Fitting a Halter Horse

Question
Hello,
I have a 4 month old paint colt. I would like to show him his yearling year in halter classes. I was wondering what age is safe to start working him to fit him for the class. How long should I work him and how many times a day. If you have any advice on fitting halter horses, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!
Erin

Answer
Dear Erin:
My strong suggestion is to think about your long term plans for this foal. There is a sad dilemma facing stock horse breeds - the regimes that some trainers engage in to "fit" their young horses for halter far too often destroys them for future under saddle purposes and (far too often) shortens their lives. Ironically, this is perhaps most true in the upper echelons of the show world.
I don't even start free longing until a foal is a year old (and I mean a calendar year). The stresses that a longe circle (even in a round pen) places on the growth plates and connective soft tissues is tremendous. Couple that stress with a high calorie protein and carb high diet to add the "hulk" factor and you have a recipe that cripples many youngsters.Liken it to feeding a toddler steroids.
As a judge, I do not expect to se the same kind of development on a yearling that I would see on a three year old.Realistically, I know that not all judges share my opinion and there is a status quo factor out there that ethical horse owners are constantly engaged in a battle against. These are choices you need to make for yourself.
My suggestions for your foal is that hopefully his genetics have endowed him with correct conformation and appropriate muscle (for his age). Feed him high quality forage (I like a timothy based hay and keep away from alfalfa entirely for babies- too much protein can lead to epiphicitus). Easy on the carbs- I like a balanced pellet with a good vitamin/mineral supplement and rice bran- always through consultation with my vet for quanitity and specific nutritional needs of your geographic region of the country. For fitness - big turn out and lots of it- young horses with company to play with will run and frolic themselves into a pretty good fitness level.
I recognize that my sentiments are somewhat unorthodox, but I would rather see a horse have a long career under saddle that a short one at the end of a lead shank.
Best wishes,
S. Evans