Should my friend hog her cob?

Question

I'm basically asking this on my mates behalf. She has just bought a middle-weight cob, originally for just hacking and riding club stuff, but someone said that he's good quality and they should start showing. I red somewhere that cobs should have their manes hogged. is this necessary?

Answer 1

Well I have a few friends that have hogged their cobs, but hogging generally works best on a heavy looking cob with lots of muscle because hogging can really accentuate the top line of the horse and if they have a good strong neck and shoulder then it can really sell those features to the judges.

It tends to work better on darker horses as well because it is not such a distinct feature as with horses that have light manes it can make them look a little unnatural.

Answer 2

there is no need to hog for local shows. and you never plait a cob they are either hogged or natural and flowing.  tell you friend that she can show local shows natural, just make sure that the mane, tail and feathers are clean and silky. if you clip feather off then you will have to hog, but i would leave them all on.  if you want a horse with no feather and hair buy a t.b. if you have a potential county show cob then you will have to hog at county level, but if your cob is coloured then show as a traditional vanner all feather and mane

Answer 3

NO! I HATE IT WHEN FOLK HOG OFF THESE WONDERFULL ANIMALS MANE. IN POLO I GUESS ITS OK AND IN RACING BUT IN SHOWING NO. I LOVE IT WHEN THEY ARE ALL BRUSHED AND THEY'RE FEATHERS FLOATING FROM THEIR FEET AND THEIR MANES FOLLOWING.

Answer 4

it's not necessary and i like the more natural look. i wouldn't do it because she doesn't have to and it limits other events that she can go in.

Answer 5

I generally prefer most cobs left natural as a personal preference but most showing classes seem to want them hogged and trimmed unless they are a native such as a Welsh Cob.  If she is undecided, try a few small local ones natural and see how they get on.  Or go to a few shows and see what others are doing and speak tot he judges to ask their view.

Answer 6

Yep! Hogged and feathers off those heels too. Pulled tail.

Good luck there are to few good showing cob's out there. I have one & he is Fab'!

Answer 7

hogging realy is to do with preferance, but for showing really it should be hogged! at smaller shows plaiting is fine, but realy he should hogged if your going to do more than showing. I think that it also enhances there appearance because if gives them a strong top line, but i prefer something to hold on to out hunting etc. There are both fors and against hogging. For- you spend less time plaiting, easier to keep clean, Against- FLYS, needs regular clipping to keep it neat...... and many more. So for now i would not hog, untill the shows get bigger etc. good luck

Answer 8

um no i dont think do infact i think native ponies such as cobs have to be left in there natural state for shows as a rule (or at least it is for tack and turnout) and unless the horse has sweet itch or something i dont see the need. also i think personally non hogged looks better.

Answer 9

No it's not necessary! I have a grey cob and she looks beautiful with her mane!

Don't hog the cob!

Answer 10

It really depends on the type of cob for example:

Small native types 14hh and under-, should mane and tail always unplaited and untrimmed, tail should be full and unplaited. Untrimmed feathers and mane no shorter than 6 inches.http://www.fellponysociety.org/images/Br...

Shetland type- Untrimmed in its natural state http://www.flickr.com/photos/rozpravka/1...

Large native e.g. gypsy cob- All show requirements are the same as the small native, feathery and fine. http://www.drumandfeather.com/kelseyandF...

Traditional cob over 15hh- a) shown in natural state with hair, same guidelines as natives.

b) Shown as show cobs hogged and trimmed

So therefore is personal choice, but however it is generally followed if you have a heavy-weight cob then the mane and feathers are hogged. http://www.equiworld.net/UK/members/memb... (hogged)

http://image46.webshots.com/46/5/33/8/25... (natural)

Hope i shedded some light, but if your friend has a picture of her horse, i would be able to tell you straight away:) good luck!

Answer 11

If she's not actually showing right now then no. I think they look pretty awful like that - it's very old fashioned and supposed to show off the neck. It also takes ages to grow back.

Leave the mane on until she works out what she's doing with him.

Answer 12

Wtf does hog a cob mean?? Why's this in the horse section? aren't ya talking about pigs? maaan.

Answer 13

I prefer a horse to have a mane, simply as a fly and rain protector.  She does not have to hog him.  I well remember horses who were hogged had to be regularly re-done, and it is not an easy job to hog without leaving marks.  You need a steady hand and a steady horse.

It does depend on the shape and build of the horse.  Why not just grow his mane and plait it.  That would give an equally good effect and the horse gets to keep his protection!

Answer 14

If she is doing polo! hunter or jumper no....what disipline?

Answer 15

no...not nessercerily just coz it's a cob you don't have to hog it';s mane. She could just plait it if sahe wants

Answer 16

i really dont like it. it makes the horse look less magestic and bony.

but if they think its right then go for it.