I have an andalusian and I’ve never taken a horse to a dressage show that didn’t have a short, pulled mane to plait. He has a very big mane and it’s is too long and thick to plait, how do you do it up for a dressage show? Is it considered informal to leave it down? Would a normal french braid be innapropriate?
God no. That’s not what I asked. His mane is gorgeous and I could never pull it.
I also have an Andy with a very thick and long mane. A couple of long manes in my herd, and since I ride dressage primarily, I too have to deal with this.
You can part the mane in the middle, half on the right, and half on the left and do the half french or viennese braid, one on each side. It often looks better that way than one big thick braid, and it is less likely to pull the crest over, making the horse crooked and uncomfortable.
You can also do a lattice type of braid. It looks very complicated, but is in fact quick and easy to put in and take out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockandracehorses/2509908821/ or http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/lattice-diamond-braid-155109.html I prefer to use bands that match the mane; less distracting.
You band the mane in 2-3 inch sections from ears to withers. Then you divide each of those sections in half, and band them to the halves from either side. Repeat over and over, keeping the bands in horizontal lines. You may do it all the way to the ends of the mane, or you can stop after 3-5 rows, letting the ends move freely (I like the look of that myself)
I take out the bands with a hoof pick pulled down through the weaving. Soooo easy, and very fancy looking. It doesn’t pull the crest over or inhibit a good downward stretch in the stretchy circle or the free walk!
add–don’t braid his tail; that’s and event or hunter thing, not a dressage thing…..leave the forelock free unless it just happens to be quite short or your horse prefers it. One of my guys much prefers to have his forelock out of his eyes, so I have a funky braid I do.
April 7th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I also have an Andy with a very thick and long mane. A couple of long manes in my herd, and since I ride dressage primarily, I too have to deal with this.
You can part the mane in the middle, half on the right, and half on the left and do the half french or viennese braid, one on each side. It often looks better that way than one big thick braid, and it is less likely to pull the crest over, making the horse crooked and uncomfortable.
You can also do a lattice type of braid. It looks very complicated, but is in fact quick and easy to put in and take out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockandracehorses/2509908821/ or http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/lattice-diamond-braid-155109.html I prefer to use bands that match the mane; less distracting.
You band the mane in 2-3 inch sections from ears to withers. Then you divide each of those sections in half, and band them to the halves from either side. Repeat over and over, keeping the bands in horizontal lines. You may do it all the way to the ends of the mane, or you can stop after 3-5 rows, letting the ends move freely (I like the look of that myself)
I take out the bands with a hoof pick pulled down through the weaving. Soooo easy, and very fancy looking. It doesn’t pull the crest over or inhibit a good downward stretch in the stretchy circle or the free walk!
add–don’t braid his tail; that’s and event or hunter thing, not a dressage thing…..leave the forelock free unless it just happens to be quite short or your horse prefers it. One of my guys much prefers to have his forelock out of his eyes, so I have a funky braid I do.
References :
You are not required to braid; braiding shows respect for the judge (same with gloves). A neat appearance limits the distraction of movement to the judges eye, so you can be judged to the best effect.
April 7th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
You don’t have to pull it. You can do it in a running braid with a dressage bun in his forelock and braid halfway down his tailbone. Braiding Manes and Tails by Lewis has some good examples. I found a copy of it at the library.
References :