Freeze marking, back protectors and showing. Another one for the gurus.

[Callisto]

Hi all,

I am planning on getting DD's pony and the pony we have out on loan freeze marked as soon as I can. DD is planning on showing her Welshie fairly regularly (local shows only though) and I was wondering if a freeze mark would result in the pony being marked down? I want both ponies to have the mark on their necks as it is more obvious there, and DD's pony is grey so I guess the freeze mark will mean that he has a bald mark.

My next question is regarding back protectors in the show ring. My rule with DD is that she doesn't get on her pony unless she is wearing a hat and back protector. However, I notice that no-one else seems to wear them when showing. I know that show ponies are meant to be well behaved, but DD is planning on taking him in a first ridden sans neck strap and grass reins (and me!) and I want her to be wearing her back protector. So will she be marked down for wearing it? Gawd, sorry for all of the uneccessary detail it wasn't meant to be an essay.

Hi,

Freeze marking shouldnt reuslt in you being marked down.
But have you thought of getting them mircochipped? I cant remember what it cost me (sorry!) But it may be worth looking into.
Sorry i cant help with the back protector part,

Yes, I'm getting them both chipped too, but I want a visible deterrant as well. Plus I've heard awful stories about chips being gouged out and hopefully the freeze mark will ensure that is less likely to happen.

I think microchips are great - my greyhound is chipped. But the drawback is that they have to be scanned by a vet. So unless the thief takes the dog/horse to the vet the chip won't make a difference.

My old horse was freeze marked under the saddle, he was placed at county and no judge ever commented on it. Body protectors are just not the done thing in showing except for workers, or at very local level in smaller kids, but to get her started in first ridden, I think that realistically its the sensible thing to do, and if that means writing off the first couple of classes because the has the pro on then you just have to suck it up.
I'll put it bluntly though, as a judge, I would be a bit suspicious of a first ridden pony whose rider needed a body protector, and whilst It wouldnt affect the marks for anything other than turnout which is a minor thing,
I would most definately be keeping a sharp eye on the behaviour of the pony, which is a very major thing in a first ridden class.

I can totally understand why you would expect a first ridden to be well enough behaved for the rider to not need a back protector, thanks for the feedback. I'm under no illusion that they will be placed anyway, it is more the experience for both of them.

My cob was freeze marked under his saddle and won many County classes and the Royal International. Therefore it shouldn't make a difference. In many classes at local level you won't be stripped anyway.

However having him done on his neck seems overkill to me. What is wrong with just under his saddle?

We only have our ponies microchipped. It is very hard to move a pony on without a passport these days. If for stolen for meat - highly unusual with small ponies -they will also ignore freezemarks anyway. If a pony turned up at a sale without a passport the sales company would check the microchip.

Stolen ponies without passports, life histories etc are pretty worthless anyway. Even high quality ponies with passports, microchips and show histories aren't making much money.

I think in modern times a microchip and passport system is sufficient.

DD always rides with a back protector and crash hat with silk at home. However in the show ring she'd only wear her Charles Owen velvet hat (with chin strap). I'd suggest you may be marked down for wearing a back protector but not really sure as I've never seen a child wearing one in a flat class.

For jumping (WHP) you have to wear a protector and of DD where one and that is totally normal.

Must be very scary though letting her go solo for the first time, you will find that judges are very sympathetic for the first few classes until she gets her confidence, you could even look for first year first ridden classes which are specifically for kids just coming off lead rein.
As I said it wouldn't substantially affect the mark I gave unless the pony misbehaved in which case I would mark down regardless.
And I'm sure she will be winning before you know it, and as long as she has fun and is safe, that's the main thing!

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Interesting what you say about freezemarks, Butkin. I'm really worried about DD's pony as we have noticed a certain type of person hanging around and it would be awful if he was stolen. I've come to the conclusion that passports are not really worth the paper they're written on, unless they are tied to the animal from birth by DNA or a chip. DD's old pony has a passport that bears little resemblance to him for instance.

I also think that the certain sector of society that would steal a pony, don't really care whether they get £50 or £500. Microchips are great, as long as they are checked, but a freezemark is a really visible deterrant (I wouldn't want to advertise that the pony is chipped).

Anyway, lots to think about, thanks.

I'd go under saddle looks neater IMO unless there's a valid reason for not. All mine are only chipped though!!

Wrt back protectors, yes I think it's perfectly acceptable at local level to wear one. At bigger shows not so but it is becoming more and more usual. However first ridden ponies should be safe etc. I personally would go with what you feel comfortable with! I wouldnt mark down at local level