Western pleasure what is

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Pattern 6. Pattern 7. Pattern 8. Pattern 9. Pattern Pattern A. Pattern B. Level 1 Pattern 1. Is the performance consistent, each stride the same as the one before and the one after?

Does the horse move in an easy, collected manner? Does the horse appear to present a pleasant picture, with a consistent frame and natural head carriage, not too high or too low? Is the horse slow-legged and natural or do the gaits appear to be manufactured? It is easier to judge a class of great exhibitors than a class without any real winner.

How would you judge between a horse that doesn't perform all three required gaits and one that tries to buck or run off with its rider?

Which one should place over the other? Sometimes manners make all the difference between earning a fourth place ribbon or first place trophy. Knowing the rules is important, but it isn't enough to produce a win. Have fun. Go to a few practice shows; offer to be a ring steward for a judge at a local open show. Every world champion started at the beginning.

Good luck and enjoy! About the Author Whether the topic is personal success or training stallions, Lynn Baber brings years of experience to readers and audiences. Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, relationship, and most things equine, Lynn has a unique perspective not found elsewhere. Lynn's career included business consulting, work as a motivational speaker, and high-level success as a horse breeder and trainer.

Lynn is now a writer and director of Amazing Grays Ministry. Follow her blogs, articles, and books by visiting www. Article Source: www. Horse Riding to be Dropped from Modern Pentathlon. The Power of Play with Our Horses. Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to Return in A steeper slope to his shoulder will make him less ground covering and will allow his neck to come out of his body leveller. A strong top line with withers higher than the hip will give him more balance when in motion.

The angle of his shoulder will also help him to swing his legs from the top line, rather than bending at the knee, and the knee should be low to the ground. He should have short cannon bones and sloping pasterns, which will help him hit the ground softly. Unlike halter horses, a good pleasure horse's hock should have some bend to it to help him reach under himself, and there should be more angle in the hock than there is in the stifle.

The hip should be more parallel to the ground, rather than perpendicular, to allow the hind leg to move from the top line. Allowing him to swing his leg forward from the hip, making it easier for him to reach deep underneath himself and stay in the air and on the ground longer, so he'll be slow legged. To verify these points pick out the best mover and you'll see this conformation. As long as a horse doesn't interfere with itself, it doesn't matter if it's not perfectly correct, but it would be something to take into consideration for long term soundness.

Similarly, scars and blemishes don't matter unless they're too unsightly or affect a horse's performance in a pleasure class. Colour, charisma and overall prettiness matters, the more serious rider should also check which programmes or futurities the prospect is eligible for. In addition to the above list, attitude is a really big thing.

No matter how talented a horse is, if he's pinning his ears and saying 'no' a lot, he's not a very willing candidate. Don't confuse pretty halter horse conformation with pleasure horse conformation. There is a difference. Once you understand the angles necessary for a great moving pleasure horse rather than halter or reining, for example, you'll have more success picking out a pleasure prospect. The Quarter Horse has evolved into such speciality athletes that these days it would be pretty unlikely that you'd find a great pleasure horse that wasn't bred to be one.

Years ago, horses did it all - they raced, they showed in halter and performed in pleasure. They were the original all-around western riding horse.

But in today's tough competition, you should start with a horse that's made to do what you want it to do. You can start with a talented western pleasure horse and make it better or worse with good or bad training. But if you begin with an untalented horse, great training will never make it great. Training should not get in the way of the horse or cover up its natural goodness. An overtrained or man-made look is undesirable. Judges are looking for the most talented horse that is presented the best for the western pleasure class.

They want great movement and consistency. Great movement is very important but a good moving consistent horse will beat a great moving inconsistent horse every time, so consistency is the key. They must be consistent in cadence, transitions, manners, speed and in executing class protocol. The horse with the most talent will be the one that can go around the show pen effortlessly and happily. He doesn't know how good he is; he just does what comes naturally.

Look for a steeper slope to the shoulder, a strong top line with withers higher than the hip, short cannon bones and sloping pasterns. A good western pleasure horse's hock should have some bend to it to help him reach under himself and there should be more angle in the hock than the stifle. The lope should be free and forward with lift in front and plenty of drive from behind.

The horse's back should be round and there should be no neck bobbing. At the lope there should be little or no bend in the knee and the back lead leg should reach up under the belly. Consistency in cadence, transition, manners and speed with good movements will beat inconsistent great movement. A western pleasure horse must be in top physical shape to compete and win in today's western pleasure class. But when it comes to conditioning a rail horse, there's more to it than just walking, jogging and loping.