turn heads.
The basic styles are a thin or wide mane roll, rosettes or fan type flowers, tail bows, sprigs, and foretop ties. This is up to the individual taste, but there are some things which work without being flamboyant. Solid colors on paints and roans, combinations on solid color horses, prime colors on darker horses, and blues, yellows, or greens on blacks. There are exceptions to all of the rules, and we use the basic chart plans of the Indiana University Draft Horse Judging criteria from 1920 in making recommendations to our customers. There are many things that will work. Call us to help with these decisions.
All breeds except the Clydesdale and Shire usually have black hooves for presentation. This is best done just prior to going to the ring 3/4 of an hour. The legs should be brushed and combed just before going to the ring. Ample time should be allowed for rolling the mane and tail, etc. We usually have the horse decorated all day at a sale, and freshen it just before going to the ring if needed. The horse that is cleaned up and decorated for the review of prospective buyers will garner much more attention. This does not hurt your marketing efforts! Always allow a minimum of 30 to 40 minutes to braid a horse well. More time may be needed for the inexperienced braider. We use a thin strong cord to tie tails, and there are several styles of bows available to finish tails with. Do not be tardy in getting to the sale ring at your appointed place in the selling order. Buyers will be at the ring looking for you at that time, and you don’t want to miss out on that after all of your hard work. The same goes for shows. The class will not wait past a very short courtesy time, so don’t miss out.
We always use a show stick to aid in handling the horse. This helps to make those quick turns and stops when laid gently along the muzzle. I never strike a horse except in case of extreme emergency. The horse should have been worked with at home with this as well. The use of a good whip man to trail and encourage the horse is also helpful. Do not get overly enthusiastic with the whip, but only encourage the horse. Do not get too close either. Moderation does well here, and practice at home is invaluable. Be sure that your horse knows what he is expected to do, and for those farm kids who have never been to town, (equine as well as human), a trip to the show or sale ring early in the morning of the event will do wonders. Be sure to exercise the horse each day you are at the event. This will help keep the horse limber, and in a much better frame of mind.
When in the ring, run the horse in a straight line, and turn him around with the leader on the outside of the turn. Don’t let him get tangled up with too close of a turn, and keep him moving. Walk and trot the horse, and if you stop him, stand him up so he will show square on all 4 legs.
Keep a positive attitude, and know what you are willing to take for the horse before going in the sale ring. Stick to your plan and be realistic, this is after all a business transaction. Do not get mad in the ring, or take your disappointment out on the horse. Reputations once sullied are hard to repair! You are too good of a person to let the heat of the sale ring get the best of you! Do your homework, be prepared, and have fun! There are plenty of good folks around that will be glad to help. Some are professionals and ask a small fee for their services at the sale and there is plenty of free advice around. Some of it is good and some is not. You usually get what you pay for! But if you remember that you are in this for the enjoyment, and the sale (or show) will be fun! You will often be surprised how far a little goodwill can take things.
This is by no means a comprehensive outline, but hopefully will give you a place to start from. There are many resources available, as well as schools and clinics to attend for good hands on learning and confidence building. Remember to be safe, and you will have much more fun with your horse experience!
This article copyrighted 2004 by Eric Brown and may be used by my permission for publication in The Spot Light; Official Publication of the North American Spotted Draft Horse Association. All rights reserved.
Eric W. Brown,
P.O. Box 251,
Zearing, Iowa 50278-0251
Ph; 1-800-362-8366