Competition turnout- manes and tails always plaited?

[allytjd]

I am helping out a friend who in working on an animated series featuring kids and horses. My horse knowledge, once extensive, is a bit out of date. My friend would like to know if all horses competing in high level junior show-jumping comps would have their manes (and tails) plaited or if some would be left 'natural'. I would be grateful for any info, we are trying to avoid too many mistakes (not easy when working with animators overseas!).

Oh the hours I used to spend practising on stubbly pony manes!

 

[LouS]

I would say very few show jumping ponies would be plaited. Most pulled short or scissor cut.

 

[RobinHood]

We run junior and senior British Showjumping and they are all unplaited.

 

[allytjd]

Thanks for replying, I got the impression that plaiting was no longer required apart from dressage comps and turnout competitions. That will save us a lot of work re-doing the manes!

 

[dafthoss]

Dressage, showing and eventing seem to be the only places you see plaited horses these days. Showjumpers seem to go for the scissored mane and a pulled and squared off tail.

 

[MagicMelon]

I would say very few show jumping ponies would be plaited. Most pulled short or scissor cut.

I agree. Its not really 'done' to plait at all anymore for junior or senior showjumping at any level.

 

[LiveryList]

Agree, definately unplaited