I would like to show my 2 year old in a trail in hand class this summer. What’s involved, or rather, what kind of obstacles should we practice? No doubt there’d be trotting in hand, bridge crossing, gate, stepping over logs. Anything else? Also, is it timed or are you and horse judged on how well you negotiate each obstacle? Thanks!
I did it a couple years ago with my 2yo. Practice side passing and backing without touching him over and thru obstacles. I practiced walking over bridges, backing thru “L’s” and side passing over poles. My colt did great until he saw the horse-eating flowers LOL.
Our show circuit has “halter handling” which is what you’re talking about. Other ideas are spray bottle (it’ll have water in it not fly spray), tarp, handler dragging something while leading horse, horse carrying a jacket or slicker. Pick up feet, lead from off side. But our trail classes are not generally what I call “pole classes”. We have the older style obstacles. There may be serpentines around cones (I usually run straight and let the horse serpentine, LOL) . Maybe a small jump (though I hate them unless there are no standards and I don’t have to jump, too). Those are tough because the horse sees you jump and his first reaction might be stop. practice you’re ground exercises; moving hind quarter, forequarter, side passing, backing, ground tying, too! Our shows allow whips or sticks, but the horse that does obstacles with little or no touching will score better than horses that are touched. They are not disqualified for being touched. But your club might be different. It’s been a very popular class at our shows
Sorrelfilly721, love the look on your guy’s face when he checks out the flowers – “uh, those are just NOT right somehow.” 
Aqhadreamer, thanks for sharing that video. What a great way to work with and desensitize a youngster.
