What are halter classes?

Question

i read in a magazine about halter classes but i still dont know what they are help? and type of halter should you use.... help... i want to know if i should enter my horse in one.... HELP!!!!!

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure that a halter class is where you lead your horse in a halter, while you are not riding. I think it is for showing how your horse listens to you when you are not on their back.

Answer 2

halter classes... what i understand (i've never really shown in one b/c i didnt understand it either for the longest time) is that it shows the horse's conformation.  it's all about how good the horse looks.  the judge will go around and look at the horse from all angles, there is a bunch of things on where you should stand at what time *(this i think is mainly for pros and just so you're outta the way from the judge seeing the areas he needs to see.) that arent too hard to learn, but they're good to know. i dont remember them, but i did learn em at one point in time.

horse that 1. has best conformation out of the group, 2 most appeal to the judge/looks the best over all usually wins.

with the halter question, get one that doesnt distract from the horse.  a plan black halter that fits properly should work.  i wouldnt suggest flashy colors or patterns.

Answer 3

Halter classes are classes where a judge judges your horse on his/her appearence/conformation.  For western you use a leather halter with some silver on it, for English you use a bridle.  you walk out/ or jog out, depending on what the judge says, they grade your horse on his/her overall appearence/ conformation, and then you wait for placement.  You are not riding, it is an in-hand class.  As for entering it, your horse needs to listen and behave well in hand, and it needs to have good conformation as to what his breed standards are.

http://www.paintedspringspaints.com/Soda...

Answer 4

pretty simple concept about halter class. Its judged on the conformation of your horse. Meaning how well your horse is built, is it healthy and etc. Theres many halter classes from breeds classes to broodmare halter, gelding halter, stallion, aged halter.

If your going to show in halter you don't have to have silver on the halter. All you really need is a plain leather halter, which you can buy pretty cheap. You need to have a leather lead with a shank (chain) on the end. You'll put the chain either under the horses chin or just hook it like a normal halter lead would. Make sure the horse is nice and groomed.

In the class you will be asked to walk towards the judge. For this movement, you want to aim your horse towards the judge. Remember the judge is judging your horse not you. The judge will move out of the way and then your supposed to make your horse trot all the way to the line up. The judge is watching for any signs of lameness, and seeing how nice of a mover your horse is. Then you line up. Once in line up, you want your horse to "square up" you want the front hooves lined up with each other and the back hooves lined up with each other. http://www.kreierkountrypoafarm.com/Gold... notice how this horses legs look kinda like a box. thats what squaring up should look like. Why you ask? pretty simple it makes your horse look balanced, its makes your horse look more attractive.

Like I said before halter class is pretty simple. The judge may come to you and ask you questions like how old is your horse? or what size shoe does your horse wear? Don't stand and say aaaahhhhh or weeeelllll. Be short and to the point. Hopefully this helped and good luck

Answer 5

http://www.turnerranchinc.com/

The above link will take you to the top exhibitor of AQHA halter horses in the nation...you'll also see some of the halter horses that he is currently exhibiting.  This will give you an idea of the fitness, conditioning and grooming that's required in a breed show halter class.

Here's another breeder/exhibitor of quality halter horses....

http://www.clarkrassi.com/main.html



I've heard halter classes described as "beauty contests for horses"...If you are showing a registered horse at breed shows in halter classes your judge is looking for a horse that most nearly matches the breed standard, a horse that moves soundly, a horse that is fit and in condition to be shown at halter.  He's looking for a horse that profiles well and a horse that is a exceptional representative of his particular breed.  

Halter classes at breed shows are highly competitive.  You'll be confronted with those horses and exhibitors who specialize in halter...those are the only classes that horse and exhibitor will compete in.

Show halters.......

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I...

http://www.kathys-show-tack.com/-western...

http://www.dalechavezsaddles.com/silver_...

Examples of what you'll see out in the AQHA show pen.  

There are, of course, different halter classes for different breeds of horses...each breed may have it's own style of halter that is currently popular with exhibitors....you'll need to find out what the requirements are for your breed of horse or style of showing be it english or western.

If you're wondering whether to show your horse in a halter class, have a knowledgable individual who has some experience showing at halter and fitting halter horses up evaluate your horse.   Usually you'll find out pretty quickly whether or not your horse is of halter horse quality.

Here's a You Tube video of a first timer showing in a halter class..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENcCcATmb...

Answer 6

halter classes are when your horse is judged on its appearance

Answer 7

Criteria, what you do:  http://www.arabianhorses.org/home/faq/As...

What it looks like:  http://www.davalentino.com/index.html

If your horse has exemplary confirmation, go for it.

Answer 8

It's when you show YOUR horse in halter.Like how good the confirmation is you and your horse must be looking good,confident,elegant,show control of your horse while not on it.If a horse s not trained in halter class it is not smart to do it.

You CANNOT touch your horse you must back up the horse,trot and walk the horse,pivot the horse and more you must also now how to switch your place when the judge is looking at your horse.you must straighten your horse to make it square.have a BIG amount of control over the horse.

Here is a Shire horse Halter class-

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QV8VEOoHY-s&f...

Answer 9

A halter class is where you have  your horse in a Show Halter that has like silvery and sometimes disigns. You lead your horse into the ring and the judge will come over and look at the confromation of the horse and he will sometimes have you walk and trot and backup. They look for cleanness and posture of the horse and handler (which is you) you have to make your horse stand very still and calm. The judge will put you in line. Then he/she will come back through and looks at your horse. He might touch it and he will walk all around you and your horse. Make sure your horse stands on all legs. don't let him/her rest on any leg. (I lost 1 time doing that) lol  Make Sure that you horse is completely clean. They do check for that. It is pretty much to look for the conformation of the horse. it is judged like 95% on the horse. In my shows you are aloud to touch the horse like when they are standing in a line waiting for others to get done judging. you horses hooves have to be square ( back hooves exactly across from each other and the same for the front). In the shows I go to you can touch the horses hooves to move the back or forward a lil. Halter and showmanship are kinda the same but not exactly. you have to do more things in showmanship.

                                Good Luck = )

Answer 10

a halter class is also called showmanship. it is where you show your horse but you are not riding or lunging it. so you lead it. you can use a leather, web, or rope halter (at least in 4H you can use those 3 options). most people go for the leather with a TON of silver all over it. watch youtube videos of a halter class, ad go to local shows and watch the halter class to see if you want to consider trying it.