To plait or not?

[Coblette]

I’m doing our first little intro test on Sunday, it’s only a little local show but wondering if I should plait or not? Got a little traditional cob who’s clipped to manage mallenders and a couple of other skin irritations. Mane and tail also trimmed! Any suggestions welcome

 

[HashRouge]

I would because it looks nice, but I don't think you have to

 

[PSD]

I would but as it’s only local it won’t matter too much.

Though if this pony were mine I’d be hogging ?

 

[Coblette]

I would but as it’s only local it won’t matter too much.

Though if this pony were mine I’d be hogging ?

Noooo ? I can’t face hogging scared I’d regret it!

 

[PSD]

Noooo ? I can’t face hogging scared I’d regret it!

It’ll grow back ?

 

[Rumtytum]

I didn’t for my first test (Intro) because I didn’t know I was supposed to… was informed nicely afterwards that they liked to see them plaited.
Good luck! Looking forward to your report + photos ?

 

[Coblette]

It’ll grow back ?

I know but it’s the in between stage that haunts me!!

 

[PSD]

I know but it’s the in between stage that haunts me!!

Haha love a Mohawk!

 

[Coblette]

I didn’t for my first test (Intro) because I didn’t know I was supposed to… was informed nicely afterwards that they liked to see them plaited.
Good luck! Looking forward to your report + photos ?

Thanks! Ok I will plait I know it’s the done thing just I’ve never plaited her up & not sure if it will look weird on a little coblet!

 

[Rumtytum]

Haha love a Mohawk!

You mean like this? ?

 

[Coblette]

Tbh I don’t know why I’m so nervous about it, she’s the most chilled out pony. But not done a test since 2019 and that was with my ex-racer!

 

[Coblette]

You mean like this? ?
View attachment 76610

? love it. How long did it take to grow back?

 

[Rumtytum]

It didn’t - he was hogged again ?, but I’d think it must take a minimum of a year to grow through the Mohican stage to something like normal length.

 

[splashgirl45]

i write for judges quite a bit and although it doesnt earn you extra marks the judges like to see clean horse, well turned out and smart rider and if most are plaited and one comes in looking like its just been dragged out of the field it looks like the rider cant be bothered so i dont know if this changes how the judge views the test.... different if it is a native pony though...i

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I don’t plait my connemara. I just plait after her pre show bath so it is at least all on one side.

 

[splashgirl45]

thats fine for natives she looks nice and clean and you look smart, but cobs look better plaited or hogged, although i dont like the look of hogged personally.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

thats fine for natives she looks nice and clean and you look smart, but cobs look better plaited or hogged, although i dont like the look of hogged personally.

Omg no one has ever referred to us as clean or smart ? I love you.

I don’t know why but I always thought cobs fell under the same kind of umbrella as natives!

 

[Carrottom]

First impressions count - plait mane , not tail. Get a practice run plaiting if you have time so you can decide how many/what size plaits look best. Good luck!

 

[Coblette]

First impressions count - plait mane , not tail. Get a practice run plaiting if you have time so you can decide how many/what size plaits look best. Good luck!

Good idea, although thinking about it I only have black bands ?

 

[Rumtytum]

This was in the days before he was hogged, our second competition and my first ever attempt at plaiting… note the forelock aerial ?.
His ears say it all…..

 

[splashgirl45]

any friends you can cadge some white ones from or local tack shop

 

[Coblette]

any friends you can cadge some white ones from or local tack shop

I keep pony at home so afraid not! Amazon prime is very handy ?

 

[splashgirl45]

you had better get ordering then

lucky you to be able to keep him at home, thats always been my dream..

 

[Flowerofthefen]

If the mane is tidy no need to plait. Only plait if your plaits look good!!

 

[muddybay]

This was in the days before he was hogged, our second competition and my first ever attempt at plaiting… note the forelock aerial ?.
His ears say it all…..
View attachment 76633

You're lucky to have a forelock to plait! My TB barely has a forelock so I have to tie it in a thin man bun

 

[Goldenstar]

My freelancer has a great trick she puts the mane into bunches then you put your fingers through the middle above the band and pull the bunch through it looks neat and as if they are plaited from the near side and as if you have funky cob thing going on on the other .
Blues growing a hog out and it’s still hard to get the plaits smart .

 

[Leandy]

Looking at your picture of his mane, yes I would plait. He will look much smarter. It shows respect for the judge and the organisers and you will feel more "professional" if you plait for the occasion. Virtually everyone for affiliated competition plaits so yes it is expected and correct turn out. It isn't like SJ where almost no-one bothers. You won't actively lose marks for not plaiting but looking smart and workmanlike will give a better first impression for the judge and will help you feel "the part". I have only not plaited for really early ones on a young horse where her mane was neatly pulled short and she looked smart enough in any event. I'm afraid your cob's mane is not in that category!

 

[Coblette]

Little update on first dressage outing! Sorry it’s a bit delayed, baby (human version) is very demanding at the moment ?. I came last, which was 5th but we scored 74.68 which I thought wasn’t too bad for a first attempt although thinking maybe the judge was a little soft! Scored all 6 and 7s so I was pleased with little coblet! And I did plait… will try to attach some piccies ?

 

[Rumtytum]

Congratulations- that’s a really impressive score (which I’ve never achieved)!
Hope you can attach pics, looking forward to seeing coblet with plaits ?

 

[Coblette]

Hopefully these work…