showing

Question
QUESTION: I was wondering about mini trail classes. Obviously you cant ride them, so what kind of obstabcles to mini trail classes include?? Thanks

ANSWER: Hi JoAnne-
Good question-thanks. The one's I have seen and been involved with are similar to a "trail in hand" course for large horses, that is water (tarps), bridges, cones, gates, small jumps with or without flowers, etc. They are a lot of fun. Hope this helps. Best, Toni

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks! Im so excited to start showing my minis. i have never done much "showing", just barrel racing with my quarter horse. So i am new to minis and another thing i have wondered is what kind of halter do you use to show minis? I have a silver show halter for western showmanship and halter classes with my q.horses, but sometimes i see minis with those halters that kind of look like nosebands? What classes require those instead of "standard" halters??
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi JoAnne-

There are halters that are similar to quarterhorse show halters that some people use however the ones that are currently "in vogue" are the ones that look like Arabian halters with wires and beads or metallic or brightly colored nose bands. Also, it is traditional to clip an exaggerated bridle path. I don't believe there is a requirement to use a specific halter type but it is more like what is in style (just as things come and go in the QH world). Don't be intimidated by halters- grooming is the most important thing. The wonderful difference is you don't need to band or braid and long manes and tails are better! Hope this helps and above all, have fun! Best, Toni

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks...it is good how you don't have to band. but with the tails, are fake tails ever used? I dont have a fake tail for my quarter horse, because she has a nice tail, but my mini has a really,"bad" tail. It is thin and kinda "wavy" Thanks again for all the help!!

Answer
Hi Joanne-
I was sure I had answered this but for some reason the answer never posted! I have never seen anyone use a fake tail on a mini and as you know, even with quarter horses fake tails are kind of falling out of fashion. A tail bag and some M-T-G or similar can do wonders. I don't believe I have seen where they are not allowed but you could check through the rule books for the different associations (available as PDF files on some of the websites). Maybe you'll start a new fad! Best, Toni