| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 31 May 2009 : 8:15:25 PM
I notice in a lot of pictures that Arab's have the top part of their mane shaved / clipped.
Being a new Arab owner can you tel me why they do this? I'm taking my 4 year old to a local in-hand class in June, do i need to clip his mane?
How much should i take off?
I'm not sure he has ever had clippers near him...! If he doesn't like the clippers, can i do it with scissors?
Is their a book i can buy on showing Arabs that tells me all the tips / requirements so i don't have to keep asking you good people such silly questions..?  |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jo H |
Posted - 10 Jun 2009 : 11:01:47 PM
Shaved Mane for me!
I have entered Brooks Farm TC classes also, so I will see you there! |
| bey_sirocco |
Posted - 09 Jun 2009 : 4:43:35 PM
My arab had a small path clipped when I got him.
Will the judges mark me down if I try to grow it out?
Its only a dinky bit (about 1.5") I think she did it so his bridle not for cosmetics... |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 09 Jun 2009 : 3:50:54 PM
I can't believe all the replies to my post...! Obviously a subject that many have an opinion on. Thanks so much to everyone who has replied.
Emma B - Yes i agree Brook farm is a great venue. I take my nieces there quite a lot for the evening jumping. They love it.
The schedule i have says the in-hand classes will be outdoors and the ridden classes are all indoors. I hope it doesn't rain.... as i'm only doing the in-hand class (Arab, Anglo Arab and PBA). This will be Ozzy's first showing show (and mine as well), so hopefully we will both behave ourselves  . I just want to take him for a day out to mix with other horses and see what goes on at a show.
I'm probably going to meet up with a fellow ALiner as well (Donna72) so that's another reason to go along. |
| rafabreeze |
Posted - 09 Jun 2009 : 08:53:33 AM
Rafa has his shaved for shows then it grows out during the winter. As peeps have said before its a matter of choice for the individual. There is no right or wrong approach, its whatever you want. Georgina x |
| Emma B |
Posted - 09 Jun 2009 : 08:31:57 AM
Hi Nicole
Brook farm is lovely you will really like it there are you aware its all indoors. I have done dressage there and it is a really nice friendly place. I personally prefer unshaved but it is up to you completely. Good Luck and enjoy the show. |
| fidodido |
Posted - 06 Jun 2009 : 8:52:49 PM
Shaved manes for me aswell and i don't worry about them growing out as just keep them clipped   .
Angie |
| angelarab |
Posted - 06 Jun 2009 : 8:49:03 PM
i had intended to grow mine out, from July to April this year it had grown about six inches, but felt that i would be judged down as it would be seen as untidy rather then what it is, a bridle path growing out. tried plaiting and looked even worse so night before the show out came the clippers..can i say this was down to peer pressure? but i do think on some as long as not too long it does look nice |
| Zan |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 7:15:16 PM
Originally posted by MinHe
Since you're doing an 'open show' where there will be lots of other breeds present, I'd recommend you DON'T do it. Why not? Because it's one of the things that makes other equestrians point and laugh at Arabs as not being 'real horses'.
As others have said, it's nothing more than a fashion fad, like wearing jeans cut so low your rear cleavage shows whenever you bend - and about as attractive.
Keren
That's such a good analogy Keren
I hate half hogged manes personally , as I have said often before |
| Vera |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 5:56:56 PM
I don't do shaved manes either. Mine live out all summer and need the mane behind their ears to assist fly removal! |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 4:47:40 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Nichole |
| amy_southworth |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 1:03:28 PM
Shaved Manes without an ounce of doubt for me!!!!  |
| Otto |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 12:38:28 PM
My gelding has a shaved mane - to be honest I wish I hadn't done it although it looks OK, quite attractive in some ways. My dilemma now is when to grow it back because obviously its going to take ages and it is going to look terrible for a while - I really don't want to shorten the rest of it to level the growth out because he has a gorgeous long wavy mane.
If in doubt don't shave the mane as like I'm finding once done it is a pain to "un do"!!!
|
| gossy |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 11:27:07 PM
well my filly has scrubbed out all of her mane, any ideas???? i will post pics tomorrow!! |
| lisa rachel |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 11:16:49 PM
Exactly Keren!
|
| Roseanne |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 2:52:18 PM
They take a while too grow out, as jasjmm says, but my concern with a chestnut would be that the hair often grows back grey!! So beware as there are lovely champion Arabs out there which will have a distinct greying area behind the ears if and when they do grow their manes back. I have greys anyway but wouldn't do it because mine are out 24/7 and I believe they need the mane to take the rain away from the head and neck area.
Enjoy the show! |
| alethea |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 1:42:17 PM
Karen d.....you know you love the shaved manes really!!! lol   
Alethea
Aristotle Arabians
********** |
| jasjmm |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 1:16:24 PM
Hi Nichole
The bridle path is supposed to give an opportunity for a judge to see the horse's clean throatlatch and head better. If you are going to mixed or local shows, I wouldn't bother. If you are going to show at any really big shows, then I think they can look better. I must admit, I fought putting a bridle path into Madaba, my stallion's mane for years, but finally did one last year and I have to say it really suited him. Always worth considering too though, how long they take to grow out!! I will put bridle path back in this year (as soon as I can mend my clippers!) but only because I will probably show Madaba at UKIAHS again. That said, Marwan al Shaqab appeared on the International circuit last year WITHOUT a bridle path (this is a horse that has been World Champion 3 times). I did hear that they were out of favour in the US (or possibly his handler thought he had nothing to prove anyway!!!)
Good luck with your show! |
| MinHe |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 12:04:45 PM
Since you're doing an 'open show' where there will be lots of other breeds present, I'd recommend you DON'T do it. Why not? Because it's one of the things that makes other equestrians point and laugh at Arabs as not being 'real horses'.
As others have said, it's nothing more than a fashion fad, like wearing jeans cut so low your rear cleavage shows whenever you bend - and about as attractive.
Keren |
| Songbird |
Posted - 04 Jun 2009 : 10:23:45 AM
I'm not a fan myself of shaved manes but if I show in hand I sometimes compromise by doing a tiny tight neat crest plait for the area which would be shaved . That way you can have the best of both worlds . I've seen lots of top pros do that in the past before they all rushed for the clippers! |
| donna72_uk |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 8:11:32 PM
Hi Nichole when i first got Star he had a shaved bridle path and i was quite in shock lol i said in my head didn't they know your not suppose to do that with an arabSo i grew it all out well after going to watch at Towerlands the same year i realised a lot of the horses had it done and i came on here and asked the same question you have so really its your choice personally i prefer a full mane |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 7:55:42 PM
A mohican arab. Personally, I think it is a terrible shame to shave any part of a horse, but especially an arab. |
| gossy |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 7:42:27 PM
unfortunately mine has shaved hers herself on the nearest tree, she has mane at the top and bottom but mohican in the middle, very attractive(NOT) |
| Cage Alma Arabians |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 7:40:35 PM
We NEVER put bridle paths in. Don't like them and they are not necessary. As the horse trots out the mane flows back showing the neck anyway. And the judge walks round and looks at the horse from both sides.
Another unnecessary fashion!!
Full manes have never stopped us winning! |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 31 May 2009 : 10:09:29 PM
Thanks Kimzi, yes i think it is Felstead. I'll see how we get on at Brook Farm on 21st and then decide if i'm going. Thanks for the tip. |
| kimzi |
Posted - 31 May 2009 : 9:51:43 PM
Hi Nichole, which show is it?
If you're July one is felsted scrub up good as there is always a good turnout. |
