What are your feelings about whiskers?

NiceChristmasBaubles

NiceChristmasBaubles

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I tend to leave my horses' whiskers on and only take them off if I have to - e.g. showing. I am quite fussy about turnout when going to lessons etc and will always make sure my horses are clean (I have 2 greys, so I have to do quite a lot of cleaning!), manes are short and tidy (and pretty much always plait for dressage), tails are banged, beards and heels are trimmed. But I feel that they should keep their whiskers. Do they really need them though? My lot are out in the day and in at night, so it's not exactly like they are wandering around a moor in the dark and need the extra senses provided. What do you do? :)
 
I am totally against taking off whiskers much to the annoyance of several friends. I don't show though.

I did notice that several dressage horses at the Olympics had whiskers!
 
On, much to my friends disgust. I've told her if she ever dare takes my horses off, I'm taking her dogs off, no difference IMHO, they both have/need them for a reason.

My horse is otherwise unnatural though, short mane, clipped etc :)
 
I'm another whiskers fan! I too trim manes, tails, feathers, beards, whatever, but always leave whiskers. I remember reading a mag last year showing a step by step guide from a top showing producer to show preperation and they even clipped the eyelashes, which absolutely disgusted me!
 
Whiskers always stay on, even for showing as it's in the rules. :D

When producing an Arabian for the show ring it is to be left natural with no pulled or plaited manes or tails. No whiskers or tactile hair are to be removed, and no coloured make up or hoof oil is allowed. Only clear highlighter may be used and chalk can be used to enhance the natural white markings. Foals should be shown in their natural state.
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I refuse to take them off ever and in fact since my mares have grown back from when i bought her she hits her head much less (careless young warmblood with severe lack of spatial awareness)
 
Generally I leave them alone but ALWAYS off for showing - just looks so unprofessional leaving them on. Certain breeds do need them left alone though for showing too.
 
When I purchased my boy we picked him up with his ears clipped out and whiskers non-existent. They're finally growing back along with his fluffy little ears and shall stay like that, even in the show ring :)
 
Leave them on. I've done them in a grooms capacity on other peoples, & close up they do look smarter. But never done it by choice or on my own, I think they're there for a reason. Usually I'm keen on trimming/tidying anything else though.
 
I pull mane and trim legs but always leave on whiskers.

I don't mind how they look plus I don't show and am not that keen on "stubble" instead on whiskers.

Not that I could remove H's anyway as he would freak if I tried to!
 
I plan to leave mine on - felt a bit bad when I took them off last time and now I hate the stubble! So I won't touch them again. Except he's going to be clipped soon enough... THEN I'll leave them alone!
 
My query was prompted by this photo! He was trying to mob me for carrots. :p He does need his beard trimming, but he'll be keeping his whiskers. :)

F1E744DF-92DC-4FD0-B621-DC7681360A6A-2013-000002B95F05BF55.jpg
 
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I take them off, not ashamed to admit it - people will do both - their coat grows to keep them warm but we clip if off, their feathers grow to protect thier pasterns from bramble/attack in the wild and we cut that off too.... my horse isnt kept in the wild and has no problems living a happy healthy life without his whispys on. Each to their own I say.
 
I've only ever trimmed whiskers when I HAD to as a groom. Otherwise, I leave them on.
My girl is a M&M breed so they stay on for showing. She also lives out, 24/7, in a 100 acre field so needs her whiskers left alone as nature intended.
 
Sameru said:
I take them off, not ashamed to admit it - people will do both - their coat grows to keep them warm but we clip if off, their feathers grow to protect thier pasterns from bramble/attack in the wild and we cut that off too.... my horse isnt kept in the wild and has no problems living a happy healthy life without his whispys on. Each to their own I say.
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HHO bell of shame for you! :mad: :mad: :mad:








P.S. - I was given a bell of shame for putting black tack on a chestnut. :o
 
I leave them on, they are a vital part of the horse's equipment - I wouldn't cut my cat's whiskers off either!

But I prefer long manes and tails and I'm most upset that I've had to clip Draft horse's feather to deal with her scabby legs.
 
I trim them, I like the stubble feeling and he looks much tidier without but he won't let me clip them yet ..... I can't stand the long make me feel Bleugh.
 
I clip/trim/pull to the hilt but always leave the whiskers on.

I found out the other day that it is illegal to remove whiskers in Germany, apparently they class it as a welfare issue!!! Seems slightly odd given the use of rollkur !
 
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