Tagging Your Model Horses
Tagging your horses properly is crucial to your success in the show ring. An important thing to understand before reading this section: there is no universal tagging method. Many shows require different formatting on tags, differing tag sizes, etc. So please keep that in mind when reading through this section. I am going to cover the two basic types of tagging in this section.
Always check the show's website to figure out how you need to label your tags. Some common formats are:
Front: Horse Name, Breed, Gender, Your Initials
Back: Blank
Front: Horse Name, Breed, Gender
Back: Your Initials
Front: Breed, Gender
Back: Horse Name, Your Initials
Always check the show's website to figure out how you need to label your tags. Some common formats are:
Front: Horse Name, Breed, Gender, Your Initials
Back: Blank
Front: Horse Name, Breed, Gender
Back: Your Initials
Front: Breed, Gender
Back: Horse Name, Your Initials
String Tagging/Leg Tagging
These tags are the most commonly used types of tags in model showing. Most people use the Avery (#15204) "Strung Marking Tags" sized 1 3/4 x 1 3/32 that can be found nearly anywhere (Wal Mart, Staples, Office Max, Target, etc)
What information do we put on the tags?
CHECK THE SHOW WEBSITE FOR THAT INFORMATION. Many shows require different information on the tags.
How should we fill out the tag?
I personally use blue or black ink that writes consistently. It gives a more professional look if you use black, in my opinion. It really doesn't matter though! When actually inputting the information, I tend to go in the same order that they list the information on the show website. So, if they say "Horse Name, Breed, Gender, Your Initials" I put the horse's name at the top, then the breed, then the gender, and my initials in the bottom right hand corner. Speaking as a judge, it throws me off when someone places the information out of order. I tend to look in the same place on the tag when I'm checking breed assignments. So when I see "Dutch Warmblood" "Danish Warmblood" "Oldenburg" "Heza Hot Rot" "Mecklen--- WAIT WHAT?" I tend to get a little confused. Of course, this does NOT weigh on my overall impression... it's just a bit distracting.
What size should I use?
As I stated in the top section of this category, most people use the White Avery (#15204) "Strung Marking Tags" sized 1 3/4 x 1 3/32 tags. Though I also see green, orange, and pink tags of the same size. Additionally, people will use slightly larger tags if no specific tag size is specified. Do not use overly large tags, be mindful of space constraints, etc.
What information do we put on the tags?
CHECK THE SHOW WEBSITE FOR THAT INFORMATION. Many shows require different information on the tags.
How should we fill out the tag?
I personally use blue or black ink that writes consistently. It gives a more professional look if you use black, in my opinion. It really doesn't matter though! When actually inputting the information, I tend to go in the same order that they list the information on the show website. So, if they say "Horse Name, Breed, Gender, Your Initials" I put the horse's name at the top, then the breed, then the gender, and my initials in the bottom right hand corner. Speaking as a judge, it throws me off when someone places the information out of order. I tend to look in the same place on the tag when I'm checking breed assignments. So when I see "Dutch Warmblood" "Danish Warmblood" "Oldenburg" "Heza Hot Rot" "Mecklen--- WAIT WHAT?" I tend to get a little confused. Of course, this does NOT weigh on my overall impression... it's just a bit distracting.
What size should I use?
As I stated in the top section of this category, most people use the White Avery (#15204) "Strung Marking Tags" sized 1 3/4 x 1 3/32 tags. Though I also see green, orange, and pink tags of the same size. Additionally, people will use slightly larger tags if no specific tag size is specified. Do not use overly large tags, be mindful of space constraints, etc.
Index Cards
Index cards are another popular method of tagging, specifically among judges and show hosts because they don't have to write down your horse's information. They instead take the index card, write the place number on it and place it in an envelope for record keeping.
IMPORTANT: When your horse places, the judge will TAKE YOUR INDEX CARD. So you need to have a lot of extra index cards on hand!
So, if your horse wins his class, he will need to have another written for him for the group callback class. If he wins the Group call back, he will need to have ANOTHER card written for him for the Division call back class. If your show has a Best in Show class, he will need to have ANOTHER card written for that class too! So if your horse performs well, you will need to re-write his information up to 4 or even 5 times.
It is important to remember your horse's name, gender, and breed assignment!
My first Index Card show I actually forgot one of my new horse's names... I had to ask the judge what it was so I could re-make his card... imagine how silly I felt, haha!
How should we fill out the card? What information do we put on the card?
Index Cards work in the exact same way that the Leg Tags do. As stated in the above section, Fill out the information in order that it is listed on the show's website, and make sure that the information is formatted as it is instructed to be on the show's website, with the correct information on the correct side.
IMPORTANT: When your horse places, the judge will TAKE YOUR INDEX CARD. So you need to have a lot of extra index cards on hand!
So, if your horse wins his class, he will need to have another written for him for the group callback class. If he wins the Group call back, he will need to have ANOTHER card written for him for the Division call back class. If your show has a Best in Show class, he will need to have ANOTHER card written for that class too! So if your horse performs well, you will need to re-write his information up to 4 or even 5 times.
It is important to remember your horse's name, gender, and breed assignment!
My first Index Card show I actually forgot one of my new horse's names... I had to ask the judge what it was so I could re-make his card... imagine how silly I felt, haha!
How should we fill out the card? What information do we put on the card?
Index Cards work in the exact same way that the Leg Tags do. As stated in the above section, Fill out the information in order that it is listed on the show's website, and make sure that the information is formatted as it is instructed to be on the show's website, with the correct information on the correct side.
Other Tagging Information and Questions
If you have any questions before the show, e-mail the host or hostess of the show to get things cleared up before-hand so you can be thoroughly prepared for your show.
Why do some shows want your horse's name and initials on the other side of the tag?
To be as brief as possible: There is a lot of favoritism in the model horse hobby... and even more accusations of favoritism. Putting the more personal information on the back keeps the judge focused on what's most important: The breed and gender assignment. It also reassures the show goers that there is no favoritism.
Why do some shows want all the information on one side?
To be as brief as possible: So the judge doesn't have to risk tipping your horse over when flipping the tag to write the results down. It has happened! It's just lower liability for the judge and host/hostess.
For breeds, does it matter if I shorten "Warmblood" to "WB" or anything similar?
No. It does not. Make sure that it's clearly written though! You can shorten the breed "American Paint Horse" to just "Paint" ... but if you put "APHA" please understand that APHA stands for American Paint Horse ASSOCIATION... so you're saying that your horse is actually the association rather than a registered horse... though most judges get the point. Try to steer clear of shortening "Appaloosa" to "Appy" or any other slang terms for breeds.
How do you tag your horses for NAN (the North American Nationals)?
You don't! They do it for you! When you submit all of your information to NAMHSA (North American Model Horse Showers Association) they will make the tags for your horses and give them to you the day of the show. They assign numbers for your horse and type up the breed and gender onto these pre-made tags. The tag size is the 1 3/4 x 1 3/32 size though, if that helps answer the question.
Why do some shows want your horse's name and initials on the other side of the tag?
To be as brief as possible: There is a lot of favoritism in the model horse hobby... and even more accusations of favoritism. Putting the more personal information on the back keeps the judge focused on what's most important: The breed and gender assignment. It also reassures the show goers that there is no favoritism.
Why do some shows want all the information on one side?
To be as brief as possible: So the judge doesn't have to risk tipping your horse over when flipping the tag to write the results down. It has happened! It's just lower liability for the judge and host/hostess.
For breeds, does it matter if I shorten "Warmblood" to "WB" or anything similar?
No. It does not. Make sure that it's clearly written though! You can shorten the breed "American Paint Horse" to just "Paint" ... but if you put "APHA" please understand that APHA stands for American Paint Horse ASSOCIATION... so you're saying that your horse is actually the association rather than a registered horse... though most judges get the point. Try to steer clear of shortening "Appaloosa" to "Appy" or any other slang terms for breeds.
How do you tag your horses for NAN (the North American Nationals)?
You don't! They do it for you! When you submit all of your information to NAMHSA (North American Model Horse Showers Association) they will make the tags for your horses and give them to you the day of the show. They assign numbers for your horse and type up the breed and gender onto these pre-made tags. The tag size is the 1 3/4 x 1 3/32 size though, if that helps answer the question.