Gypsy Cob clipping - head?

sychnant

sychnant

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I need to clip my Gypsy Cob as he's already got a ridiculously thick coat. Last year I just did a tummy and lower neck clip as it was his first time, and he wasn't in much work.

This year he needs to be working harder as we are doing the BD Gypsy Cob league next year, so I will probably do a blanket clip - but what do I do about his head? Normally I would do a half head but am dubious about clipping off all his beard, especially as it won't have grown back by the time we start competing.

What does everyone else do?
 
I usually have my traddie clipped out, including legs, but leave half of his head, i.e. usually leave a "seam" along the cheek-piece line of the bridle, which means that his "beard" is normally taken off but we leave his whiskers as I believe that's important for them.

This last time we clipped him (I always have him professionally done), he seemed fine with it so we did his head as well - just left his ears. He looks lovely, BUT, for some reason, he's been shaking his head a lot since, I just wish I knew why this is.

But he does look lovely tho'!!
 
Will you be doing cob classes? In which case, you can clip him all off. If not, I'd risk a half head and hope it grows back well enough for competition time. If I clip my very hairy thing, it grows back within three months. You could try to disguise a line if it's still obvious with a razor blade/hairdressing scissors.
 
Thanks guys. Would prefer to do a half head really, but my first BD will be in January - sounds like the beard might grow back by then though.

I'm not sure how strict they will be on Gypsy Cob turnout at BD - he will still have feather and huge mane, so hopefully a clipped beard won't matter?
 
sychnant said:
I'm not sure how strict they will be on Gypsy Cob turnout at BD - he will still have feather and huge mane, so hopefully a clipped beard won't matter?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have thought that it will matter in the slightest at BD - it's performance that matters. Obv they will be expecting manes and feathers, but turnout shouldn't affect marks as it dressage,not showing.
 
If you have a look on BD website explains it but short version is:

Cob needs to be registered to Traditional Gypsy Cob Association
Classes are Intro, Prelim and Novice
You can qualify at any BD competition, you need 2 scores above 60% and can qualify at two levels.
Championship is at Keysoe on the 17th October.

I have probably forgotten something but that's the main bits.
 
We are only doing the Intro classes - we have done 2 Unaffiliated this year, and are hoping to do a couple more before Christmas.

bensmum has the gist of it, you just go along to any BD - which is great, but the nearest centre to me doesn't want to add an Intro class, so I will be travelling 1 1/2 hours each time. Which, when your class is usually the first one, means some very early starts!

I'm hoping we will be confident to do some unaffiliated Prelims towards the end of next year, with a view to doing BD Prelim in 2017. I'm just so excited to finally have a horse to affiliate!
 
Done it! Not the best photo - please excuse the headcollar - but hopefully you can see how elegant his head looks now!

WP_20151009_002_zpscrelzcs8.jpg
 
Seriously nice looking horse OP-he has a lovely face 😊 definitely a good idea to lose the beard!
 
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