to plait or not to plait?

[caramac1988]

ok so i remember when i was younger id be up in the stables washing off sh*t stains and plaiting and that was a normal sat morning routine before a show now its a different story i dont plait as it seems that not many people do and i have 3 bays so you poo stains are easily brushed off i think ive just got lazy and who plaits and who doesnt and why?

 

[Grey_Showjumper]

I plait! for hunting and eventing, but not showjumping (because no one else does)
Plus he has half a mane but if i plait it i can gel down the tufty bits and make him look much smarter

hes grey so also do the poo stains.. takes for ever, but he looks v. smart once hes done!

also my dad doesn't like me being "badly" turned out which means i have to plait!

 

[jumptoit]

I plait for all Dressage, Eventing and bigger Showjumping competitions. Unfortunately my mare, despite being dark bay, has the most disgusting tail in the world so whenever I take her for a group lesson, rally or competition she has to have it washed along with her back legs (I am so grateful for the hot water in the winter!!), in the summer she will have a full bath before most things and after I've ridden her most days too.

ETA:- I don't bother plaiting the tails as imo for what I do it isn't worth the hassle so instead I make sure it is very clean, conditioned and combed. Madam also rubs hers like mad which doesn't help either!

 

[Annette4]

I love plaiting so any excuse to do it and I have the thread out....I've also volunteered to plait for a friend this season

 

[LauraWheeler]

Lucy is hogged although still has her forelock so i plait that and her tail for everything.
Herbie is a reg new forest so no plaiting for him. (good plan

)
But i plait everything that isn't hogged or a reg native. I like plaiting and like my horses to look smart. To me it's all part of the fun.

 

[MandyMoo]

PLAITS:
hunting
dressage
ODE
hunter trials

NO PLAITS:
bsja

as no-one does for sj [HOWEVER i would plait for showjumping if i was in say the main indoor arena at scope or in a final at bluechips... but for normal bsja shows i dont bother] xxx

 

[MegaBeast]

I plait for eventing or dressage but not for showjumping or hunter trials

Always have to wash my girls back legs right up to her backside as she lies in her poo overnight before a show. Have bought some leg wraps which at least keep her socks clean but does nothing for her hocks

 

[millitiger]

i only plait for eventing.

don't plait for dressage or sj but we do have neat, short manes.

 

[jessamess]

Oh the joys of owning a pure bred arab <3 ha ha

Oh and a bay one, two less jobs for me

The only thing is I never know whether I should plait for dressage, I always plait for a championship/BD and leave the forlock... but I don't plait for like local and judges always seem to like seeing him traditionally turned out but tbh I feel quite scruffy ha ha I can't seem to bring myself not to plait for BD/championships though

His tail is obvs never plaited or touched, and his tail is sooo long and thick it looks to cool!!!

xxxx

 

[Koda]

Don't plait for showjumping, but would plait for dressage (and combined training).

 

[Lolo]

My horse is pit pony extrodinaire, so I plait for most things as a neat little TB with an afro looks a bit odd!! Just lowlevel SJ and XC we def don't but otherwise plaits are in (I'm quite quick so for 2 horses it only takes 45 minutes- would take less if sister's horse wasn't so big!!)

 

[wench]

I only do it for BE, as my plaiting is horrendous.

Although might have a bash next friday out hunting, as its the next farm along from the yard!