Plaiting advice please

[Eira]

Ok , the only time I ever plait is when I hunt and then I just plait dependent on how long the mane is and what looks neat

But , I am guessing that there is probably a certain number I should do for dressage? Or a certain number that will give the illusion my horse is well muscled

So help please?

Her mane is this long -

and her neck is this long

 

[chaps89]

I usually do an odd number along the neck (then the forelock makes it into an even number)
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/article.php?aid=37741

That article is quite helpful me thinks.

Do you want to come and give my horse a hair cut- Sols mane looks so neat and tidy, puts my efforts to shame

Lol

 

[Eira]

Oh thanks for that

And yes , why not

 

[chaps89]

Good luck then- he's a bu@@er to try and pull his mane! See you later then yes?

 

[Eira]

Well when you say that .. I'm urm .. washing my hair later - sorry

 

[Kenzo]

More small plaits makes a neck look longer and finer, less plaits but chunky ones shortens a long skinny neck etc, I think with Sol, if your doing dressage, the amount of plaits be it odd or even is not really going to matter, its not like your in a showing class, they will be too busy judging your test, so I wouldnt worry to much about that side of things, I would raise the bunches of plaits to give the illusion of a more muscled neck/crest and do more plaits to lengthen her neck a wee bit.

 

[Eira]

She's already got a long neck (well saying that she is just LONG

) so I didn't really think I'd want to lengthen her neck anymore...

Appearance is very important , so even if it doesn't matter it needs to be done properly , in all honestly the judge will be to busy laughing to even judge my test , I fear

 

[oofadoofa]

Is the bottom part of her mane rubbed out by her rug? Can't tell from the top pic because it seems to blend in with her white bits. I would probably go for 9 plaits if you can!

 

[chaps89]

[ QUOTE ]
Well when you say that .. I'm urm .. washing my hair later - sorry

[/ QUOTE ]

Charming!
Haha, don't blame you tho. Good luck with the stressage btw

 

[Eira]

No it is all there

Top pic was last week (and the bottom part of her mane lies the other side)
Second pic was in March (hence maulting

)

But yes all her mane is fully intact

 

[oofadoofa]

Yep, would probably go for 9. Try putting it in bunches before you start and see how it looks.

 

[Eira]

Oh that's a good plan! Will do a trial run this week at some point to make sure I remember how to plait too ..

 

[oofadoofa]

Yes I get that problem too, it's difficult trying to remember at the start of the hunting season isn't it!!

 

[Kenzo]

[ QUOTE ]
She's already got a long neck (well saying that she is just LONG

) so I didn't really think I'd want to lengthen her neck anymore...


[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldnt of said from the pics in your post that she had a long neck, maybe I'm just used to horses with giraff necks perhaps

 

[Eira]

Yes

Thats why I implore anyone that lends me horses to hog them

Sadly i've been told if I hog Sol , I will them be hung , drawn and quartered

 

[oofadoofa]

Have been tempted to hog my horse myself. But then I took up showjumping so no need to plait!!!

 

[Eira]

I like your thinking ........

 

[Eira]

I think in photos she appears to have a short neck because she has such a long back

In reality and real life her neck is really rather long (well it is compared to the compact IDx we hack with

)