Is plaiting "amateurish"?

kickonchaps said:
Awww I was really excited for a second there, thought you were talking about manes and I was already imagining competing without a 5am start to go and plait a fidgeting TB in the semi-darkness (because if it ain't good enough fr the pros it ain't good enough for me...!) oh well, maybe I'll start a dirty rumour that mane plaits are amateurish... *rubs hands together mischievously*
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I'll be your back up for having heard the rumours too!
 
EKW said:
Only people that can't plait tails properly call it amateurish! Ok it's a bit of a no go area these days because people are too lazy to learn how to do it properly. .
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This!!!

EKW said:
a couple of show jumpers and racehorse trainers from years ago saying that they would never allow their horses tail to be plaited as it would feel wrong to the horse and they need their tails for balance. Can't say that I have ever noticed a difference in ability from plaited to unplaited but hey ho!
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it all depends on how people plait them - an alarming amount of people plait way too tight and then the horse cant flex the tail properly when needed for balance. I manage to get my plaits loose enought o get quite a few fingers underneath without going 'baggy'.
 
Kinkyangel said:
I don't know about tails but where did plaiting bands come from! I was taught to sew my plaits in!!! Showing my age I know!!

Xx
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I band plait for racing and can do a mane in 10 mins flat. I stitch my show horses and it takes me bloomin ages! Oh how I wish I could just band them! Wouldn't need to get up an extra hour early then!
 
Well I am a judge and I like seeing a well plaited tail in the appropriate class. A badly plaited tail is just awful.

Most pulled tails nowadays aren't pulled at all, they are raked with thinning blades.
 
I pull both manes and tails - never cut or clipped (heaven forbid) Anyone who has ever clipped a tail, should be made to pull it when it grows back as punishment. Once clipped, it's wrecked for doing anything with it other than clip it again.....

when I was eventing fulltime, I could plait a mane in 15 mins (sewn) so that's 45 mins plaiting time. I wasn't prepared to get up even earlier to plait tails as well so they were pulled. Also, with several horses competing all day, it would have been a nightmare keeping them smart all day too

The hunters have pulled tails - it's a lot easier to pull a tail bandage off a pulled tail on an excited horse at the meet than carefully unwrap a plaited one! I always think it's very smart seeing a plaited tail "bobbed up" though

In terms of "amateurishness" however, I have noticed a growing trend for professionals to leave manes and tails unplaited in unaffiliated competitions and only bother to plait for affiliated BD and BE
 
I rarely have the need to plait a tail (thanks to being a lazy sjer ;) ) but for eventing and the one workers class I did I will plait.

My horse lives out 24/7 in the summer, and to keep on top of a pulled tail would be a pain. It takes me 5 mins to plait (imho they are not great, but I always get nice comments on them) 5 mins a few times a year or weekly upkeep of a pulled tail - I'll take the former please ;)

As an amateur I don't have the time nor inclination to pull my horses tail and it also wouldn't be fair to him living out. :)
 
EKW said:
Only people that can't plait tails properly call it amateurish! Ok it's a bit of a no go area these days because people are too lazy to learn how to do it properly. I've always maintained that a pony that is stabled can have a pulled tail, one that lives out has a plaited tail as they need it for warmth.

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Yup ^^

I know I go back a few years but when did this idea come about? We always used to plait tails, for County Shows and for HOYS etc. At one time it was even 'fashionable' to plait a foals tail. Now there's a challenge :D
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As someone who can't plait or pull to save my life I really can't comment though I love a nicely pulled mane and tail.

Just to confuse things I was told yesterday that you never pull a mare's tail...
 
Plaiting seems to be a dying art, with less people being able to plait it's now fashion to pull (or thin with a rake because people don't know to pull anymore either!!) so it's not amateurish, it's lazyness!!!
You used to see groom jobs advertised with one of the main points of being able to plait and turn out to a high standard...
If these skills aren't being asked for by employers and in the classes at shows there is a you can plait or pull it doesn't really matter anymore attitude then it's a skill that's going to be lost.
I prefer a plait, I think it looks neater even though it does take longer to get your horse ready...put a bit of effort in to it!!!
 
hudsonw said:
Plaiting seems to be a dying art, with less people being able to plait it's now fashion to pull (or thin with a rake because people don't know to pull anymore either!!) so it's not amateurish, it's lazyness!!!
You used to see groom jobs advertised with one of the main points of being able to plait and turn out to a high standard...
If these skills aren't being asked for by employers and in the classes at shows there is a you can plait or pull it doesn't really matter anymore attitude then it's a skill that's going to be lost.
I prefer a plait, I think it looks neater even though it does take longer to get your horse ready...put a bit of effort in to it!!!
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Quite! :)

Also.... you chaps getting up at 3am and whatnot.... ever heard of snuggy hoods? You can plait at your leisure the day before - whack on the snuggy hood contreption and et voila... instant plaited mane in the morning...
 
Traditionaly hacks had tails plaited and hunters pulled tails.

I love to see tails plaited - the trend now seems to be for pulling tails as it makes 'on the day' preparation quicker.

Hope like hell that riders don't develop the trend as we have in NZ to use a razor on the tail. They can look very smart until they start to grow bak then toilet brush on legs! yuk!
 
I was always led to believe that plaited tails were only for mares and youngstock at top level showing ... and I am going way back here!
The reason is that a properly pulled/raked or even razored tail has a lovely tapered shape and can flatter the horses back end, a bit like the right shape or placing of pockets on your jeans maybe!


I'm not a fan of plaiting the night before - properly tight sewn plaits are not so comfortable for the horse - like sleeping in rollers! and are never immaculate the next day, even with a hood. i prefer to arrive early and plait up on the showground, that way the horse is able to travel with a haynet and relax too.

Realistically though, none of this will make you win - just help you feel you've tried your best as far as turnout goes : )
 
lol at this thread !

I got home at about 9pm on Friday night, other half wondered where I had been .... I had 2 answers prepared 1. popped to a mates on the way home for a brew (a lie) 2. I've been stood in my stable practicing tail plaits for 3 hours !!! :-)

I have traditionally always pulled and like a pulled tail - however after 3 years out of the showring having foalies and whatnot my mares tail has completely grown out !! I really didn't have the heart to pull it all just for one little Veteran class. I hadn't attempted a tail plait since I was about 13 but I was quite pleased with the result :-) even if the truth did get me eyes rolled by OH haha
 
I think it makes sense that plaited tails are amateurish if the reason is because amateurs have less horses so can take the time to plait them all.

Otherwise the rumour is odd.

I enjoy plaiting manes and tails... I would never have a pulled tail, but then I have a bushy tailed cob who a) wouldn't let me b)would take so long to finish pulling her tail that the hairs where I started would need pulling again!!

I plaited her tail for a "mini show" I had organised for a couple of local girls who don't have transport and it looked lovely. I did quite a chunky plait (partially because her tail is so bushy it would look odd with an elegant fine plait and partially because it took less time) and it got loads of compliments! The only thing was because it was a chunky plait it looked ridiculous rolled up (think size of a tennis ball) so I left it hanging.
 
Plaiting tails for showing is most definately amateurish, and not correct for the class - only MMs are left au natural :)

Pulled tails should be done by hand (and pliers/mane comb) and should never be touched by a brush or clippers!! They look soo much neater and smart! When seperating the tail only use your fingers not a brush - saves the tail :)
Its a sin in my book if you clip the tail! they end up looking like bog brushes.Along with using scissors on a mane (although if its a 0-3 year old then fine if just smartening them up :) )

I love plaiting, only takes me 10-15mins to have really neat plaits :)
 
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Love a pulled tail on my tb makes him look tip top but only if i maintain it (which i dont mind doing) I HATE it if its not looked after and looks like some kind of demented bog brush!! If you cant be bpthered to pull properly just dont! plaits look smarter than a s***ty clipped one or an out grown one so not hard decision... Just as long as manes arent CUT with SCISSORS... dont even get me started!!!
 
I much prefer a beautiful plaited tail to a pulled one. I always plaited for showing classes. To be honest if I had tried to pull my mares tail she would probably, and quite rightly, tried to boot me one. Luckily for her I preferred the natural look. Pulling hair out is painful and nothing to be proud of... Thankfully I'm a dab hand at razoring manes :-)
 
Serenity087 said:
We used to clip our cob tails.

Firstly because their manes were hogged, so plaiting is definitely a no no.

But secondly because if anyone really fancies spending the 3 months necessary to pull a tail the size of a large large tree for showing, then go for it. We, however, did not!
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My welsh x wirey tail is clipped too! and her mane is cut- sounds like some peoples on here enemy pony! :) haha
 
Have to say i always used to go for the traditional pulled mane and tale but weirdly enough as i'v got older i now like the whole fashionable full natural tail and swishy mane that showjumpers often seem to have. Admittedly i use a thinning knife on my horses mane and then neaten it up with scissors :o lol i leave it slightly longer than should be just because :) and his tail is au natural wich i plait if showing and sew plaits into his mane :) x
 
I suspect that I am going to get a bit of a telling off for this but IMO I think that pulled tails are hideous.... I also think it looks awful when you are trying to grow it out.... :-( I think that it takes a lot of skill to plait a tail really nicely and when I show my boy in hand in veteran classes I plait his tail and mane.

I can understand the convenience of it and the reason behind it (showing off muscle definition ect) but I think you can achieve the same look with a plaited tail.... ;-)
 
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It may be amateurish but for the very few show classes I will be taking my 2 yr old to this year, I will be plaiting and not pulling.

All my horses live out in the summer and I do not think it is fair for me to whip off her hair, removing her natural protection from the elements on the basis that she is going to a show 3 or 4 times in the season. Her tail being plaited will not give her any better conformation or better manners. To me, that is what showing your horse is about.

If I was to show more often however, I may consider pulling as I can't stand plaiting!!!
 
I've been talking to my 'Gran' about this whole debate... I was quite put out at being called amateurish for spending the love and energy in the perfect plait each showday taught by the lady herself.

She said " really dear, why don't you learn to do both and keep everyone happy?"

..... I hate being dumbstruck...
 
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