What is the diffrence/what is halter and showmanship?

Question

i guess im kinda confused....

arent halter and showmanship like the same thing...or are they totaly different?

im confused.

thanx!

Answer 1

well halter is about the horse. its conformation, its personality, how it acts, if its respectful, and so on. in showmanship you are mostly the one getting judged. how you look ( shirt tucked in and fitted clothing and so on ) and how you show your horse. you walk from cone a to cone b and do a 360 turn and trot to the jugde. when you get there the jugde walks around your horse. when ever they pass the withers ( shoulder area ) butt ( point of tail ) withers again and the head ( nose ) you switch sides of the horses so you always can see the judge. so basicly -halter, all horse.. showmanship- all you. .

Answer 2

i believe you go through just about the same process, but halter is about the horse, and showmanship is about the person (like pleasure vs equitation)

-but I'm not sure.. i just learned the motions and went in classes to fill spaces so people could qualify

Answer 3

Halter is a class based just on the horse's conformation.  There is no judging on the person showing the horse, and even though some of the judging is on the quality of movement of the horse, if they misbehave in the class, it typically won't hurt their placings (I've seen horses rear and still win).

Showmanship is a pattern class that is based on the person and the horse.  You are judged on how correctly you complete the pattern, and no judging is based off the horse's conformation.

So, to answer your question....they are two totally different classes!  :)

Answer 4

Both classes are in-hand.

Showmanship is based on how well you show of your horse. Its when you wear the bright sparkly clothes that get you noticed. You need a nice halter.

Halter is when its based on the horses confirmation. You can wear anything, like a t-shirt w/ holy jeans. The horse can  wear a old halter.

Answer 5

Halter classes at breed shows are for those horses who most nearly match the breed standard....it's a beauty contest amongst horses...

Showmanship is on you, how well you present a perfectly groomed horse to the judge....you'll be working a pattern with your horse...you'll memorize that pattern from illustrations that are posted on the wall near the entrance gate to the show pen.  

http://www.pleasurehorse.com/judges/halt...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_showm...

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:yUx...

Links to explanation of what a judge looks for in a halter classes...

and, info on showmanship classes..............

Answer 6

Halter is completely based on the horse. You walk towards the judge, and when you pass her you trot away. The class is on the beauty and comfirmation of the horse. In showmanship, there is a pattern that you remember and perfom in the arena. In showmanship, the judge is judging on you and the horse. The class is about how well you show, and you will be asked to perform pivots. The class is not judged by the horse, mostly just about you.

Answer 7

This is right up my alley and happy you asked this question.

Both Halter and Showmanship you show the horse in hand.  No riding.

In both classes you are showing the same way EXCEPT

In Halter Classes - the judge is judging your horse i.e. conformation, suitability, legs, ears, head, eye etc. how the horse tracks.

In Showmanship Classes - the judge is basically judging you and how well you and your horse work together (walk, trot, stop, turns, setting him up)  He looks at grooming, feet, mane and tail, cleanliness of both horse, feet.   He looks at how well you are paying attention and how long it takes your to correct something if you make a mistake. (or if you correct it at all)

So there you have it  Good luck to you and your horse!