Holland Lop Posing Guide
This picture guide shows the correct Holland Lop pose and provides examples of common incorrect poses. For the purpose of keeping things basic, I am using only very simple, easy to understand guidelines.
Why pose? As posing is the means we use to evaluate Holland Lops, it is important to know how to pose your rabbit correctly. While some qualities of the rabbit can be evaluated while the rabbit is in a natural/relaxed position, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a Holland that is not properly posed. All 4-H and show rabbits will be posed by the judge when he is evaluating a class, so if you expect your rabbit to be well-behaved and pose easily on the show table, it is important to work on posing at home! Furthermore, in 4-H shows, you will want to pose up your rabbit yourself while waiting for the judge.
The photo examples below show Holland Lops in both correct and incorrect poses. Note that I do not cover how to place your rabbit in a pose, as there are many ways to go about this. Generally, you can simply place one hand behind its rump and use the other to gently lift its chin. At the bottom of this article, I have included several other posing links, some of which describe how to help your rabbit into the pose.
Why pose? As posing is the means we use to evaluate Holland Lops, it is important to know how to pose your rabbit correctly. While some qualities of the rabbit can be evaluated while the rabbit is in a natural/relaxed position, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a Holland that is not properly posed. All 4-H and show rabbits will be posed by the judge when he is evaluating a class, so if you expect your rabbit to be well-behaved and pose easily on the show table, it is important to work on posing at home! Furthermore, in 4-H shows, you will want to pose up your rabbit yourself while waiting for the judge.
The photo examples below show Holland Lops in both correct and incorrect poses. Note that I do not cover how to place your rabbit in a pose, as there are many ways to go about this. Generally, you can simply place one hand behind its rump and use the other to gently lift its chin. At the bottom of this article, I have included several other posing links, some of which describe how to help your rabbit into the pose.
The Correct Pose
A correct pose will both show off the Holland's strong points and reveal its faults. Ideally, the rabbit's eyes will be in line with the top of its back and its front feet, forming a 90 ̊ angle (shown in red). The tip of its nose will be in line with, or slightly in front of its front feet (shown in blue). Its front and back feet will be close together, but not squished. The four photos below illustrate various Hollands in a correct pose.
The Incorrect Pose
It's not uncommon to end up with an incorrect pose. This can be especially frustrating if you don't know what you're doing wrong! A incorrect pose is often the result of an inexperienced poser, or an inexperienced, stubborn, or frightened rabbit. (Note too, that some Hollands who can't seem to pose may simply have too many faults to physically sit in the proper position.) The problem with incorrect poses is that they can easily hide or accentuate faults and strong points, making an accurate evaluation impossible. With practice and patience, you'll eventually achieve that lovely Holland pose! Below are some examples of common incorrect poses and what causes them.
Overpose. If a rabbit's body has been squished up too much, we call it an overpose. This is often indicated by its front and back feet being unnaturally close together. The two rabbits below are both overposed. Note that in both cases, the rabbit's eyes are also well above the top of its back, since the rabbit is sitting up too high.
Underpose. A rabbit that is not sitting up high enough is underposed. Both of the photos below show this. Note that the rabbit's eyes fall below the top of its back, and that its body appears much longer than it should be.
No pose. This may seem obvious, but some positions are just too "off" to be called a pose. The rabbits in the photos below are quite simply "not posed", as the photos do not properly represent the rabbits.
Other Posing Helps
Posing Holland Lops - Video by Laura Freeman
Posing Holland Lop Rabbits for Show and Judging - Article by Laurie Stroupe
Proper Posing and Evaluation - Article by Josh Humphries
Posing Holland Lop Rabbits for Show and Judging - Article by Laurie Stroupe
Proper Posing and Evaluation - Article by Josh Humphries