HALTER

HALTER

Halter competition is used as a measure of judging the conformation of the breed. Halter classes are divided by age and sex. Horses are evaluated for structural correctness, balance, degree or muscling, and breed and sex characteristics. Emphasis is placed on the most desirable characteristics that enhance the horse’s ability to perform. Horses are shown with a leather halter and are travelled before the judge so soundness can be evaluated.

A halter class is defined as a class where the horse is judged based upon its conformation. The purpose of the class is to preserve the breed type by selecting well mannered individuals in the order of their resemblance to the breed ideal and that are the most positive combination of balance, structural correctness, and movement with appropriate breed and sex character and muscling.

The ideal is a horse that possesses the following characteristics: the horse should possess eye appeal that is the result of a harmonious blending of an attractive head; refined throat latch; well-proportioned, trim neck; long, sloping shoulder; deep heart girth; short back; strong loin and coupling; long hip and croup; and well-defined and muscular stifle, gaskin, forearm, and chest. These characteristics should be coupled with straight and structurally correct legs and feet that are free of blemishes. The horse should be a balanced athlete that is muscled uniformly throughout.

Conformation is defined as the physical appearance due to the arrangement of muscle, bone and other body tissues. While it could be assumed that most horses with several years’ seasoning and past performance have acceptable conformation, the goal in selection should always be to find the best conformed horse possible. Rating conformation depends upon objective evaluation of the following four traits: balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics, and degree of muscling. Of the four, balance is the single most important, and refers to the structural and aesthetic blending of body parts. Balance is influenced almost entirely by skeletal structure.

Horses will walk to the judge one at a time. As the horse approaches, the judge will step to the right (near side of the horse) to enable the horse to trot straight to a cone placed at 15 metres (50 feet) away. At the cone, the horse will continue trotting, turn to the left and trot toward the left wall or fence of the arena. After trotting, horses will be lined up head to tail for individual inspection by the judge. 

The judge shall inspect each horse from both sides, front and rear. Any horse that becomes detached from its handler and is no longer under control by the handler will automatically be disqualified and excused. If the initial horse exhibiting poor mannerisms (i.e. rearing, backing or falling into others, etc.) causes other exhibitor(s) to lose their horse(s), only the initiating horse will be disqualified and excused. The decision of the judge(s) will be final. 

The fall of a horse being judged in halter shall be cause for disqualification. A horse is considered having fallen when he or she is on their side with all four feet extended in the same direction. All stallions two-years-old and over shall have two visible testicles. All mares and stallions shall be examined for parrot mouth. All lame horses, cryptorchids and parrot mouthed horses should be excused from the ring prior to final placing by the judge. The judge should line the horses to be placed in a head to tail order according to preference.

When judging of all classes in a halter division has been completed, all first and second-place class winners of that sex division shall return to the ring, with first-place class winners in one line and second-place horses from each class in another line for the awarding of Champion & Reserve.

• Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready and be waiting in the marshalling area ready to be called in by the gate steward.
• It is fine to smile and say "good morning" to the judge as you approach them in your workout!
• Make sure you and your horse are clean and well groomed.
• Mane can be banded or left loose but should be neat.
• Make sure your horse has been trained to lead and stand squarely BEFORE you attend your first show. Judges may excuse some nervous fidgeting but NOT naughty behaviour such as striking or biting or refusal to lead. The older the horse the better behaved it should be!
• When you line up head to tail make sure you leave enough room for the judge to be able to pass safely between the horses for their inspection.
• When the placings are announced the horses move to their position (again head to tail) for the ribbons to be awarded.
• Please congratulate your fellow competitors whether you win OR lose!