Plaiting for show jumping comps?

Nope, never. I even unplait at BE, after the dressage phase before the SJ. I have a 'thing' where IMO I feel the horse can't stretch his neck properly if plaited up (or it must be quite uncomfortable to do so). So I never plait (including BSJA), then again I absolutely despise plaiting full stop and wouldn't do it for dressage if I didnt have to!
 
I like to as it is an outing and I like us both to dress up for them! Many don't though and if it is a very early start I don't loose any sleep about not plaiting.
 
MagicMelon said:
Nope, never. I even unplait at BE, after the dressage phase before the SJ. I have a 'thing' where IMO I feel the horse can't stretch his neck properly if plaited up (or it must be quite uncomfortable to do so). So I never plait (including BSJA), then again I absolutely despise plaiting full stop and wouldn't do it for dressage if I didnt have to!
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When I went to look at a horse we saw it at a BE event and the rider did the same as you, unplait for jumping. She worked at Paul Nichol's yard and he had done some research into plaiting with results that plaits can "bruise" a horses neck when jumping.
 
Depends on the horse.

I don't plait my pony and I normally can't be bothered if it's my horse. However, I do if I'm riding someone elses horse because I think it's polite to make an effort for someone else.

I can see where people are coming from with the inabilty for horses to stretch their necks but I don't jump big enough for it to make much difference I shouldn't think.

:D
 
No I never do.

I take plaits out for the XC.

I can see the logic in the bruise arguement, but I doubt most plaits I've seen would! Horses stretch their necks in dressage too...
 
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