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suyents
Platinum Member
 United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 9:29:20 PM
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i would like to congratulate all those breeders out there who have finally perfected the gene for bald head and necks...i realise it has taken some time to be fully successful, as along the way it has no doubt been responsible for the appearance of bodies that appear tubular and legs that appear to look like toothpicks.
However, with this season's new crop of foals, we can finally enjoy the bald headed Arabian in all its glory. Foals no longer have to suffer the ignominy of fluffy faces but have a svelte new look, all the better for those admirers who cannot discern a typey face when they see one...Some lucky breeders have even managed to achieve the bald neck as well, so that youngstock now models the latest fashion in body hair from the shoulder line backwards, almost as if the image has been Photo cropped or the lucky individual clothed in the latest cashmere jumper.
it must make breeders so far not able to emulate this latest genetic fashion truly despair, as their foals frolic in the Spring sunshine with fully foliated faces, as would be buyers or admirers are obviously too ignorant nowadays to appreciate any beauty under the hirsute look Nature intended.
Thank goodness for the erstwhile clipper; will we soon be blessed with completely hairless Arabians, or would that show up too many faults...After all, since foals are clipped to prove how stunning they are, should we assume that the unclipped face has something to hide??
OBVIOUSLY...NOT!!
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 9:31:36 PM
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Nice one!
"Foals no longer have to suffer the ignominy of fluffy faces but have a svelte new look, all the better for those admirers who cannot discern a typey face when they see one..."
Oh yeah!
Keren |
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Nashiba
Bronze Member
235 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 9:37:52 PM
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Have you got a good hiding place Suyen?
I've just crawled out of mine after the last time I mentioned the C...... word. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 9:39:21 PM
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| I personally do not like to see clipped heads and necks of foals, all foals heads look small and delicate, what you have to worry about is when they are older and that beautiful dished face looks like a !!!~~##.../? |
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Red Rum
Gold Member
England
508 Posts |
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doug ault
Platinum Member
Wales
1688 Posts |
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kimzi
Gold Member
865 Posts |
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brack369
Gold Member
559 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2012 : 10:07:36 PM
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| Oh so it's to make them look "pretty" I'd been wondering what that foal clip was all about. |
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Cinnypony
Gold Member
1160 Posts |
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complete novice
Gold Member
831 Posts |
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jackiedo
Gold Member
England
1370 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 09:13:49 AM
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| Also, remember, that in some lines in particular, the head "dries out" with age.... so this is not always a good indication of what you are going to get |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 10:32:02 AM
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| I think it makes them look moth eaten, the first time I saw it I assumed the foal was recovering from mange or something. |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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kim gasper
Bronze Member
England
136 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 10:46:28 AM
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Just wanted to press my LIKEbutton also! & add that I hate "panda eyes" & rediculously W-I-D-E- "bridlepaths" as well!! Now I'm off to hide also! |
Many years experience owning & riding my own horses. Fell in love with Arabians at 11 years old when given a ride on "Trevallion", a 3/4 bred who was a livery where I worked as a stablehand. I have never forgotten that ride, Thank You Yvonne- should you ever read this!I now have 2 beautiful purebreds.
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amy_southworth
Silver Member
United Kingdom
350 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 10:50:45 AM
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YAWNNNNNNNN............ same old!! If you don't like it, don't do it......!!!
But thankfully I have youngsters who stand there without head collar for full body clip with the loud electric clippers (!!) with no fear or panic........... an Arab youngster do that naturally without imprinting??? YEA RIGHT!!!!
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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" |
Edited by - amy_southworth on 06 Apr 2012 10:53:54 AM |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 11:22:38 AM
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Won't try it with mine as I quite like them with two ears and having never clipped anything.........
Although I pesonally don't see the need I do know that well handled foals who are introduced to the clippers kindly generally don't mind and it does get them used to it for showing later in life. I wish we could just go back to Arabs with the lovely fine coats nature intended and just take off the excess hair on heels etc. I was chuffed when a few friends came to see the horses and commented "oh, you've clipped Einstein". He has never had clippers near him, just a very fine coat with no stray tufts on heels, ears etc.
Barbara |
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moonlight
Platinum Member
2000 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 11:35:57 AM
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Completely agree with Sueyents, each to their own I suppose, but I wouldn't do it and I don't like looking at it, in no way does it enhance the natural beauty of Arab foals or mature horses at all. Let horses be horses and especially let foals be foals! |
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Lanabanana
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2691 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2012 : 11:39:01 AM
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Could I just point out that there IS a 'like button' on here, just a shame you can't 'like' individual posts.
Have to say this is the way to start a loooooonnng thread on AL, just a shame it's been done to death already.
Although I'm not a huge fan of the look and haven't bred a foal for years so it doesn't really apply to me, I really don't see this as a massive issue especially when there are so many horses being neglected or dumped, which is exactly why I'm not adding to the Arab/animal population (not that I ever sell mine anyway), but I'm getting to the age where my horses could outlive me.
All I can say is 'if you DON'T like it DON'T do it'!  |
     
Hampshire. |
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 1:08:19 PM
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Well, the idea of it being a welfare issue just hadn't crossed my mind, but thank you to all of those who obviously DO immediately assume it is a welfare issue, which tells me that the idea is there in the collective subconscious....
as for the "If you don't like it, don't do it" school of thought, there are many things which should not be done even if individuals DO like them...murder and mayhem come to mind immediately...
No doubt there are many out there who now feel that the Arabian Horse has evolved to BE a Head and Neck..After all, why else clip out ONLY the head and neck..what is the POINT being made here?? but i remember the days when long backs, weak loins, off-set cannons, short second thighs and exfoliated eyes were not overlooked...indeed, were actually frowned upon!! AND recognised!!
i am thinking that with this genetic evolution we shall soon be able to selectively breed for legs with hair just down one side, thereby negating any need to even recognise an off set cannon, hairier loins to make them look fluffed out and shorter, and bald shoulders and quarters to emphasize the bulk between elbow and hock....Heaven help us if the genes should happen to get muddled up and we end up with hairy ears and naturally docked tails!! |
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kimzi
Gold Member
865 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 3:46:00 PM
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Actually i must admit i fully clipped my 2 year old last summer when it got hot (she still had alot of winter coat), she had never had the clippers near her as a foal and stood like a rock, same with the 9 year old. So imprinting isnt a valid excuse. Its just a way of saying mine is more typey, delicate, seahorsey whatever than yours when you want to show them off to the world. After all if you had no intention of showing them off in some form you would'nt do it as it would be a waste of time to all round. |
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amy_southworth
Silver Member
United Kingdom
350 Posts |
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amy_southworth
Silver Member
United Kingdom
350 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 5:32:35 PM
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| Originally posted by suyents
No doubt there are many out there who now feel that the Arabian Horse has evolved to BE a Head and Neck..After all, why else clip out ONLY the head and neck..what is the POINT being made here?? but i remember the days when long backs, weak loins, off-set cannons, short second thighs and exfoliated eyes were not overlooked...indeed, were actually frowned upon!! AND recognised!!
Disagree on this point too...
Only clipping the head and neck out on a foal has it's logical reasons... these areas are the most visible at this young age to have an indication for the future!
Those who can spot a 19-19-19 body & top line on a one week old foal are taking a wild card guess!
Yes head and neck are important on the modern show Arab, however I'm sorry but those show horses with bad flaws, in body, top line etc etc normally come unstuck at some point... don't be under any misconception that the points system doesn't 'usually' pick up on these flaws...
Great recent example, a highly decorated famous stallion attended a European show last year and despite his major influencing reputation he was assessed bit by bit and was penalized considerably for his flaws on the appropriate scores!
Breeders wanting to breed horses to make the big time only have one choice but to breed for the whole package, if they want to succeed under the modern points system...
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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 6:22:31 PM
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"And of course clipping is done partially to accentuate an Arab's features... stating the obvious just a little...!
You breed pedigree dogs and you clip them inline with the breed fashion, say Poodles for example... any difference....?" Amy Southworth
Well actually we have had three standard poodles, and the only reason we have/had them clipped (professionally) was because their coat just keeps growing and it's impractical, and hot in the summer, but they've always had a 'lamb' clip - no pom poms etc.
We have clipped our horses to stop them overheating when hunting/competing, but not to enhance their looks. Perhaps if I was heavily into showing I would have a completely different attitude. I don't think clipping is cruel, but as I look through the pages of my copy of Arabain Magazine I personally find the photos of heavily made up horses and foals with clipped bits somewhat unattractive, it reminds me of those dreadful junior beauty queen competitions. As I say it's my personal opinion and no doubt why I do endurance rather than showing. Each to their own
Edited for missed words |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 08 Apr 2012 6:31:47 PM |
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paul_exe
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2022 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 6:43:45 PM
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I love this thread when it comes up year after year.
There are definately those "For Clipping the head", and those "Who cannot find a logical reason for it, except to follow the trend".
I am of the later.
I believe it started with the bigger studs in the USA, and because they can do, so will we. Rather like the shaved mane.
I like to look from outside the showring at a lovely arab. I no longer have pure breds of my own, and even from a distance I can spot a good head, whether clipped or not.
Each to their own, but not my cup of tea.
Paul |
     
Get over yourself: You breathe, you fart, what makes you different?
Gloriously Sunny Devon |
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Red Rum
Gold Member
England
508 Posts |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 6:47:03 PM
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Kimzi's 2 year old standing unfazed to be clipped for the first time isn't exceptional! It's very much the norm in my experience with any well handled, trusting horse. I didn't clip my youngster until he was 5 years old and he was completely unfazed. As was my 6 year old, my friend's 14 year old plus another friend's 19 year old PBA whom I clipped for the first time in his life last winter All were only clipped out of necessity due to workload...certainly not vanity
The only horse I have had trouble clipping is my ex show arab incidentally! |
    
Borders, Scotland |
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Genetics
DOUG.
