Plaiting when SJ..?

[VioletStripe]

So, my friend is going to a show this weekend, and we were talking about turnout for the pony. She then said that apparently plaits make the horses jump less well? I could maybe understand in the tail this could happen.. but in the mane as well? So, basically is this right? Sounded odd to me! Cookies if you've read this far!! xx

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Never heard anything about it ..

 

[spookypony]

I've not noticed a difference...I always plait, because the prize for BTO is a free entry at the next show!

 

[elliegirl12]

With my mare she does not like hind boots on that makes her not jump as well but never ever heard of the plaits!

 

[LauraWheeler]

Thats shorly just a lazy mans excuse not to plait!

I remember years ago when i worked with showjumpers the man i worked for told me to cut all the horses tails short as it would make them more careful behind. That was a load of rubbish the horse that always got cricket scores still did.

I always plait for sj and it never effects my horse.

 

[Broomsticks]

it is an old saying, meaning that the horse cannot stetch his neck as easily over the fences if his mane is all tied up in tight plaits

 

[Lolo]

My horse likes his plaits in- usually means its a smarter show so he shows off more!

However, one girl in our PC who turns out immaculately (although she is mainly SJing, mostly BSJA) has a rather lovely pony who usually jumps about 3'3. With plaits in she works really hard to get him round 2'6!

 

[Racing_Gal]

I have heard this before but I dont know how much truth there is in it, having said that I know certain horses (such as Milton) dont like been plaited up, I guess as with allot of things, it depends on the horse.

I groom for a professional show jumper, we only plait for big shows such as hoys. For everyday shows we never plait, (which I am very greatful for as we usually take 6

) you very rarely see plaits at 'normal' affilated shows.

 

[Gorgeous George]

I don't plait for showjumping, but not because I'm lazy or George doesn't like them, it's just i'm nervous and I need something to hang onto!

 

[ladyt25]

I never plait for showjumping unless it's part of a ODE. Nothing to do with how the horse jumps at all though, just there is no need to plait for showjumping - I'm not trying to show his neck off or anything. I just try and keep on top of pulling his mane so it's short and neat.

 

[hettie123]

I have worked with showjumpers on the continent for over 10 years and have found plaiting makes no difference to a horses jump. However some grooms wont plait certain horses as the horse is a fidget or difficult to plait. Another reason is that some feel a horse will anticipate the competition and become agitated/nervous or over excited. But on the whole the grooms that don't plait tend to be the lazy ones!

 

[KatB]

The theory is plaiting can make horses tighter through the neck, as the hair pulled tight in plaits can hurt when they stretch their neck out (think of having a tight poytail, how sometimes the hair pulls?) The solution to this is do lots of small plaits, as then there is less hair in each plait, so is covering a smaller area of the neck, so doesnt effect them stretching as much