Showjumping Competition Advice?

Question

Hi. I recently purchased a new show jumper, and have and him for a few months. We are doing very well together, and soon i am planning to enter him in a competition.

The only problem i can think of is that i prefer to keep a "natural" horse, and i don't shoe, stall, or clip him.

I know that i can show an unshod horse as I entered my previous horse in numerous eventing competitions, and he had unshod, rock crushing hooves, so i know that that isn't a problem.

But i only ever entered him in summer, when he had a naturally short coat, and my new horse i plan to show in autumn and winter as well. Can you still show an unclipped horse in showjumping, or are their rules against that?

Thankyou in advance.

Answer 1

last winter I didn't clip my horse, and I still competed with him (just small shows). It depends what kind of competing your doing, if there just easy going local shows, you don't have to worry. But if your going to real serious shows then I would suggest it.

Answer 2

Yes you can,there arent any rules in that regard that i am aware of. but its about presentation as well.  

Answer 3

You can do it, but it's not ideal. Horses are clipped because when they sweat up they can very easily chill if they have a long coat. If you work your horse in the winter, it's in his best interest to clip him to some degree. I'm a firm believer in the saying "let horses be horses" but your horse is not living a natural life if you ride him! Some horses go well unshod but some simply can't go without shoes. If your horse currently has shoes he may be uncomfortable without them. One of my horses showjumped and cross-countried for years unshod, but my other horse can't walk without his shoes. Also, if your horse going to be worked in the winter, he really should be stabled. Show jumping is hard work and your horse will need to cool down (which will take a long time if he's unclipped) and dry off before being turned out and not having a stable will make this hard. Also, if he is a Thoroughbred (or other fine, thin skinned breed) he might get very cold, even with rugs on, and lose weight outside. I think you need to rethink your horse's management - you can still keep things as natural as possible for him whilst acting in his best interests. Feel free to email me :-)

ADD: I've just read a few of your other questions and I see you have a Warmblood and live in Canada. A warmblood isn't the hardiest of breeds and really should be stabled in winter. I visited Canada once in winter time and it was FREEZING!

Answer 4

There aren't any rules against that that I know of. If the horse looked like he was really sweaty and not in good condition they might not let you participate. But I'm sure you will be fine

Good luck

Answer 5

I really advise against showing an unclipped horse. Please, clip and blanket in the winter. I appreciate the whole "natural horsemanship" movement, but the fact of the matter is, when you start using horses for sport and competition, you're doing something unnatural.

Jumping at higher levels is a tremendous amount to ask of a horse. The strain produces a lot of perspiration, and in the winter time that sweat can freeze on the horse's skin almost instantaneously, inducing pneumonia and other conditions. Show jumping might not have as many rules for presentation as hunters, but it does ask that you maintain the health and welfare of the animal. If you persist in showing an animal that might be suffering in the conditions, you could be fined or suspended. I've personally seen people work animals with woolly coats far too hard, and I've witnessed the consequences.

I also have to recommend shoes for 90% of horses in competition. Again, your horse is going around jumping large obstacles. This is something he would likely never do left to his own devices. Few horses have absolute perfect conformation, and correct shoeing can help prevent conditions like laminitis, naviculars, and suspensory injuries. In addition, most courses in the jumper ring are so tricky the course designers and show management often recommend studs to help the horses gain a better grip and traction.

Once more, I appreciate your perspective, but please try to keep in mind that showing at a higher level requires more attentive care to keep your horse in top shape and condition over a longer span of time. Also remember that if your horse was in the wild, he probably wouldn't live past the age of 4 or 5. It's thanks to modern veterinary care, advances in shoeing, and horse management that horses are living into their 20s and 30s.

Answer 6

Hi there!

I don't know about the rules, but I wanted to say thanks for keeping your horse natural!

Answer 7

yer, that should be alright but i dont really get what you mean by i want a natural horses

hehe

hope it helps , which it probably didnt but anyway! have a good day

Answer 8

Show jumpers are not judged on turnout. So, yes you can show an unclipped horse in show jumping.