Calling all Showing Divas! The season is calling our name...

Oh I missed this thread!!

So I came to the conclusion last year that my spotty one will only compete at the breed shows now because he’s just too marmite. However I did add a new member to my herd last year who be taking over to scratch my showing itch instead 🤩

If I can make it work with my rota, I’d love to get her to Windsor and Bucks County, as well as some of the breed shows. But we’ll most certainly be doing some of the local ones. I’m excited to take her out again after her debut last year. IMG_8237.jpeg
 
I've tentatively booked the day off work for Penistone show in September.

However, I'm having real problems with Bo's (fell pony) mane at the moment so I've a lot of work to do before then.

His mane is really brittle and the hair pulls out from the roots ridiculously easy. I've tried supplementing with biotin as suggested by my vet, and I've tried regular use of MTG, but its still so weak that I daren't brush it. I have to put cowboy magic on and tease any knots out gently with my fingers.

He's also got new hair growth sitting over the top. Frankly its an absolute mess!
 
southerncomfort said:
I've tentatively booked the day off work for Penistone show in September.

However, I'm having real problems with Bo's (fell pony) mane at the moment so I've a lot of work to do before then.

His mane is really brittle and the hair pulls out from the roots ridiculously easy. I've tried supplementing with biotin as suggested by my vet, and I've tried regular use of MTG, but its still so weak that I daren't brush it. I have to put cowboy magic on and tease any knots out gently with my fingers.

He's also got new hair growth sitting over the top. Frankly it’s an
Click to expand...
The best you can do for your fell ponies mane is to leave it alone. Hair growth etc comes from what you’re feeding so consider if he needs an additional supplement. Brushing will do more harm than good. Think about ponies you see out on the fell, no one brushes their manes. If you leave it and only tease out after applying some spray on conditioner you should notice a difference in a few months.
 
gallopingby said:
The best you can do for your fell ponies mane is to leave it alone. Hair growth etc comes from what you’re feeding so consider if he needs an additional supplement. Brushing will do more harm than good. Think about ponies you see out on the fell, no one brushes their manes. If you leave it and only tease out after applying some spray on conditioner you should notice a difference in a few months.
Click to expand...

I think maybe you missed the part of my post where I stated that I don't brush it, but tease knots out with my fingers and cowboy magic. If I brushed it, he'd be bald! 😃

He's on vits and mins and I've tried supplementing with biotin as I mentioned above. No help unfortunately. The hair is just very, very loose at the follicles and comes away with the lightest pressure.
 
Last edited:
southerncomfort said:
I think maybe you missed the part of my post where I stated that I don't brush it, but tease knots out with my fingers and cowboy magic. If I brushed it, he'd be bald! 😃

He's on vits and mins and I've tried supplementing with biotin as I mentioned above. No help unfortunately. The hair is just very, very loose at the follicles and comes away with the lightest pressure.
Click to expand...
Woah!! bit sensitive. Biotin takes a while to work so l’d keep adding it to the feed. Some bloodlines don’t have huge manes maybe have a look at others with the same bloodlines …..and remember fell ponies aren’t judged on the length of their mane. If your pony has correct conformation and moves well and is nicely schooled you should do better than one with a long mane which doesn’t cover the ground.
 
I can send you some of mine @southerncomfort
Do you think he might have a bit of low grade sweet itch subliminal? Inflammation and itching might make the hair like that and it's fairly common in Fells.
I'd like to take mine out this year to some local shows as she's the only Fell so would look a bit different amongst the sea of Welsh. I need to first crack the travelling, wash her tail without either of us dying, buy a velvet hat. Listed in order if difficulty. I bought a lovely green tweed caldene jacket though.

I'll probably stay inhand.
I know they show the Welsh cobs in trainers but could I get away with this for a Fell as her trot is insane.
 
Cloball said:
I can send you some of mine @southerncomfort
Do you think he might have a bit of low grade sweet itch subliminal? Inflammation and itching might make the hair like that and it's fairly common in Fells.
I'd like to take mine out this year to some local shows as she's the only Fell so would look a bit different amongst the sea of Welsh. I need to first crack the travelling, wash her tail without either of us dying, buy a velvet hat. Listed in order if difficulty. I bought a lovely green tweed caldene jacket though.

I'll probably stay inhand.
I know they show the Welsh cobs in trainers but could I get away with this for a Fell as her trot is insane.
Click to expand...
I dont really look at peoples feet much!! So cant see why you couldnt get away with black trainers? Although unless they are trail running or football ones, they probably wont even be as grippy as dealer boots?
 
Cloball said:
I know they show the Welsh cobs in trainers but could I get away with this for a Fell as her trot is insane.
Click to expand...

I think you would be OK in trainers. I try to get plain black trainers so they don;t stand out. I also have a pair 'just for showing' so they don't get tatty.

I don't recommend memory foam soles on long grass on a wet day - rookie error! 🤣
 
At
gallopingby said:
Woah!! bit sensitive. Biotin takes a while to work so l’d keep adding it to the feed. Some bloodlines don’t have huge manes maybe have a look at others with the same bloodlines …..and remember fell ponies aren’t judged on the length of their mane. If your pony has correct conformation and moves well and is nicely schooled you should do better than one with a long mane which doesn’t cover the ground.
Click to expand...
local level maybe but at some of the class of shows mentioned there's zero point in entering without the animals looking the part.
Sad buts that's showing. You and the horse need to be 100 presented as class standard aswell.
A chunk of missing mane isnt going to win you a class.
 
Crackerz said:
wiltshireshow.co.uk

Wiltshire Show Schedule | Wiltshire Show

Wiltshire Spring Show Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March 2026 We look forward to welcoming you back to our spring show in March 2026, please see below for our 2025 results.
wiltshireshow.co.uk

Schedule not out yet but the Sat & Sun timetables are downloadable :)
Click to expand...

I might be able to do a couple of open in hand classes with one of mine on the Saturday.
 
jhoward said:
At
local level maybe but at some of the class of shows mentioned there's zero point in entering without the animals looking the part.
Sad buts that's showing. You and the horse need to be 100 presented as class standard aswell.
A chunk of missing mane isnt going to win you a class.
Click to expand...
I agree the turnout must be correct and that includes mane and tail but in some breeds there’s almost an obsession with having the longest most flowing mane and tail which isn’t always correct. At local level it’s always a lottery as anyone can be asked to judge. The trick with showing anything is to know what the judge likes not what you think of your animal.
 
dorsetladette said:
I think you would be OK in trainers. I try to get plain black trainers so they don;t stand out. I also have a pair 'just for showing' so they don't get tatty.

I don't recommend memory foam soles on long grass on a wet day - rookie error! 🤣
Click to expand...
I've got khaki trail trainers that wouldnt stand out in grass or black walking boots that I can run in much better than my stock mans.
 
Cloball said:
I can send you some of mine @southerncomfort
Do you think he might have a bit of low grade sweet itch subliminal? Inflammation and itching might make the hair like that and it's fairly common in Fells.
I'd like to take mine out this year to some local shows as she's the only Fell so would look a bit different amongst the sea of Welsh. I need to first crack the travelling, wash her tail without either of us dying, buy a velvet hat. Listed in order if difficulty. I bought a lovely green tweed caldene jacket though.

I'll probably stay inhand.
I know they show the Welsh cobs in trainers but could I get away with this for a Fell as her trot is insane.
Click to expand...

You've made me think actually! I don't see him rub particularly, however he gets so hot even in the middle of winter, its quite possible that he feels itchy when he's hot.

I had planned to fully clip him, but I've been off games for 6 weeks so didn't think it was worth it. Planning to start riding this week, so might get him clipped and see if being cooler helps! 🙂
 
gallopingby said:
Woah!! bit sensitive. Biotin takes a while to work so l’d keep adding it to the feed. Some bloodlines don’t have huge manes maybe have a look at others with the same bloodlines …..and remember fell ponies aren’t judged on the length of their mane. If your pony has correct conformation and moves well and is nicely schooled you should do better than one with a long mane which doesn’t cover the ground.
Click to expand...

Not sensitive at all..genuinely thought you didn't see it.

Thanks for the advice anyway. He's picked up some rosettes and a sash locally but this would be a big show for him, so I'm in 2 minds at the moment.

I've ordered some more biotin, maybe I didn't give it long enough.
 
southerncomfort said:
You've made me think actually! I don't see him rub particularly, however he gets so hot even in the middle of winter, its quite possible that he feels itchy when he's hot.

I had planned to fully clip him, but I've been off games for 6 weeks so didn't think it was worth it. Planning to start riding this week, so might get him clipped and see if being cooler helps! 🙂
Click to expand...

Has he got a neck cover on? That will make his mane come out of he's too hot.
 
@southerncomfort You could try megatek shampoo as well, not sure there's much evidence but it smells lovely and can be left in. If I could find my bottle somewhere you could gave it.

Mine has been incredibly itchy this year. Its all well and good saying don't turn their manes but D keeps actual turf sods in hers.
 
Cloball said:
@southerncomfort You could try megatek shampoo as well, not sure there's much evidence but it smells lovely and can be left in. If I could find my bottle somewhere you could gave it.

Mine has been incredibly itchy this year. Its all well and good saying don't turn their manes but D keeps actual turf sods in hers.
Click to expand...

As soon as Bo's mane gets wet it twists in to hundreds of thin dreadlocks. 🙄

I'll have a Google of Megatek, thanks!
 
@southerncomfort I use alva mane and tail conditioner on my ponies. I have one who's mane is really fine but a lot of it (think thelwell) and it ringlets/dreadlock's as soon as it's damp. I've used the alva dazzle on his mane with some success.

alvamlmltd.com

AlvaDazzle 250ml - with spray top

250ml , Supplied with special misting spray top, compatible only with 250ml bottles ALVADAZZLE Conditions the mane, tail and feathers to give a silky- soft and tangle-free finish. Containing pure Lavender Oil and our unique conditioner. Excellent as a detangler on dry ma
alvamlmltd.com alvamlmltd.com

They are no longer an MLM business so your just buying at retail price these days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top