Is it wrong to cut a bridle path on a native pony?

[haras]

I'm off to my first ever show this weekend with my 20 year old new forest pony.

My pony is retired from ridden work, due to arthritis in her hock, so we will be doing in hand classes. She has a fairly thick mane that bunches up when her bridle is put on, but would it be wrong to cut a small bridle path?

Thanks!

 

[Cop-Pop]

You aren't meant to cut them

My pony's mane is really thick too (Sec A) so I wet her mane a little before hand. She's shown in a white halter though, not a bridle.

 

[rara007]

I think it would look better without a bridle path TBH, I'm sure if you part the hair well it will be OK, we have never had a problem with Shetties with very thick manes.

 

[marlyclay]

Go ahead and cut a bridlepath .Unless you are showing at county level it won't make any difference.And even then i have know native breeds to be discretly trimmed.What class are you entering?If your pony has arthritis in her hock make sure she isn't showing obvious stifness or the judge may question her soundness.Are there any classes for veterans,a judge may be more understanding if she looks a little stiff on her hock.

 

[brighteyes]

Never do it to ANY horse! Horrid, horrid practice and unless you keep them almost to the skin, must be very uncomfortable for the horse when wearing a bridle if you think about it!

 

[SNORKEY]

Hi, a small bridle path wont hurt, good luck at the show!

 

[Bowen4Horses]

ah... i see... a bridle path in the mane... not a bridle path through a field... makes sooo much more sense now i've read it!

 

[MrsMozart]

[ QUOTE ]
ah... i see... a bridle path in the mane... not a bridle path through a field... makes sooo much more sense now i've read it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, it is early

 

[MrsMozart]

[ QUOTE ]
Never do it to ANY horse! Horrid, horrid practice and unless you keep them almost to the skin, must be very uncomfortable for the horse when wearing a bridle if you think about it!

[/ QUOTE ]

Why's that then BE?

Isn't it better to have a clear line for the headpiece to sit rather than on a lump of mane?

 

[brighteyes]

Oh, I just think the 'toothbrush effect' under the headpiece would be irritating and a friend's horse used to 'shake' til they tried the hair long again. Looked stupid for a while but it sorted him out.

Imagine the stubble being pressed down on... just my thoughts and choice.

 

[MrsMozart]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, I just think the 'toothbrush effect' under the headpiece would be irritating and a friend's horse used to 'shake' til they tried the hair long again. Looked stupid for a while but it sorted him out.

Imagine the stubble being pressed down on... just my thoughts and choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is an interesting one

. Maybe, the irritation could count for some of the confirmed head shakers. I admit I wouldn't have thought of it...

.

Just re-done Little Cobs (can't get the bridle on otherwise, too much mane!), but might give it a try with the Dizzy one and see what she thinks

.

 

[Ashgrove]

[ QUOTE ]
Never do it to ANY horse! Horrid, horrid practice and unless you keep them almost to the skin, must be very uncomfortable for the horse when wearing a bridle if you think about it!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, stubbly hedgehog hair

 

[pixiebee]

ive always cut bridle paths, native or not. Only an inch wide or so. Just lo let the bridle sit comfy and not tangle mane and forelock up. my new forest has a bridle path and i did afflilaited showing last year and got reserve champ, so cant be that bad!!

 

[pixiebee]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, I just think the 'toothbrush effect' under the headpiece would be irritating and a friend's horse used to 'shake' til they tried the hair long again. Looked stupid for a while but it sorted him out.

Imagine the stubble being pressed down on... just my thoughts and choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

so what about hogged manes then???

 

[MagicMelon]

I do with my Welsh Cob who I show. As long as its a really narrow one then you cant see it with a bridle on anyway! And it makes it much neater mane-wise.

 

[wildpoppywild]

dont cut one!!

 

[SO1]

I cut one on my NF as his mane was very bushy and I thought it might be uncomfortable for him with his bridle on without one as with so much mane it was very hard to lay his mane down in a way that did not pull it.

 

[Donkeymad]

Many M&M's have a discreet bridle path, so go ahead if you want.

 

[star]

never done it to my M&M's. neither of them would let me even if i wanted to though.