M&Ms Hunting

[FirstLight]

Hi just wanting some info I will be taking my first m&m out for a day soon, he is a welsh cob so not overly hairy - can his mane stay loose and natural? Would this be correct for his breed? Thankyou

 

[Clodagh]

He should be plaited really, could you do a running plait?

Did you see the pic of the pony jumpnig the hedge in this weeks H&H? What a chap! (I know he wasn't a welsh cob but your heading made me think of it).

 

[Patterdale]

I leave my sec D loose. As long as they look smart and clean its fine. Mine has a v long thick mane though so it's obvious what he is and that I'm not just being lazy. It takes longer to care for his mane than it would to just pull and plait!

If yours has a shortish mane and you're planning ongoing out on a smart day (boxing day or similar) then I would do a Spanish plait.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Have always plaited all the M&M's, with the exception of shetties (yes, we took one out over 2 seasons with daughter on & off lead!),
not the Exmoors, nor Fells or Dales but all the others have had manes plaited & tails either brushed out well, or folded & taped up, depending on weather/ground conditions.
The only M&M I've not hunted has been a Highland.

 

[ester]

My section D has a relatively short mane so is plaited, like he is for dressage. If it were longer I would do a running plait mostly to keep it out of the way!

 

[Toffee44]

I plaited but left tail.

Friend rides a freisan and she just does a Arab/ running plait. For neatness and practicality really. Your gonna snag twigs etc if you go through woodland and through holes in hedges,

Also he will get very sweaty if mane is long and down his neck.

 

[Lolo]

If he's properly au natural, I'd do a running plait. Al tried hunting the Welsh C she had without and her hands and whip got constantly tangled whenever they jumped or cantered!

His tail was also put up, because removing burrs was awful and he was so close to the ground he picked up lots.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I would running plait and fold his tail more for easiness for you at the end of the day as thick tails hold a lot of stuff, my little welshd x dales had a mammoth thick tail and it held on to everything!

 

[FirstLight]

Thankyou! His mane is pulled so not completely natural, although it is still fairly long. Will try a running plait as I think its too long for normal plaits unless I go for golfballs! Same with his tail its featherd in from his hocks to a point and the top is pulled but left longer to look more natural

 

[Templebar]

If you pull anyway then plait, its not natural so there is no excuse, if its natural then there is cause to leave it. As for the tail due to the usually thick nature of welsh d tails i would plait and bang up, keeps it clean and out of the way, he will thank you for it.