Haflingers and Hunter Shows

Carri · 10-28-2009, 07:38 AM

I know you guys have met Sunshine, Grace's Haffie pony. Grace is taking her to a small local show and showing her in walk trot this weekend, and we don't know what to do with her mane. It is a thick double mane, and Grace does not want it thinned or pulled. Should I just leave it natural, or try to braid it? Any ideas? No-one else will be braided, it is a really informal show.

paso_lover · 10-28-2009, 07:45 AM

When Kenya rode english, I left it as is. I was told to cut a bridle path but refused

that mane of theirs is just so darned thick and nice that a path would look stupid. I do have somewhere a picture of Tucker when her friend braided it, wonder if I can find it......let me look.

right side

left

Comfort · 10-28-2009, 07:46 AM

From the non rated and even C rated shows that are around here, everyone leaves the Haffie's mane as is. No braiding, no pulling.

merleliz · 10-28-2009, 10:52 AM

Leave it natural, Carri...a haffie's mane is her "crowning glory"!

Horselady44 · 10-28-2009, 10:58 AM

Yes....def leave it long! ...and show us a picture of it too while your at it

I love LONG manes...I just wish my mares would grow

singing tree · 10-28-2009, 03:02 PM

If she were mine, I would at least wash it and band it to get it to stay on the same side. Most will, at least for the day, if left to dry that way. Then take the bands out and use a little gel to keep the top hairs where they belong. The other option is doing a lattice, which also involves getting the mane on one side. There is so much there you have many options

canteringkids · 10-28-2009, 04:05 PM

I agree with singing tree about the banding. She will look natural and yet prepared for the show (vs leaving the double mane)

Lattice manes are really pretty but will probably be frowned on at a hunter show (even if it is small). The whole braiding tradition came from keeping manes out of the way when the hunters were galloping/jumping across the countryside and a lattice braid doesn't even pretend to do that.

Running or french braids are nice (and quick!) but it's best to do them as close to the last minute as possible because they pull out and get "wrinkled" fairly quickly, especially if the horse puts its head down to graze/eat hay.

Good luck at the show!! Can't wait to see the pics!

Miichelle · 10-28-2009, 05:05 PM

I like the idea of banding to keep their manes under control.

I pulled Jelly Bean's double mane and it came back in standing straight up so we roached it like a Fjord's. On him it works because he has a big head and short neck (even for a Haffie) and it balances him out. I wouldn't recommend it for all Haffies but it works for him (he's not your typical looking Haflinger anyway). When his mane is long it makes his head look bigger and his neck even shorter, not to mention Kylie gets her hands caught in it when she's jumping.

mdDVM · 10-29-2009, 06:13 AM

I like the roached mane. Cute!

BarnBum · 10-29-2009, 06:18 AM

El-natural

A clean, combed, flowing mane is gorgeous on Haffies !!!

Charge the camera batts NOW

No excuses for no pictures !!

Miichelle · 10-29-2009, 11:41 AM

After thinking about it, I think that a lattice with only two rows of bands would look good (almost natural but neater). It would also stay out of the way a bit better and not get in the way like a full lattice would. I've seen Arabs done like this and it looks good. Kylie let me pull Jelly Bean's mane after she got her hands tangled in his mane while jumping cross country and fell off. Long manes are pretty but can actually be a safety issue when jumping...

canteringkids · 11-01-2009, 06:04 AM

So, how'd it go?

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10-28-2009, 07:38 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,646	Haflingers and Hunter Shows I know you guys have met Sunshine, Grace's Haffie pony. Grace is taking her to a small local show and showing her in walk trot this weekend, and we don't know what to do with her mane. It is a thick double mane, and Grace does not want it thinned or pulled. Should I just leave it natural, or try to braid it? Any ideas? No-one else will be braided, it is a really informal show.

10-28-2009, 07:45 AM
paso_lover Kid Safe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 6,679	When Kenya rode english, I left it as is. I was told to cut a bridle path but refused that mane of theirs is just so darned thick and nice that a path would look stupid. I do have somewhere a picture of Tucker when her friend braided it, wonder if I can find it......let me look. right side left __________________ "Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda Last edited by paso_lover : 10-28-2009 at 08:03 AM. Reason: pictures

10-28-2009, 07:46 AM
Comfort Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Zeiglerville, PA Posts: 61	From the non rated and even C rated shows that are around here, everyone leaves the Haffie's mane as is. No braiding, no pulling. __________________ Brandy and Southern Comfort. Never owned but always loved.

10-28-2009, 10:52 AM
merleliz Seasoned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fairburn, Georgia Posts: 4,467	Leave it natural, Carri...a haffie's mane is her "crowning glory"! __________________ VOTE FOR "DUSTY TRAILS HORSE RESCUE" DAILY IN THE PETFINDER SHELTER CHALLENGE! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3

10-28-2009, 10:58 AM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,395	Yes....def leave it long! ...and show us a picture of it too while your at it I love LONG manes...I just wish my mares would grow __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

10-28-2009, 03:02 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	If she were mine, I would at least wash it and band it to get it to stay on the same side. Most will, at least for the day, if left to dry that way. Then take the bands out and use a little gel to keep the top hairs where they belong. The other option is doing a lattice, which also involves getting the mane on one side. There is so much there you have many options

10-28-2009, 04:05 PM
canteringkids Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 442	I agree with singing tree about the banding. She will look natural and yet prepared for the show (vs leaving the double mane) Lattice manes are really pretty but will probably be frowned on at a hunter show (even if it is small). The whole braiding tradition came from keeping manes out of the way when the hunters were galloping/jumping across the countryside and a lattice braid doesn't even pretend to do that. Running or french braids are nice (and quick!) but it's best to do them as close to the last minute as possible because they pull out and get "wrinkled" fairly quickly, especially if the horse puts its head down to graze/eat hay. Good luck at the show!! Can't wait to see the pics!

10-28-2009, 05:05 PM
Miichelle Started Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 2,466	I like the idea of banding to keep their manes under control. I pulled Jelly Bean's double mane and it came back in standing straight up so we roached it like a Fjord's. On him it works because he has a big head and short neck (even for a Haffie) and it balances him out. I wouldn't recommend it for all Haffies but it works for him (he's not your typical looking Haflinger anyway). When his mane is long it makes his head look bigger and his neck even shorter, not to mention Kylie gets her hands caught in it when she's jumping.

10-29-2009, 06:13 AM
mdDVM Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 76	I like the roached mane. Cute!

10-29-2009, 06:18 AM
BarnBum Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 5,850	El-natural A clean, combed, flowing mane is gorgeous on Haffies !!! Charge the camera batts NOW No excuses for no pictures !! __________________ *Life is a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.*

10-29-2009, 11:41 AM
Miichelle Started Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 2,466	After thinking about it, I think that a lattice with only two rows of bands would look good (almost natural but neater). It would also stay out of the way a bit better and not get in the way like a full lattice would. I've seen Arabs done like this and it looks good. Kylie let me pull Jelly Bean's mane after she got her hands tangled in his mane while jumping cross country and fell off. Long manes are pretty but can actually be a safety issue when jumping... Last edited by Miichelle : 10-29-2009 at 11:51 AM.

11-01-2009, 06:04 AM
canteringkids Weanling Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 442	So, how'd it go?