Would this Halter be OK to show in?

http://www.ridendrive.co.uk/acatalog/rambo%20supreme%20leather%20headcollar.jpg

My girl is a chestnut based few spot, a yearling, and I would like to do some showmanship classes with her.
I already have this headcollar, and its pretty much unused, I don't really want to buy an expensive one that she will most likely grow out of.

Hi there!
Personally, I don't do Showmanship, but I do show Halter... and spend many hours getting my child ready for HER showmanship classes... so I can hopefully tell you a little about it that would help...

First off, as long as that halter fits your horse that closely and it is sparkling clean with no dust/grease or mud, then yes, you can show in that halter.

The "blinged" up silver deals we all spend silly money on are NOT a requirement... as in any western class "clean, well fitting, leather tack" are the terms that we MUST adhere to.

Having said that, do make sure the halter fits snug all along under the jaw line, snug round the nose, about two fingers width from the big sticky out cheek bone bit, and that the cheek pieces are as level as possible, they should be a horizontal line down the side of the horses face, not sloping up to the nose or down to the lower jaw... basically don't let it hang loose like an English leather headcollar you'd use to get your horse from the field.

And you will need a matching (close as poss) leather lead with a chain, you can't do showmanship with a cotton rope,or any any lead just attached to the ring underneath. Spend some time getting your filly used to the sound and feel of the chain at home, it will help her realize it's not going to bite her in the ring!

Other than that, it's all about presentation, clip/trim all face hair, inc eyelashes and jaw/jowl, bridle path, fetlocks, coronet band, super slick the coat down, whiten white bits with cornflour... works better/easier then chalk, oil up dark points, ie eyes, muzzle, knees, hocks, and then make sure you are immaculate, wear a good, clean, well shaped hat, and try to match boots with pants... looks more together, and doesn't draw attention to feet! Oh and above all else.. SMILE! Does wonders.

Have a blast, post pics when your all dressed up?

That is the exact headcollar i showed my Appy in, and it looked fab, being an appy i didnt think there was any need for all the bling when she was nicely marked and looked pretty anyway.

i never got any negative comments, and as the WES rule book says something to do that having posh tack will not place you higher thanhaving good functional working tack, but in better words than that

I am glad to hear (read?) the above posts, as I plan to try my chestnut & white cob at showmanship next year, and the halter you are using would really suit him. I was a bit worried cos these blinged up show halters seem so expensive, and I know my boy would look silly in one, he is stunning as he is!!

However, as a gypsy cob with main/tail and feather to boot, I shall not be clipping all his beautifullnes off, although he does have his tail thinned, and beared shaved!!!

At the risk of admiting my guilty secret - My "blinged up" halter was £25 new from ebay!!!!!!
It admittedly needed a considerable amount of neatsfoot oiling to get it supple and shiny, but it came with the correct chain/leather strap lead and my QH looks fab in it! he was wearing it when my old instructor from the states saw him in it and she said, "thats a nice one where did it come from" - so she couldnt tell it was cheap!!


However, I totally agree with the other posters that there is no need for the silver trimed affairs, as long as its leather and it fits well, the one in the photo looks really nice - good luck with the show!

Thank you everyone

I Shall keep this halter than.

Do I really need a chain?

My girl hates any sort of pressure around her jaw, she can only tolerate a headcollar or a rope halter.
The halter in the picture has a matching leadrope, would i get away with that? (its braided leather)