plaiting and hi viz questions for a newbie plse

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maree t

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Hi all, kids (13 and 15 ) had their first go out cubbing today, they had agreat time and everbody was very friendly. They would like to go hunting again but we have been told they will have to plait. My daughters pony is a section a who closely resembles a thelwell !! My sons is a Nf with a curly mane. We can beat the NF s mane into a running plait but we cannot do so with the sec a . She has never had her mane trimmed , pulled or thinned and I would prefer not to do this as she is field kept. Do we HAVE to plait no matter what ? if so any ideas. We thought we might have to divide down the centre and do a running plait either side but goodness knows what time we would have to get started and it wouldnt look very neat I wouldnt think.
I also have a thing about Hi Viz on the road. They had to hack to the meet which was early and my son in his black jacket on a black pony in the murk this morning would be so dangerous. They wore vests and then stowed them in a friends box to collect to come home but we cant always rely on that. Do we get a little bag to fix to the saddle ?
Thanks in advance if you got this far and can advise .
 
Plaiting advice not my forte.

I do know of plenty of people that have a thin hi-viz tabard that folds up small so they can stow in your pocket in case of hacking home in the gloom or in case of some other incident requiring them to be on the roads - as you say dark clothes on dark ponies is not a good mix. Our hunt staff and grooms have now also been issued with high-viz to wear when exercising hounds or hacking to meets.

When riding as a group back to boxes at the end of the day we generally arrange to have vehicles with hazards flashing driving in front and behind, but obviously this doesn't apply if your children finish before the rest of the hunt and are hacking home solo.

I also know of people that have discreet saddle bags when out hunting so this could also be an option (suspect it has his picnic in it, but never dared ask!)
 
i cant advise on the plaiting im afraid. but i commend you for insisting they wear hi viz. could they put the tabards on under their hunting jackets once they get to the meet?
 
I would speak to your secretary - they may well not object to not plaiting on little ponies! without a doubt though a running plait on the NF would be acceptable! can you attempt a running plait on the welshie, even if it only lasts as long as the meet?

as for hi-vis - I stick a thin tabard in my coat pocket, and I know a lot of people who put them in sandwhich bags attached to the saddle! :)
 
Lots of kids out with my local packs have black or dark saddle cloths with pockets...plenty of room for sweets and a high viz tabard...and a hipflask if junior insists :rolleyes:
 
I thought, as both natives, you would be able to turn out un-plaited as that is how they would be shown in M&M classes, but I am prepared to be corrected.

In the same way a gypsy cob with full feathers and mane would not have to be plaited!
 
Thanks guys, I was hoping not to have to try and tame the welshie or her mane !!
I havent seen the saddle cloths with the pockets so will have to do some research.
I dont want them to stand out for the wrong reasons so I think we might have to wait for my son to have his own hip flask !
 
If it's a lawn meet then I would attempt some form of running plait. If not it may be acceptable not to plait the welsh. As someone else said contact the secretary. Some hunts often don't allow children under 14 unaccompanied.
 
I think I might have a chat with the secretary and see how they feel. Our hunt has always welcomed children unaccompanied and friends children ( very capable ) a lot younger than mine are welcome. They seem to have a designated *nanny* to keep an eye out for them.
So pleased with how today went neither ponies had ever hunted before and although a few problems with brakes in the first hour and the welshie snorting a bit when the hounds appeared out of the hedges they had a great time and will be going again if we can tame the mane or come to a compromise with the hunt !
 
I love the fact that you've brought up the issue of hunting and hi -viz. I just do not understand why after a hunt, riders think it is ok to ride home in the semi dark, totally invisible. WHAT is that about - is it "I'm too arrogant to wear hi-vis, even though I can't be seen ".

PLEASE remember that you cannot be seen in the dusk/dark, and huddles of horses trotting along lanes are easily not seen.
 
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