Horses that hate to be plaited...?

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Shadowdancing

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I'm going to dressage this weekend, just a little unaffiliated show, just back at intro- she's never been placed in any dressage tests yet so I see no harm in taking a step back!
The last time I plaited my mare she was so badly behaved, throwing her head about and trying to scratch on everything, even half rearing in irritation and only improving as they fell out that I've already decided against it. I don't think it matters so much this time, but in the back of my head I'm thinking that if I ever want to move up any level, this will be an issue.
She really was awful the last couple of times I tried to plait... so I'm hoping to avoid as much as possible.
Do some horses hate it? I've never done it very often so I'm not sure...
 
Shadowdancing said:
I'm going to dressage this weekend, just a little unaffiliated show, just back at intro- she's never been placed in any dressage tests yet so I see no harm in taking a step back!
The last time I plaited my mare she was so badly behaved, throwing her head about and trying to scratch on everything, even half rearing in irritation and only improving as they fell out that I've already decided against it. I don't think it matters so much this time, but in the back of my head I'm thinking that if I ever want to move up any level, this will be an issue.
She really was awful the last couple of times I tried to plait... so I'm hoping to avoid as much as possible.
Do some horses hate it? I've never done it very often so I'm not sure...
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Try a mineral tub for her to lick. Try doing just seven big plaits. This is often less irritating for them than when doing very small plaits as more mane is being held and therefore not so stingy for a sensitive horse.
 
try and make it a pleasant thing to happen, do it a few times a week, just loosely plaiting a few sections down, as she settles, start plaiting them tighter etc
 
Some will find having plaits in tightly rather irritating or even a bit restrictive if they are not used to it, I would ensure that the plaits are fairly loose on the neck, keep them relatively small so you are not stretching the outside hair too far and keep the ends tight so they stay in, use thread to hold them in as you can get them to hold in better without having to use so much tension in the first place.

I would practice at home just plaiting the mane down before going for a hack or doing some schooling so she gets used to the feeling when it doesn't matter, I have never had one object to being plaited, even horses that hated having it pulled but the more sensitive ones will be done a bit more carefully to make sure the hair is not pulled unnecessarily, I very rarely plait the night before as I think it unfair for them to be putting up with it any longer than they need to.

I would leave it loose this time and work on getting her happy over the next few months.
 
There is no essential requirement to plait for dressage at any level so don't worry about being unplaited.

I'd say try the advice above and playing with the number and looseness of the plaits, but not at the cost of an unhappy horse at the comp, maybe try at home when your schooling so you can see what works and also so she doesn't connect being plaited with competing?

But yes I guess some horses are just more sensitive about it than others.
 
be positive said:
Some will find having plaits in tightly rather irritating or even a bit restrictive if they are not used to it, I would ensure that the plaits are fairly loose on the neck, keep them relatively small so you are not stretching the outside hair too far and keep the ends tight so they stay in, use thread to hold them in as you can get them to hold in better without having to use so much tension in the first place.

I would practice at home just plaiting the mane down before going for a hack or doing some schooling so she gets used to the feeling when it doesn't matter, I have never had one object to being plaited, even horses that hated having it pulled but the more sensitive ones will be done a bit more carefully to make sure the hair is not pulled unnecessarily, I very rarely plait the night before as I think it unfair for them to be putting up with it any longer than they need to.

I would leave it loose this time and work on getting her happy over the next few months.
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^Some good ideas there OP

You could initially start by just bunching the hair, rather than plaiting it if she is really bad OP. It will get her used to the idea and the feel, but will be quick and easy for you to do. Also a haynet or something to distract her might be a good idea, especially if she's food orientated. Out of interest, do you pull her mane and how is she with that?
 
Hi thanks for your thoughts everyone, and yes I 'pull' mane but with a solocomb only- she tried to 'kill' (well squash!) the last brave person to try and do that properly! I also 'pull' with a rake at the tail but she doesn't love it... have to be in stages. She is one of those that flings their head to express high irritation and excitement which is why the plaits were short lived last time...!!!
 
Just to add she was worst once the plaiting process was over and all in place, was absolutely cat on hot tin roof with head swinging about till they were all nearly out! Aarg!
 
It sounds as if she has had a bad mane pulling experience. I have a similar pony and it took months of calm consistent grooming and playing around to get to the stage where he now doesn't react at all. He had obviously been ear twitched too but thankfully we are over that as well.
I'll never pull his mane, as he is a childs pony and needs to stand like a rock, but he is perfectly respectable, with a mixture of every method bar pulling.
 
ozpoz said:
It sounds as if she has had a bad mane pulling experience.
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Yes I was wondering the same, which is why I asked about the mane pulling. The worst horses I've ever come across are ones that are naturally sensitive but have had their manes pulled anyway (even just a few things) and now struggle to tolerate anything that pulls too much at the hair. If you really want to plait, I would try some of the suggestions here, particularly bunching or loosely plaiting her mane, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. You could make her look as smart as possible without plaiting by going for a show jumper type mane (i.e. scissor cut and a bit longer).
 
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