show halter yearling

Question
Hi! I have a just turned yearling quarter horse stud colt that I plan to show this year at open shows.  I have taught him to do all the moves that is required in halter and showmanship classes, but the question I have is how do I get his body fit enough for the show ring?  I don't expect him to be perfect or like the older horses since he is still a baby, but he has a hay belly because he is an easy keeper.  I do take him out to trail rides every now and then when I can take my mare out to pony him and I free lunge him in the outdoor arena (80x90 and nothing to hard.  Do you have any advice I can use? He is also bred for halter/performance.

Answer
Crystal,
  Unfortunately with the younger crowd fitness is the plan, but rarely happens.  My best suggestion if you are trying to get him looking trimmer, is to lunge him at least 3 to 4 days per week, make sure he has plenty of safe turn out and room to run, and cut back his feed and hay.  If you are worried about forage, you can give him beet pulp with his meals.  You have to soak it to get the full benefits, but beet pulp is low in protein, is an excellent source of forage, keeps your guy busy at the food bucket so he thins he's getting alot, and won't ad weight.  I would give him about 3/4-1lb. per meal twice a day (if he's going through a growth spurt you can increase it by 1/2 lb. or so).  Pour it in his grain bucket with a handful of grain (very little grain, becasue tat will put weight on him) fill the bucket up until everything is floating, then let it soak for several hours.  Beet pulp will absorb and expand up to 10x it's size in water, when you are ready to feed, just stir it up, and feed your little one.  With this added forage you can cut his hay consumption almost in half!  I would avoid the pre-shredded beet pulp, and the beet pulp/grain mixtures (come premixed) these don't absord as much water, and you actually get less beet pulp per serving than if you mix them at home.  I would also check your feed that you are giving him, perhaps find a lower fat, lower protein higher fiber feed.  
The revised diet, and more exercise should trim him up nicely within 6 or 8 weeks.  Best of luck at the shows! Please let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Samantha Brunner