training the horse to stand still at shows for halter!

Question
Hi,
I have 2 miniatures. ! a 2yr old filly who is a nervous little girl who has been ill treated in the past before I purchased her. The first show I went to she went crazy and I tried to get her to stand still n the ring but she wanted no part in it. Back to the drawing board practised setting her up ect went to the next show. She wasn't as bad I still placed third but she started to fidget and carry on as soon as the judge tried to walk around her. Also she becomes agitated if their are no other horses in the ring with her and she's the only one. My other mini is a pony gelding who is rising 4. He is usually very good at shows but the last 2 have been shockers.  When asked to stand still he will stand and then as soon as the judge starts moving he will move his foot when you sak him to put it back he stands all queer sideways and stuff and you have to try to set him up again. He is a very beautiful pony and I have won supremes and champion with him before but it seems as sson as the new filly turned up he decided to be bad. He also now doesn't like going out into the ring on his own either. I have practised a heap of halter and clicker work at home ect at the show and then it falls apart in the ring! Would be great if I could get an insight on whats happening with these 2 delinquents!


Answer
Ninna,

Sounds like your boy is feeding off your new little one and has regressed a bit.  As far as your 2 yr. old please remember she is just a baby, the equivalent of a 12 yr. old, and you are asking a lot of her right now.  It's going to just take a lot of time, patience and practice to get her to settle down.  Just go to shows with that in mind; don't go in with the idea you have to win something, go for her for training purposes.  You said she was better the 2nd time around, she should improve over time.  

My guess is the other one is feeling ignored, displaced and otherwise jealous of the new little girl and so is exhibiting the poor behavior.  He's also quite young and the youngsters will do this kind of thing.  You'll just have to resign yourself to continuing with the training and practice.  Might try taking only him to a show and see if he isn't better without the competition of the other one there.  I'm sure things will settle down over time so the best thing I can suggest is just keep up with the training and be patient because they are both still babies!  

Hope this has helped.  Your last sentence said it all, 2 delinquents are what you have and you just have to work through this with them.  

Lyn