Whiskers on : off ? Competition horses

I dont compete but definitely on. Hence why I only ever clip half a face (plus I dont think he'd let me do it all even sedated)

I also trim ear hair (when sedated only time id get near it) but only so it doesn't poke out I hate bald inside ears like you often see on showjumpers

I actually think whiskers look nice aside from they serve a purpose I can remember when I was a kid and there was a pony at the rs who's whiskers they tried to trim and he went beserk
 
maggiestar said:
It's entirely avoidable. Just trim around them! Dogs need their whiskers too.
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Poodles that are in a breed specific style don’t have their faces trimmed, they’re shaved on a short blade meaning that it is unavoidable as per my original post. It is extremely tricky to avoid cutting whiskers on other long haired breeds even if their faces are being kept longer. Luckily dogs don't rely on their whiskers in the same way that horses or cats do
 
racebuddy said:
Obviously through lockdown no shows so horses were allowed to be roughed off
Always had show horses / workers and showjumpers

show horses And workers always had there whiskers off

but ive always left the showjumpers on

now just hace showjumping horses i always leave there whiskers on ,

full clip and face but leave legs and whiskers on

what does everybody else do ?
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I wont take mine off, i did in the 70'sand 80's and did with my late mare but she jerked her head back out her feed when i took them off, so never again if a judge don't like it tough. My horse feels by their whiskers and for one stupid show, i wont remove them, so the rest of their time they cannot feel by them,
 
I also think whiskers look cute. Mind you beards and moustaches come off. Afaik they don't need them for anything anyway, bar extra warmth.
 
mule said:
I also think whiskers look cute. Mind you beards and moustaches come off. Afaik they don't need them for anything anyway, bar extra warmth.
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I had someone else clip the beast a few years ago. They took everything off bar the legs, including ear hair and whiskers. I will say that he looked like a supermodel but i missed his fluffy ears ?
I'd imagine he missed them too because I'd say they need ear hair to protect from flies
 
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skinnydipper said:
Please read - all of it.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-have-whiskers
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What's your point? I haven't said that dog's whiskers are functionless but it's a proven fact that they aren't used in the same way or essential like cat's are. I'm not suggesting they be removed for appearance sake but it's inevitable that virtually every single long haired dog will have had it's whiskers trimmed when groomed.

Anyway, I digress - I have far better ways to spend my weekend than debating dog whiskers! I'll continue to keep my dogs well groomed and cared for. Enjoy your weekend :)
 
gingergreg said:
What's your point? I haven't said that dog's whiskers are functionless but it's a proven fact that they aren't used in the same way or essential like cat's are. I'm not suggesting they be removed for appearance sake but it's inevitable that virtually every single long haired dog will have had it's whiskers trimmed when groomed.

Anyway, I digress - I have far better ways to spend my weekend than debating dog whiskers! I'll continue to keep my dogs well groomed and cared for. Enjoy your weekend :)
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Thank you - you have just reminded me why taking the trouble to share information is very often time wasted.



Whiskers need protection

A good portion of the dog’s brain is devoted to processing data from touch sensors. Whiskers are very reliable touch sensors so almost 40% of the brain’s sensory area aligns with parts of the body that have whiskers. Each individual whisker can be traced back to a specific spot in the brain which means that whiskers occupy valuable neurological real estate in a dog’s body.

Because whiskers are so important to a dog’s ability to safely function inside and outside, we need to protect them. When petting your dog, touch the whiskers very gently along the grain. Don’t pluck or pull on the whiskers which will be painful for your pup. When grooming your dog, avoid cutting the whiskers, because this may decrease his special awareness and confuse him.
 
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skinnydipper said:
Thank you - you have just reminded me why taking the trouble to share information is very often time wasted.



Whiskers need protection

A good portion of the dog’s brain is devoted to processing data from touch sensors. Whiskers are very reliable touch sensors so almost 40% of the brain’s sensory area aligns with parts of the body that have whiskers. Each individual whisker can be traced back to a specific spot in the brain which means that whiskers occupy valuable neurological real estate in a dog’s body.

Because whiskers are so important to a dog’s ability to safely function inside and outside, we need to protect them. When petting your dog, touch the whiskers very gently along the grain. Don’t pluck or pull on the whiskers which will be painful for your pup. When grooming your dog, avoid cutting the whiskers, because this may decrease his special awareness and confuse him.
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Why, because I don't suddenly acquiesce after reading a poorly written article containing spelling and grammatical errors? What do you propose should happen re grooming heads/faces? C&G Level 3 recommended books for groomers specifically state that whiskers can be left on or removed. Avoiding whiskers whilst trimming faces is NOT an easy task and is near on impossible unless the dog is extremely well behaved which is a rarity.

To imply that thousands of owners are doing their dogs an injustice by having their faces trimmed is absurd.
 
It was about whiskers, but you said "never chop off ANYTHING that nature put on", so I just wanted to clarify if that also meant testicles as well. No need to get on the defensive Tristar - I know you received a right pasting on the dressage horse thread but we're not all out to get you.
 
gingergreg said:
Oh I see! I can't possibly change my mind despite being antagonised yet I'm expected to do so when shown that article, ok ;)
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You were antagonised? Really? By whom?

I really don't understand your problem but nevertheless as the article I linked to, written by a vet, didn't suit you here is another by
Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC - The Surprising Reasons Why Dogs Have Whiskers.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/...the-surprising-reasons-why-dogs-have-whiskers

I have no wish to derail this thread further.

Enjoy your weekend.
 
Only reason is just out of curiosity what people do since horse and hound did a article about it and thought why not ask the question
 
gingergreg said:
Poodles that are in a breed specific style don’t have their faces trimmed, they’re shaved on a short blade meaning that it is unavoidable as per my original post. It is extremely tricky to avoid cutting whiskers on other long haired breeds even if their faces are being kept longer. Luckily dogs don't rely on their whiskers in the same way that horses or cats do
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Why don't you put human vanity aside for the sake of your dog? Poodles don't care about the shape of their trim. They just want their bloody whiskers.
 
There are certain people in the world who would still be docking horses tails because they think it looks smart. Or perhaps using the bearing rein. Think hard about whether you're doing these things for yourself because it's certainly not for the animal.
 
I do showing shows with my trad cob, I trim up but always leave whiskers on, there is no legitimate excuse in my opinion for taking them off.
 
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