How to Prepare a Arab Horse for the Show Ring

The Arabian horse has a long and noble history that stretches back many centuries to the deserts of the Middle East. Even today Arabian horses are used for transportation in many countries, but in the United States they are mostly used as pleasure mounts and show horses. If you plan to show your own Arabian horse, it is important to lay the groundwork and be carefully prepared.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse
  • Tack
  • Trailer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attend as many shows as you can as a spectator. Before you can show your own horse, it is important to get to know the rules and regulations governing the sport. Attending shows as a spectator allows you to see what competitors are wearing, what type of tack they are using and what is expected of their horses in the ring.

    • 2

      Obtain a copy of the show rulebook and guidelines from the Arabian Horse Association if you plan to show in breed shows. If you plan to attend local shows, be sure to get a copy of the rules used by the show management. Many local shows follow the rulebook of the 4-H Club, so it is important to become familiar with those rules.

    • 3

      Make sure your horse has mastered all the basics of riding if you plan to show in under saddle classes. These basics include the ability to walk, trot and canter on cue, to consistently pick up the right leads and to stand quietly both under saddle and on the ground. If you plan to show only in halter classes, be sure your horse leads properly and handles well.

    • 4

      Expose your horse to as many changes in the environment as you can in the months leading up to your first show. One of the biggest challenges of showing a horse is that there are so many new experiences on the show grounds. Many horses that behave perfectly at home can misbehave badly at their first show because of this over-stimulation. This is particularly true for young horses, but it can be true of older ones as well. Try to re-create as many of these distractions as you can, from flapping flags and opening umbrellas to sudden loud noises and lawn chairs. The more you can do at home, the fewer surprises there will be on show day.

    • 5
      A horse trailer

      Try to attend a small local show your first time out, rather than a large and more competitive breed show. It can take some time for even the best horse to get used to the ins and outs of showing, and starting small will be far less costly.

    • 6

      Be sure to practice loading your horse on the trailer long before the day of the show. Many horses are nervous about trailer loading, so it is important to work with the horse when you have plenty of time to spare. Once your horse is consistently loading on the trailer with no resistance, you are ready to go to the show.