question about drugs at shows, from a complete non- horse person

[RockingJ]

It could be perfectly innocent, but there are also unsavory and/or illegal things that go on at horse shows.

I rode saddleseat for a number of years, as a kid and as an adult, primarily due to availability of options. I showed a bit as an adult, and the bigger Saddlebred barns are generally going to be focused on getting the clients to show and spend money. I agree with others to look for something with more a broader outlook toward horsemanship, etc. As far as your investment, if you decide to look elsewhere, you can probably sell the show clothes, and your daughter can ride in the same boots and pants anywhere.

I did not have my own horse growing up - there was no money for that sort of thing. Looking back, I love that my I was able to experience a variety of horse-related activities. Starting out, I rode at a barn that was convenient, and then as I got older, I switched barns to try jumping.

There is nothing wrong with trying different barns in the area - see if there’s something different that your daughter enjoys, or makes you more comfortable, or is better option cost-wise.

I am guessing your daughter is still fairly young, as she was in a lead line class? With it being summer now, there may be camp or day camp options? Look around, ask questions, call a local equine vet and ask if they have can provide any recommendations. If there is a tack shop in the area, visit or give them a call.

[NoSuchPerson]

@Palm Beach

So what kind of little local show needs 8 year old lead liners in hair and makeup, and requires an expensive purchase of show clothing after just a few months of lessons?

Most of them, if you ride saddleseat. My older niece went through a saddleseat phase. Even leadline at the local show venue at the county fairgrounds required make-up and full outfit (jods, coat, shirt, tie, vest, and bowler hat).

Also, “expensive” means different things to different people. I think most of us horse people have a somewhat skewed version of “expensive.” Compared to the cost, say, of playing YMCA soccer, even the cheapest of riding gear is expensive.

[NoSuchPerson]

@RockingJ

I agree with others to look for something with more a broader outlook toward horsemanship, etc.

I don’t think we have enough information to be quite so judgmental. For many years, in the town in Kentucky where I once lived, the very best stable for kids to learn basic horsemanship and riding was with a great woman who rode and taught saddleseat.

[RockingJ]

@NoSuchPerson

I don’t think we have enough information to be quite so judgmental. For many years, in the town in Kentucky where I once lived, the very best stable for kids to learn basic horsemanship and riding was with a great woman who rode and taught saddleseat.

You’re right, and I was making a couple of assumptions based on my own experiences. There are some wonderful saddleseat barns, trainers, and programs. There could be great opportunities for OP’s daughter where she is currently, she may make lifelong friends, and it could lead to amazing things.

[Scribbler]

@NoSuchPerson

Most of them, if you ride saddleseat. My older niece went through a saddleseat phase. Even leadline at the local show venue at the county fairgrounds required make-up and full outfit (jods, coat, shirt, tie, vest, and bowler hat).

Also, “expensive” means different things to different people. I think most of us horse people have a somewhat skewed version of “expensive.” Compared to the cost, say, of playing YMCA soccer, even the cheapest of riding gear is expensive.

IMHO any discipline that requires children to wear makeup has lost the plot and is going into Little Miss Sunshine territory.

[vxf111]

@Scribbler

IMHO any discipline that requires children to wear makeup has lost the plot and is going into Little Miss Sunshine territory.

To be fair, in that discipline everyone is all made up—adults and kids.

[JenEM]

@Palm Beach

So what kind of little local show needs 8 year old lead liners in hair and makeup, and requires an expensive purchase of show clothing after just a few months of lessons?

At first I would have assumed “doing hair” meant putting it in braids, since that’s pretty universal in leadline here, then I got to make up and went I usually see leadline clothing passed around, too, since kids outgrow it so quickly. Like I know my trainer’s niece already has dibs on the stuff her daughter is wearing this year, since it’ll be outgrown by next season. I think it’s much more common to borrow/pass around stuff within barns than buy brand new, so I’m surprised that wasn’t an option for the OP, since it sounds like the barn has a pretty fastrack lesson-to-showing pipeline.

As others have mentioned, OP, the syringe could have been anything from a joint injection to a sedative to something for colic (which I might suspect, if I were being generous, given the “laying down” description). In non-saddlebred land, I’d have probably guessed it was something like a little Ace, which is a mild sedative that is prohibited for showing, but not shocking to see someone giving a leadline animal you want to be quiet and well behaved. But saddlebreds tend to want animated, so I’m not sure they’d use a sedative?

Others have mentioned looking at Pony Club. You may also want to consider 4H, too, which in some areas can have a quite good horse program. Can you tell us what general area you are, maybe someone on here can make suggestions for you

[Small_Change]

@vxf111

To be fair, in that discipline everyone is all made up—adults and kids.

And horses

[HannahsMom7]

My daughter was in Pony Club. this can be a huge money making opportunity for the barn that has a Pony Club with members who don’t own horses. I had to pay for lessons and eventually pay to use pony in show. The Pony Club website will have a lot of information on it. I have seen pony ride ponies getting tranquilized to be quiet to be used. Abuse is all over the horse world. Some trainers may be better than others, but for some it is all about winning.

[hoopoe]

QUOTE "Pretty much nothing that’s given by injection is going to be anything other than clear or maybe very rarely milky white. " end Quote

Ace and B vitamins can be bright yellow

When OP said the product was clear, I thought “Good”. If it were yellow I would guess Ace and a sedated pony is NOT a safe pony

OP you will find that one of the overarching issues in the horse world is the reluctance to converse with trainers. People are seemingly unwilling to seek information for fear of being seen as a trouble maker. It is an odd mindset.

[Toblersmom]

@vxf111

To be fair, in that discipline everyone is all made up—adults and kids.

Saddleseat and Western Pleasure always have a theatrical, dance recital sort of vibe to me. Not my thing, but I’m sure if my kidlet had been exposed to all the sparklies and polish and lipstick at that age, she’d be begging me to do it.

[Bluey]

Also, if money is a concern, look into 4H horsemanship clubs.

Those have kids with horses and without, siblings sharing horses, locals providing horses when a kid is ready for one, etc. and no one has to dress up for the shows, other than with neat, clean, everyday clothes.

One more option out there in many places.

[PonyPenny]

@Palm Beach

So what kind of little local show needs 8 year old lead liners in hair and makeup, and requires an expensive purchase of show clothing after just a few months of lessons?

I know. This sounds like a troll post. I mean really, a trainer walking around with a syringe.

[Alk123]

@JenEM

At first I would have assumed “doing hair” meant putting it in braids, since that’s pretty universal in leadline here, then I got to make up and went I usually see leadline clothing passed around, too, since kids outgrow it so quickly. Like I know my trainer’s niece already has dibs on the stuff her daughter is wearing this year, since it’ll be outgrown by next season. I think it’s much more common to borrow/pass around stuff within barns than buy brand new, so I’m surprised that wasn’t an option for the OP, since it sounds like the barn has a pretty fastrack lesson-to-showing pipeline.

As others have mentioned, OP, the syringe could have been anything from a joint injection to a sedative to something for colic (which I might suspect, if I were being generous, given the “laying down” description). In non-saddlebred land, I’d have probably guessed it was something like a little Ace, which is a mild sedative that is prohibited for showing, but not shocking to see someone giving a leadline animal you want to be quiet and well behaved. But saddlebreds tend to want animated, so I’m not sure they’d use a sedative?

Others have mentioned looking at Pony Club. You may also want to consider 4H, too, which in some areas can have a quite good horse program. Can you tell us what general area you are, maybe someone on here can make suggestions for you

I live in mid Missouri
I feel uncomfortable talking about what exact show and barn because I don’t want to be underhand. The Barn owner has only been kind to me and my daughter.
I’m a pretty casual and gentle person, so maybe the saddleseat world is just not for me. I know that dogs and horses are different, but I’m a dog person, and got my dog trained to do what I like based on being kind and empathetic, having a relationship with her, and she wants to listen to me and does listenl. i want the barn where my daughter goes to for lessons to be similar–hopefully that kind of thing exists --happy horses that do things because they’re ready and willing and like to do what they’re doing. I just bought a lesson package right before the show, so we have about 6 lessons left.

I looked up pony club and there is one in my city. I just emailed them asking about it, and about lesson barn recommendations.

Thank you all for your help, suggestions, and opinions.

[fordtraktor]

@PonyPenny

I know. This sounds like a troll post. I mean really, a trainer walking around with a syringe.

hahahahha. That was sarcasm, right?

anyway, I would guess maybe the horse was a little off and got some Banamine. Trainer didn’t want to tell young kid it was sick and worry her so she said it was tired.

or a sedative. Even saddleseat people want their lead line kids on safe steady eddies! I know because at open shows they used to borrow my QH mare sometimes if the parent’s horse was too hot. Whatever the reason, the tired excuse is just that. No one at a local show wants leadliners on fire breathing dragons.

I don’t think a little ace is end of the world myself for a leadline horse at a tiny unrated local show if it came out of the barn too up. For the record I have never ever aced a horse to show, or even given a calming supplement, but there is far worse they can do to a horse to get the edge off (longeing it for hours, tying head up, denying water). I would keep my eyes open, though, and continue asking questions!

horses are different than dogs. Keep in mind that horses are prey/ flight animals. Their nerves can easily override their desire to please, even though horses DO want to please. Horses are reactive and you want first and foremost for your daughter to be safe. The horses in your daughter’s program may or may not be happy, but be cautious about reading too much into a horse’s feelings based on its performance. Most of the ones that never react at all are bored and overworked, not happy.

[Alk123]

@PonyPenny

I know. This sounds like a troll post. I mean really, a trainer walking around with a syringe.

I promise I’m not a troll.

[Bluey]

@Alk123

I promise I’m not a troll.

I believe you.
After you know the horse world better, you may understand why most respectable trainers don’t walk around with syringes or beer bottles and why such a comment was giving some pause.

Good luck any way you decide to go.

[Alk123]

@Scribbler

IMHO any discipline that requires children to wear makeup has lost the plot and is going into Little Miss Sunshine territory.

Loved that movie

[iberianfan]

Can I be the 3rd or 4th to suggest 4H? We had a great 4H Horse and Pony club and my daughter was quite involved. There were picnics, overnight campout, fun shows with ride-a-buck,as well as showmanship and regular under saddle classes. The county and state shows were huge and I’ve never seen so many kids having fun with horses. You don’t have to have a horse to join and you can learn a lot, just from the programs they put on and the speakers they have in. And IIRC, it’s all free.

[Palm_Beach]

@PonyPenny

I know. This sounds like a troll post. I mean really, a trainer walking around with a syringe.

OP states she is not a troll, but for a “complete non-horse person” she is pretty savvy. Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.