Expirience?!?

Question

Hi there,

Im taking my pony to a show tomorrow and was wondering if i should braid or not. as of right now we arent doing ANY classes its just for expirience so should i braid ( hunter)?

my mom said i should so that he knows that for a show he gets braided, a bathe, and that kind of stuff?

what do you think?

Answer 1

I think that would be a good idea.  Part of acclimating a horse or pony to the show atmosphere is giving them a sort of routine for show day.  When I show my mare she always knows that she gets an extra long grooming, braids, hoof polish, etc.  Giving your pony a sort of schedule/routine will make him much calmer.

Answer 2

Honestly, i think that's a little wasteful of you mother's money. Braid your horse yourself another time. You'll get practice and he'll be comfortable with the process. I compete in AA hunter shows and no one braids their horses until they show.

Answer 3

you could braid , then right before your class un braid it then the tail looks nice and smooth. that works for me ,and your moms advice is good to.(and if the horse does  roll the tail wont get tangled)

Answer 4

Braiding I think always makes it feel more exciting, its like getting 'ready' for the show for your horse. He knows he will look good and I think its a good idea to braid and bathe etc so that he gets used to the routine. Plus as someone said, you will look like you belong. And your horse will be very adorable. In terms of having to braid, if it isn't a huge show and you aren't riding, you certainly don't have to. But you should bathe him, you don't want to have a dirty dusty horse at a show.

Answer 5

i think you should braid

Answer 6

it depends.  if your pony has a gorgeous tail then i wouldn't braid it other wise the judge will think it has extensions.  (*this has happened to m b4)  i don't think you need to bathe your pony and braid it because your not showing and this takes time.  and if you know that your pony will let you do all of this anyway then why take up time.  also, if your pony doesn't like the show then they might put braiding with a show and refuse to get braided.

Answer 7

I like your mom's theory, but personally I don't like braided hair in shows.  I think the movement of the mane adds to the show, and braiding just makes it sit there.

Answer 8

Well, it's definitely not necessary (but you already know that)...if it were my horse, I would probably braid him, just to be able to take some good photos of him at the show looking all cleaned up. Plus you want him to fit in ;)

Also, if you decide to enter him into a halter class or fun class, he'll be all ready.

Answer 9

well, i think it would be good for both of u to get the practice of braiding manes (and him having his mane braided)

Answer 10

Why not, it's for practice and practice makes perfect!!

The more you do it..the better you'll get..and you want him to look like he "belongs".. right?

Answer 11

Braiding for a show teaches you how to "braid for a show" it doesn't matter if you're showing or not.

Braid, it will give you practice...

Answer 12

I think that would be good idea to braid him so that he knows the routine.

Answer 13

na

Answer 14

If you're just taking the horse down for experience, I would say don't braid.  If you want to get exposure,  and make a good statement for you and you trainer, I would definitely braid.