Long manes and dressage?

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MuddyMonster

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I've recently started dressage (well, we've had our first foray at the dizzying heights of Intro with the aim of Prelim for next year, so 'dressage' may conjure up too grand an image at this stage :D ) and I'm not sure what to do with my horse's mane.

He's a native type and he's got a thick, long mane which I really don't want to pull. I'm currently just making sure it is clean, well sprayed with mane and tail spray and leaving it.

Is it ok to leave it loose or should it be plaited? I'm learning that presentation is quite a big part of the overall picture - I've never had to be immaculately turned out before, so this may be harder for me than riding an actual test!

If it should be plaited, has anyone got any tips on how best to plait it? My attempts this summer at a running plait, certainly were not the neatest anyone will see! Should the running plait stay close to the top of the neck the whole length of the mane, or should it get further away from the main the further you are from the poll (if that makes any sense?!).

Any helps or tips would be much appreciated :)
 
As a native it'll be fine to not plait. There is no obligation to anyway! You'll be fine so long as you're clean, tidy and presentable. I trim and plait my section D but that's my choice and I've seen plenty left au naturel!
 
You can take it straight from the field complete with mud if you like as long as you follow the rules.
 
I would tend to do a running plait as it keeps the mane out of the way of the reins. I've also seen some very nice 'lattice' plaits but they look more complicated to do.

You don't have to plait for dressage and the judge shouldn't mark you down if you don't but you might feel more at ease if you 'fit in' with the other competitors and have a running plait.
 
Running plaits are best,

Good tip- when plaiting try keep your left elbow over the top of the neck and stand on something.
This will help keep it tight to the topline and "improve" look of topline
 
tallyho! said:
You can take it straight from the field complete with mud if you like as long as you follow the rules.
Click to expand...

Lol, yes, this - though you might feel more comfortable in the ring if you've made a bit of effort :lol:

As the others say, you are fine to leave the mane down if you prefer. I now plait my section D if I have time, I prefer to get her mane out of my way :) but I leave it down if I'm short of time or if the weather is foul (I figure she grows her bushy hedge mane for a reason!)

If you want to do a running plait instead, practice makes perfect. Personally I like to have them close to the crest all the way down, though I usually stop about 8 inches above the withers and start a new little plait, and then roll them both up separately. That way, the mane doesn't pull too much at the bottom if the horse stretches down. It looks perfectly neat.

If the mane seems too thick for a single running plait, try parting it down the middle and doing one on each side. That can look really smart :)
 
I think when you are just starting out there is no need to worry about plaiting - there is no rule to say you must plait, and a judge wouldnt expect to see amazing plaiting at Intro/Prelim - when its a native they are understanding that you cant plait that much mane!

If you want to start looking a bit more polished perhaps when you move up to prelim then a running plait will look lovely - the reason people plait for dressage is so the judge can see the neck and there is nothing obstructing the riders hands, you want to show off how supple your horse is throughout its body hence why showing off the neck becomes important. But as I said at low level it really doenst matter too much, so between now and your prelim outing next year perhaps practice your running plaits and you'll be a pro by next year! Youtube is great for plaiting videos.
 
I'd just do a running plait - with a bit of practice, they are 10x quicker than normal plaits ;) I bung one in whenever I work my Fell or his mane gets caught up on everything. I always keep them close to the crest - they tend to fall out if you let them get looser.
Lattice plaits aren't complicated but take a bit more patience & a lot of bands!! (and just as much time to take out it seems!)

I often don't plait my TBx though - much simpler :) It's just up to what you find easier & are more comfortable with.
 
Mine is a Welsh x TB, so not all that native! I hate plaiting though so he gets a plaited forelock and a running plait that slopes away from his crest very quickly - I end up plaiting to about half the neck length but it's sort of moving down his neck rather than along the top. I think it looks smart and we've won quite a few (unaffiliated) novices this year. The trouble with plait right along the top of the neck is that as soon as they stretch down, the plait goes all wonky. I've seen people compete with that and it looks a bit pants.
 
I used to plait and braid. Since I started trimming my mares mane short (NOT a hog!) I don't think I could go back to plaiting.. and I know only a lazy person would say that! :D but hey, thats me.
 
tallyho! said:
You can take it straight from the field complete with mud if you like as long as you follow the rules.
Click to expand...

I did! Groomed at the show ground and went into my first class when he had been stood in the field only an hour earlier. I love impromptu trips out - takes the stress out of it :)
 
I am gonna be the opposite to most others and say don't plait. I think it looks much more beautiful in dressage if the horses mane isn't plaited but only if they do have a long mane like yours has. I would take advantage of that i wish my horse had a beautiful long mane but he has a pretty tail so got one of them haha.
 
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