Horse freaks out at shows?

Question

My 14 hand POA is going to her first show this Saturday. She is only in walk-trot classes. She does perfectly at home, she has the slowest trot of any horse I have ever seen, she listens to my cues, she is great with voice commands, she is not afraid of barrels, plastic bags, tarps, or anything. Yet, when she got to the mandatory "pre show" and acted like I pulled her out of some back pasture and stuck her in a trailer. She ran over me on the ground, the only way I could even keep some sort of control was by circling her around me (unacceptable, according to the clinician). The clinician used my horse as an example of one who had not been trained enough to be ready for a show. When I got in the saddle, my horse would not go within 5 feet of the rail, and almost broke into a canter when the clinician asked for a trot. So, my question is, how do I make sure this doesn't happen again?

Answer 1

you should try lunging her

Answer 2

Not owning your own trailer is a problem for you because the more confusion and chaos you can expose her to the sooner she will adapt.   The only way to get her used to going places like that is to take her to as many shows, organized trail rides and events as you can where there are lots of people, horses and trailers.  Exposure is the key and until she is exposed to and accepts the horse show atmosphere she will continue to act bad at the shows.  Hopefully it won't be so bad next time and will get better each time.

You can get her used to different things by  changing things in your own arena if you can.  Hang a tarp on one side and have a group of people standing along the rail, if you can, have someone park their trucks near the arena, just make it as different as you can each time until she gets used to seeing different stuff all the time.  It's an idea anyhow.

Answer 3

I would go to the show early even a day early. I would lunge her and ride her everywhere. Morning of the show I would go up early lunge her and ride her again... then get her ready. If she is being a dork take her into the class and use it as a schooling time... Try to remember that your nerves will not help in this situation and that you need to be calm just like you are at home... Pick one or two things you want her to do well at in the class and focus on those things.

good luck!

PS the reason you use lunging as a tool is not to wear the horse out but to take the horse back to doing something that it does very well and is confident at. It also will help with excess nervous energy because it gives the horse something to focus on that is comfortable and familiar. This will also give the handler time to relax and put the show nerves away for a while.

Answer 4

get certified John Lyons trainer they can work wonders

Answer 5

Get the word out that you want to do ride alongs with anyone in your area trailering to shows and offer to pay a fee if necessary, because there is no way to train for this at home.

Answer 6

If possible, longe and/or ride your horse before you go to the show.  A tired horse can never be as bad as one that is full of energy. :)  As you mentioned, the more shows she goes to, the calmer she should be.  Try to hold your own "mini show" where you set things up as if it was a horse show.  If you have an arena nearby, see if you can get some other people to ride with you.  Have someone "announce" (even if it's just shouting out) when to change your gait.  Practice lining up to be judged, and have someone pretend to be a judge.  I know it's hard, though, because they always know the difference between a "show" and a real show.  Your best bet is to work the horse beforehand.

Answer 7

well, you cant ever be sure it will never happen again, just like you cant be sure it'll always happen.

what i suggest (i cant suggest everything that helped the horse i'm talking bout, b/c we sold her to the girl who worked with her and got her past the "show fear")

1. take you're time, dont rush, and dont get over excited/nervous around the horse.

2. be gentle yet firm, so the horse knows that you're in control and that you wont let anything happen to it.  

3. do lots of fun shows, and dont listen to what the crowd says/yells. dont rush the horse, and listen/feel for the cues your horse is giving thru it's body lang.

if i knew more about how the girl did it, i would suggest more. this horse went from blood noses/kicking the judge and doing a total freak out .... to being able to be taken into a ring, doing what she was asked, and leaving the ring with out any acting up.  some horses (i'm not saying alot but some) arent meant to be flashy show horses.  this horse's breeding was perfect on paper to win shows/money, but it didnt work out for her that way.

good luck, stay cool and collected, dont get frustrated, and go to lots of shows, even if you only show in one class, get th horse used to going out and seeing what the other horse's are doing.

Answer 8

I'd say put a halter and chain on her, and let her walk around the show grounds and look at stuff. A show is alot more exciting than home. ;-)

Longing her will help to get rid of that extra energy. Also, make sure you're not nervous, that will add to her worries. If she isn't behaving, don't try to force her into your classes, that is the least of your worries. Make this experience as positive as you can for her.

Answer 9

Well there are a few options that i can think of:

1.) take her to some shows that you are NOT showing in, just so she gets the feeling of 'being at a show'. just trailer her to the show grounds put a halter and chain on her and walk her around the show grounds and let her see everything also tie her up to get her used to that. and if you feel comfortable, ride her in the practice ring.

2.) longe her a lot before going to the show so that she is tired and gets rid of all the excess energy

3.) maybe she is afraid of other horses and riders. try riding her around lots of people and noises and horses while you are at home.

4.) she may just be nervous of shows. make sure that everything goes smoothly as far as getting her in the trailer and driving to the show grounds and stuff.

I'm sorry im not much help. this is a hard question because your horse does so well at home!!!

Answer 10

Have you worked on any ground work to build her confidence and also her respect for you?  She shouldn't be running over you, even if she's worried or scared.  I unfortunately do NOT agree with the other posts that say to ride your horse for 2 hours before the show to tire her out and wear her down.  Warm her up, both longeing and riding, sure, but don't wear her down.. for several reasons.

I watched a clinic about this, and they talked about having to longe your horse for a long time before shows.  Basically, you have to keep longeing for longer and longer before each show to wear your horse out.  Why?  Because the longer you longe, the horse is getting into better shape, and you are just conditioning it to become more resistant to being worn out.  Sooner or later, you'll have to start longeing 2 days before the show because your horse is in such great shape.  The other reason is that if you have to wear your horse down to the point of being exhausted to make her do-able for the show, what is she going to associate with the show other than being terrified?  Getting worked half to death before it even starts.  Hmmmm....    So get her warmed up and mentally centered, but don't work her so hard that she's too tired to put up a fight.  That kind of defeats the purpose of everything, and is sad, if you ask me.

With all of that being said, my horse doesn't like the other horses running around him in the open shows... he thinks it's a race.   So, to get him mentally centered so he won't be stupid,  I will take him into the arena during the warm up time and hand walk him ALL the way around.  I let him stop and look at spooky banners, etc...   I tap the fencing and the plastic stuff that might make weird noises to desensitize him in case someone rubs on it.  I bring treats and give him one now and then.  Then I do some ground work and exercises to get him thinking, some light longeing, I saddle up, and I ride in the warm up area, which is usually more crowded than a class.  I also ride around outside if there's room... just pleasure riding around the show grounds.  

I agree that if you can, you should just go and watch and don't ask anything of your horse.  There is a lot of electricity in the air at horse shows and your horse picks up on it.

Good luck.

Answer 11

That happened to my old horse... depending on your horses age it might be able to be fixed. Work with her ALOT bring her to shows you dont plan competing at... walk her around and lunge her near other horses. HAve osme friends ride with you that have horses your horse doesn't know so she can see others arent scary. It might also be the mood at a show she doesn't like so my best advice would be to get her out there and have patience. Don't be expecting her to be perfect just work with her and maybe also as a vet about some calming exercises and/or have a professioinal trainer come with you to help you out.