Galop 5On foot
Contents
- 01WelcomeOverview
- 02How the horse learnsKnowledge
- 03Pied, spotted, additionsKnowledge
- 04The skeletonKnowledge
- 05The musclesKnowledge
- 06DigestionKnowledge
- 07SIRE, microchip and registersKnowledge
- 08Presenting in handOn foot
- 09Lunging and long-reiningOn foot
- 10Loading and stable bandagesOn foot
- 11The riding basicsIn the saddle
- 12TransitionsKnowledge
- 13The leg-yieldIn the saddle
- 14The dressage partIn the saddle
- 15Snaffle bitsKnowledge
- 16The jumping partIn the saddle
- 17The cross-country partIn the saddle
- 18RevisionRevision
Presenting a horse in hand
Presenting a horse in hand means showing it at its best to someone who is judging it: a buyer, a panel, a vet. The horse must be easy to see, free in its head and calm; you, almost invisible.
In the exam programme
- Present a horse in hand, alone, at walk and trot.Common module A
A horse is presented in hand at a sale, a breed show, a vet’s visit or a horse inspection before a competition. The pattern never changes: the horse is shown standing, then at the walk, then at the trot — the trot-up — and standing again. In Galop 5, you do it on your own.
Getting ready
- A clean, groomed horse, feet picked out, tack clean and well fitted.
- A snaffle bridle, the reins over the head. A young horse not yet used to a bit is shown in a show halter.
- For you: gloves, closed shoes, tidy clothes. A whip in your left hand can encourage a slightly sleepy horse.
Standing
- Come inWalk the horse onto level ground and halt it side-on, a few metres from the judges.
- Stand it squareHave it take its weight on all four legs. The two legs on the judges’ side stand a little further apart than those on the far side, so that all four can be seen.
- Place yourselfStand in front of the horse, facing its head, the reins in both hands, to keep it still and attentive, ears pricked.
- Let them lookThe judges may come close, touch the horse, pick up a foot: it must accept this without moving.
On the move
The horse is shown in a straight line, over about 15 to 20 m, or on a triangle of about fifteen metres a side with the judges at one corner: they then see the horse from the front, from the side and from behind.
In a straight line
Away from the judges and back; at the end, turn to the right, the horse turned away from you.
On a triangle
From one corner the judges see the horse from behind, in profile, then from the front.
- The handler, on the horse’s left, level with its shoulder
- The turn, to the right: you stay on the outside
- Coming back, still on the horse’s left
- Walk onStand on the left, between the head and the shoulder, your right hand on the reins about twenty centimetres from the mouth, your left hand holding the folded end. Walk out briskly, looking straight ahead at a fixed point.
- TurnAt the end of the line, slow down and turn to the right, pushing the horse away from you: you stay on the outside of the turn, the horse stays in view and does not tread on your feet.
- Trot backGo out and back again at the trot. Run level with the shoulder yourself, the reins long enough to leave the horse free in its head: it is by watching the head and the evenness of the strides that lameness is spotted.
- FinishCome back to walk before you reach the judges, halt the horse and stand it square again.
Common mistake
Looking at the horse, hauling it by the head or running in front of it. It goes crooked, shortens its stride, and the judges can no longer see a thing. Look ahead and let it come up level with you.
A word from the instructor
At the trot-up, it’s the horse being judged. If the panel only has eyes for you, you may be lifting your knees higher than it does.