QUARTER METHOD
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THE QUARTER METHOD - SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER

The Quarter Method is the suggested method of showmanship. The following guidelines are meant to serve as an illustration of movement around the horse while showing in showmanship at halter and are for the exhibitor's information. Imaginary lines bisect the horse into four equal parts as seen in the illustration below. (Note: The quadrants will be numbered I, II, III, and IV for the ease of identification.) One line runs across the horse just behind the withers. The other imaginary line runs from head to tail.

  • When the judge is in I, the handler should be in IV. As the judge moves to II, the handler should move to I.
  • When the judge moves to III, the handler moves to IV.
  • As the judge moves up the horse to IV, the handler returns once more to I.

This method is based on safety, as the handler can keep the hindquarters from swinging toward the judge should the horse become unruly.