Cutting bridle paths pros/cons ?

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minimex2

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After watching olympia seems the show jumpers bridle paths are very wide. What are the benefits of cutting one in ? - my boy is very sensitive around the poll area and wondered if i would help or hinder or cause more issues when it turns into a mohecan (sp?) if not kept on top of.

thanks in advance.
 
I've never cut one - don't really see the point of them.

Plus the idea of removing some of Apache's 3 foot long mane does horrify me...
 
I have always cut one in, but not wide- just enough for the bridle. It takes a few seconds, and I tidy it up as part of grooming routine. Makes for ease tacking up as I have no mane to contend with or get caught up. I have never had a poll sensitive horse though, so not sure what way it could, or would, affect them.
 
I've always cut a bridle patch on all my horses, but then I was a groom way back and that was what we were taught. I cut them just a little bit wider than the bridle headpiece and regularly trim them. Like misskk88 I've never had a poll sensitive horse.
 
I used to cut one on all of my horses but just haven't bothered with this one and it hasn't been detrimental so don't think I'll bother in the future
 
I cut a bridle inch of about 2in on Ron's mane, just for ease of fitting his bridle comfortably.

We cut a Bridle Mile on tom's mane because his mane is awful (wiry welsh bog brush that runs up his neck!) so it's less brushing, less plaiting, less everything, as well as being easier to fit his bridle.
 
The very long bridlepath is an american thing I think, when the manes are left long, but the bridlepath is cut to show off round the ears and jaw.

I prefer just to cut enough for the headpiece to lie flat.
 
I cut a narrow "path" behind where the headpiece sits so that the bridle sits on flat hair rather than stubble but it allows for a parting to help when pulling the forelock forward.
 
why are some so wide? is there a purpose? curious as my pony came with a gigantic bridle path that went literally 1/4 way down her neck! and starts really high on her poll. I don't know if somebody slipped with the clippers or what but it took ages to grow back and the mane is so thick and crazy there now! (the forelock top I've never grown out as it looks so awful when growing, just had to keep it cut :( ) I get cutting a small one as it makes it easier to get the headpiece on if there's lots on mane, but I don't know why anyone would want to hog such a long path and leave a wimpy bit of mane at the end?.
 
Have always cut a bridle path and will continue to do so :) much neater in appearance and normally is just wider than the headpiece.
Wide ones could be to do with comfort headpieces so may need a larger path?
 
I cut a bridlepath on my cob as otherwise he can slip out of his headcollar when standing tied up, he has a lot of mane and forelock and just slips it off over his head when he gets bored or sees a passing bucket (it may have food in it!).
 
The long bridle paths are an Arabian show thing. It's very American, so is probably not so common in the UK. It is done to show off the fine throat and arch of the neck.

I always cut a short one on my horses so the bridle sits neatly.
 
I cut a narrow bridle path just so that the bridle sits neatly without catching her mane, as she doesn't like it tangled and will toss her head about if it's caught up (understandable!). Barely noticeable as it's the same width as the bridle, I'm not sure how I feel about the long ones! Suits some but not others.
 
I always cut a bridlepath, makes it much neater and easier where the bridle / headcollar sits, also makes plaiting neater ! Don't cut it ridiculously long but it is a lot wider than the bridle, I normally clip it in to make it neater as I always mess it up with scissors !
 
I have never cut one on any of mine and never will do! The wee ginger welsh job came with one that is growing out nicely. I plait the bit under the bridle forwards into the forelock plait. On the shelties it goes forwards too.
 
The very wide bridle paths were an american thing especially for arabs to show off their head..I was told :)

I have bridle paths just a little over the width of the headpiece, for me they serve a purpose not as fashion
 
EKW said:
I have never cut one on any of mine and never will do!
Click to expand...

That sums up my feelings about them too. :) I like the au natural look.

I don't like the extended bridlepaths.
http://www.fam-vanduyvenbode.com/site/media/fotos/Jan/monty/montyreindert/142926-IMG_1676.jpg

I personally think that this (plaiting the section that would normally be clipped) looks nicer and still shows off the head for showing.
http://www.stallionai.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/img063-800x655.jpg
 
i cut mine wider than the headpiece. Probably about 2 inches as the top so her mane doesnt lie diagonally towards her ears which i find it can do if i dont cut wider than an inch or so. Also it does shoe off the top of her neck and her ears as she a very beautiful fine head. I wouldnt want it longer though.

I think the ones that are around 4 inches long and are clipped are more something of a showjumping trend at the moment the same as cutting the mane with scissors in a long blunt chop rather than pulling shorter as the eventers do.
 
Have never cut one in any of my horses, not even the non-natives.
It's so easy to brush the hair tidy before bridling (yes, even with native manes) and if you brush the mane forward between the ears from a point behind where the headpiece sits it acts a bit like a natural poll-guard.
 
brush?
I'm a throw the tack on and go sort of girl at 6.30amish to get back before work! :D Also am not keen on bulking out under his headpiece, I guess when you are using a bit with poll pressure no point in dampening that ;)

I do actually find it makes it easier for plaiting (may be welsh but always plait for hunting/dressage) as it gives a definite cut off for what I should be including in a mane plait and what should go in a forelock one. His forelock is certainly very different hair to his mane too - very soft and downy so am not sure pulling mane forwards into it would work.
 
Orangehorse said:
The very long bridlepath is an american thing I think, when the manes are left long, but the bridlepath is cut to show off round the ears and jaw.

I prefer just to cut enough for the headpiece to lie flat.
Click to expand...

Ive just bought an American pinto with a huge bridlepath. Will grow it back
 
I always clip a bridle path in as i think it looks smarter and less hair to plait! it does seem to get longer and longer over time though so every so often i have to start again and leave a bit of a Mohawk until it grows back!
 
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