Plaiting a Friesian For Dressage?

[UnaB]

Hi There,

Hoping to have a go at some local unaffiliated dressage (just the basics - walk and trot!!), I have a friesian with a very long mane that obviously i dont want to pull, what do I do about plaiting her?? Do I just leave it loose?

 

[j1ffy]

You should be fine to leave it unplaited for unaffiliated, or you could do a running plait or Spanish plait (the difference being that the running dips down away from the crest, the Spanish stays on the crest). No idea what's "correct" for a Friesian but for dressage it's really whatever looks good!

There are some good demo vids on YouTube on how to do it. I tried a Spanish plait on my new boy a couple of weeks ago and it was a lot easier than expected, and I'm rubbish at plaiting

 

[teddyt]

Can you do or learn to do a running plait?

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

A girl I know competes her Friesian stallion with a running plait. The huge forelock is also plaited into one long plait (which touches his nostrils!) and she keeps it 'fixed' by placing the bridle's browband and cavesson OVER it.

(You'll remember the pictures I posted about the Hagen International)

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

have you ever tried an arab/running plait? I think they look great on horses with long manes, especially if they've got a bit of neck muscle!

Here's a pic of a fresian with one
http://kidshorsinaround.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/horses-005-copy.jpg

And a really good tutorial!
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/forums/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=39082

 

[UnaB]

I remember the gorgeous friesian doing dressage, I will go back and have a look at those plaits

I am useless at plaiting, but I will try to find out how to do a running one. I can do tail (just about!) but not manes...!

Thanks for the info everyone

 

[UnaB]

Thank you for those links! Perfect

 

[ajn1610]

when I used to take my welsh cob I did an arrow plait (like a half a french plait) but I've seen some lattices which look really smart too. TBH honest it's not unusual to seen people not plaited although I always do, as long as you are smart and clean you should be OK.
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/forums/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=39082 - good post showing how to do it

 

[ajn1610]

and the lattice http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff101/janecw/plait3.jpg

 

[Sol]

I've never plaited 'properly' for dressage - with my Connie x TB or my current monster. Always done trellis plaits as neither had long/thick enough manes to hold a running plait but I assume you wouldn't have that problem! used to get plenty of comments for being different, mostly nice ones thankfully Good luck with the dressage!