​Miniature Horse Federation Inc.

COMMAND RESPONSE - Youth

 

 

 

The horse is NOT to be judged on conformation or quality of movement.  This discipline is to be judged solely on the horse’s willingness and response to each exercise.

 

 

Course

 

Our Youth Command Response has been set up similar to Showmanship. Instead of following a set pattern, competitors will be given instructions by the judge or steward as they go.

• The judge will choose 4 to 5 commands from the list below.

• Commands will be selected to suit the age group (for example, Tiny Tots will not be asked to trot or pivot).

• Each competitor will respond immediately to the instructions given.

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Possible Commands:

• Walk on 6–10 steps

• Trot on 6–10 steps

• Increase pace at the trot 6–10 steps

• Decrease pace at the trot 6–10 steps

• Walk 6–10 steps

• Halt

• From halt, back 4–6 steps and halt

• From halt, trot off

• From trot, halt

• Pivot

• Present horse to judge

 

 

Commands may be communicated to the horse through voice, by hand signals and pointing.

 

If on the second attempt the horse fails to complete an exercise, is it to continue to the next exercise.

 

Scoring

 

Horses are to be given a score of 50 with penalties taken off and highest points in consecutive places

 

Horses are to be given credit for

• Maintaining the same position to the handler

• Maintaining light contact through the lead

• Willingness and evenness of going

• An alert co-operative attitude

 

Penalties – 4 points for

 

• The handler touching the horse or the horse touching the handler

• Pulling or dragging on the lead by either the horse or the handler

• Horse running away from the handler

• Refusal to move when directed by the handler

• Aggressively shaking of the lead rope to intimidate horse to move away by the handler

• Physically pushing the horse or poking the horse to make it move in any direction

• Backing horse by aggressively shaking the lead rope

• The horse showing fear or resentment towards the handler throughout the course

• Swinging the lead rope threateningly

 

Disqualification

• If at any time a handler strikes the horse

• Carrying a whip

• Blatant disobedience of horse (kicking out, bucking, rearing, striking)

• Having a bit in the horse’s mouth

• Leaving arena without permission of the Judge or Steward

• Exhibitor disrespectful towards the judge(s)

 

Equipment

 

• Halters can be made of leather, plastic or webbing that sits flat against the horse’s head and across the nose.  No buckle is to be on the noseband. Rope halters are allowed as long as the knots are not positioned to be used as pressure point areas on the horse’s head and face, for example knots should not be on the bridge of the nose they can be to each side. Knots cannot be behind the poll.

• The lead can be flat as in webbing or rounded and must attach under the chinstrap.  The lead attachment can be a loop, which the lead threads back through or it can be a clip with a swivel.  The lead must not be shorter than 1.8 metres (6 feet) and it should not be longer than 2.4 metres (8 feet).

 

 

Prohibited Equipment

 

• Whips or any other object other than stated in Acceptable equipment

• Chains either in mouth, under or over face of the horse, nor can they be attached to the lead

• Bridles and bits

• Wrapping of any kind anywhere on the halter that could conceal any pressure knots or objects

• Any gear that is used for a head check.

 

Appropriate Attire for Handler

 

• As in all MHF Inc Shows the handlers must be dressed according to the show rules dress code.