long hair riders

Celestica

Celestica

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How do you manage your hair while riding? My hair is down to my waist nearly at this stage and barely ever tuck it away EEK! Realising the safety issue with my hair being this long I was wondering how you manage your hair? The odd time when I do decided to tuck it away i just put my hair in a low pony and bring the pony over my head (which nearly comes to my forehead) and try put the hat on before it falls down :o
 
well mines not nearly that long but probably mid back length and past boobs on the front but i either tie it in a low pny tail to ride in which just keeps it out the way or twist it into a low 'ballet bun' like i would to compete - if I'm on the yard and hatless its usually twisted and shoved onto the top of my head in a very messy floppy bun type mess :D
 
LeannePip said:
well mines not nearly that long but probably mid back length and past boobs on the front but i either tie it in a low pny tail to ride in which just keeps it out the way or twist it into a low 'ballet bun' like i would to compete - if I'm on the yard and hatless its usually twisted and shoved onto the top of my head in a very messy floppy bun type mess :D
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You seem to be the same as me :) I'm just scared of being scalped EEK! I've been told horror stories by old instructors
 
For ordinary riding I either plait my hair or put it in a low pony tail, with three twists of a thick elastic, not pulling it through fully on the third twist (if that makes sense) so that there is a loop of hair and about a third of the length left. I tend to have the 'tail' to one side, so that it doesn't push my hat off. I would be a bit wary of soving my hair up under my hat as it would alter the fit and isn't how they are designed to fit.
 
Tight bun or plait.

Please don't have loose hair, I have seen someone get caught by a loose bun on a hooked up safety stirrup after a ride. She was just about to take saddle off when he swung out. Lucky the horse didn't spook........
 
YorksG said:
For ordinary riding I either plait my hair or put it in a low pony tail, with three twists of a thick elastic, not pulling it through fully on the third twist (if that makes sense) so that there is a loop of hair and about a third of the length left. I tend to have the 'tail' to one side, so that it doesn't push my hat off. I would be a bit wary of soving my hair up under my hat as it would alter the fit and isn't how they are designed to fit.
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That's exactly what I do too.

Sometimes I plait it and bun it.
 
Fueledbyaisling said:
You seem to be the same as me :) I'm just scared of being scalped EEK! I've been told horror stories by old instructors
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I've never heard of being scalped ?! How could this happen? Please tell me more!!

I have medium length hair, which just gets tied into a low pony tail when hat goes on, and then usually a bit blows round the front and gets caught in the velcro at the top of my hi-viz jacket! But that's the worst that's ever happened to me thankfully.
 
For dossing on the yard I just scrape mine up Into a messy bun, but off the base of my neck, can't stand it in a low ponytail. My hair is very long, I can almost sit on it. I plait it right to the end for riding though.
 
To be honest, I think its safest in a pony tail/plait if really long. The only time I came close to getting scalped was when it was put up properly in a bun. I was holding a friend's horse which was wearing a snaffle with cheeks, it rubbed against me and the cheeks got stuck in my hair, nearly scalping me when it pulled back. Had I had my usual pony tail, the scrunchie would have come out..

When I ride with a pony tail, as someone pointed out the other day, you can't see what the "polite" hi-viz tabbard says!

I'm getting really fed up of long hair though - its the getting wet knots in winter..!
 
I do either a plait or a pony tail.

I do a half pulled through pony tail too, but once I put my hat on, I pull the "knot" right down until it's below the level of my neck, sitting on my shoulders. Scalping is worrying... but the rather horrible brain injuries associated with a fall where the "knot" is pressed up into the back of your skull are rather worse (not hypothetical, as I know someone who's suffered this injury).
 
Does no one use a hair net these days? Plait hair into long tail, wind round to form a bun, pin it, and put on hair net ( bought from tack shop ) and off you go! This looks v smart with breeches, long boots and a velvet cap (British Safety Standard one, of course!) and a nice jacket/gilet.
 
HappyNeds said:
I've never heard of being scalped ?! How could this happen? Please tell me more!!
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I think a past student of hers had long hair and she fell off the horse and the horse stood on her hair as it was running away and her hair got caught in it's studs and he ripped chunks of it out :eek:
 
I always put my hair in a hair net, and pony tail.

Op I would think about plaiting your hair, then tucking up in a hair net.
 
Burmilla said:
Does no one use a hair net these days? Plait hair into long tail, wind round to form a bun, pin it, and put on hair net ( bought from tack shop ) and off you go! This looks v smart with breeches, long boots and a velvet cap (British Safety Standard one, of course!) and a nice jacket/gilet.
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So glad someone said this!! That's what a hairnet is for!
 
Mine is currently waist length but was long enough to sit on 6 months ago.

Normally I put mine in a pony tail at the nape of my neck, or the pony tail looped through. I plait it if it is windy. I don't always plait it as it can push my hat forward.

I never put it in a bun or put it in my hat as it affects the fit of my hat.

For shows I plait it at the nape of my neck and fold the plait up then put a hairnet over the top.

When I was younger I used to use a hairnet all the time but now I can't fi.d one big or sturdy enough to hold my hair.

I think a ponytail is less risky than buns as the hair will slip over things rather than catching, it will also break whereas plaited hair is really strong.
 
I never use hair nets now I just plait it or screw in a bun
mine is to my jean belt when plaited
on the yard i put it into my cap, i use a large cap so all goes in it .

Shall we have pictures of the lengths??:)
 
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Kat said:
I think a ponytail is less risky than buns as the hair will slip over things rather than catching, it will also break whereas plaited hair is really strong.
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Yes -exactly what I was saying before - the only time in 35yrs of riding that I have had a hair accident was at a show when I had my hair up tightly and in a netted bun... The fact that it was so securely up was what made the bit catch properly in it rather than slipping through.. I still have my hair like that for a show though, it was just a freak accident.
 
I used to have long hair, nearly down to my waist, and it was really thick and was to heavy it started pulling itself out :( OMG I miss my hair.

But anyway. What I used to do was to plait it in a central plait down the back, and then fold it over and secure tightly with stretchy-bands. If going hunting or to a show etc, then you can just flip on a hairnet and then secure with a broad piece of black/brown/blonde coloured elastic and sew or safety-pin on a nice bow.

Enjoy your hair - I've got mine very short now, and am enjoying the style I've got, but I do miss having lovely long luscious flowing locks.
 
I have long thick naturally curly hair down to my waist. I tie it in a ponytail or knot for riding. I hated it with a beagler when they were allowed for BD, a bun would look stupid below my hat and was almost like a second head it was so large!!! I'm hoping I can find a new hat for dressage which won't look quite so silly. I'd love for it all to fit in a nice neat little bun.
 
Should also add I was taught never to use clips or grips for riding as they could cause injury in a fall. I use only covered elastic bands and/or ribbon with or without a hairnet, nothing metal in my hair whilst riding.
 
For showing I plait, wrap the plait round itself and hold in place with same coloured hair elastic, put one net over the bun and then put another net over the bun and the rest of my head and then hat on top! I always double net.
 
Loose ponytail in a hairnet. Can't bear bits of hair in my face when I am riding. Pushed into a scruffy bun when in the yard or under a baseball cap. Mine is boob length!
 
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