Do people plait unaff for dressage or not now?

[maya2008]

I’ve only had natives for ages, so just leave them long and give them a nice brush! Little cob cross had a scraggly mane so I have cut/pulled it today and need to keep thinning it. Just wondering if it actually needs thinning enough to plait, or just enough to look nice as it is!

 

[Zoeypxo]

I always do as i think it looks smarter. Some people dont plait, i dont think it matters too much.

 

[splashgirl45]

I think it’s up to you, some people prefer to have their horses manes plaited but as long as it’s neat and on one side it doesn’t matter. I’ve written for lots of judges at unaffiliated and it makes no difference to the marks but sometimes they said well turned out in the comments

 

[maya2008]

Probably won’t plait if I don’t have to! Now just need to decide how short the forelock should be. Mane is about 5”, forelock currently somewhere near her nose!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Always used to but haven't for several years now. As long as mane is neat and tidy I don't think it matters. I have seen some horrendous plaits over the years!!

 

[humblepie]

We don't dressage now but I had stopped the last couple of years we did as horse also shows so was protecting his mane given that it was being plaited regularly. As above, just be nice and smart.

 

[94lunagem]

I haven’t competed for years but yes I always plaited. Doesn’t technically matter but I think it helps create a good first impression

 

[Cobxfan55]

When I last did dressage at a riding school i have gone back to i do remember seeing some of the ponies and horses were plaited mane and tail it was the same for showjumping if i remember sorry i am not much help but i hope it shed some light in the right direction

 

[Cragrat]

I don't always plait for affiliated dressage, let alone unaffiliated. Clean and tidy always, but plaiting doesn't make a difference to the marks.

 

[Traks]

For a native I wouldn’t bother! Most unaffiliated don’t mind if you don’t so I don’t bother x

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I always used to plait for dressage but the last couple of years I haven't bothered. I don't believe its made any difference to our marks, however we are pretty established. I feel differently with our new, young, irish gelding who needs all the help he can get in the dressage ring, I always plait him

 

[SEL]

Hogged mine yesterday!!

 

[claret09]

no

 

[spacefaer]

I've always plaited for aff and rarely for unaff. I'd plait regardless if the mane was particularly scruffy or lay on both sides

 

[Identityincrisis]

I always keep manes smart and tidy and love that look over plaited so don’t bother

 

[AandK]

It’s been a few years since I’ve done a unaff test (and even longer since I last did BD!) but I always plait.

 

[ihatework]

No, wouldn’t plait for unaff

 

[Polos Mum]

I always do but mine has a mega long mane and I do a 3 min running plat to keep it out of the way of my reins. Enormous tennis balls on his neck would look mental and I wouldn't want to thin, but a running plat is smart and doesn't take long.

I usually plat to ride for the same reason.

 

[Squeak]

I don't unless I have a reason for wanting to look particularly smart or am needing all the marks I can get for a qualifier or something.

I haven't quite managed to stop myself from plaiting for eventing yet but that's next on my list to stop doing!

 

[Vodkagirly]

Some do, some don't. As long as your relatively clean and tidy don't worry

 

[eggs]

I plait but that is more by habit than anything else. Plenty out affiliated who don't plait. Having written for judges non have ever commented on an unplaited horse.

 

[Annagain]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It depends on the venue and hoe much time I have. I definitely don't pull his mane with the aim of being suitable to be plaited though as it then looks terrible for the 99% of the time he's unplaited. It looks too puny for his way neck Golf balls it is!

 

[clairebearnz]

I plait for all dressage but I've got a TB with a thick mane and a scrawny neck so he looks far nicer plaited.