[Kayty]

I have just taken on a 3 year old percheron x tb mare from a friend of mine. She has done not much since the breakers, and the girl doesn't have the time to ride her, so I am taking her to educate and posisbly compete. Not the most conventional dressage horse I know, but hey, she's not bad!!
My question is, how on earth do you plait a perchy's mane??? She has a very long, very thick mane, and that being a characteristic of the breed, I will not be pulling it.

So how would you plait it for competition? I only know the standard bobble/rosettes as I've never had a horse with such a difficult mane!

Also, what would you do with the forelock? It is down to her nostrils almost, and quite thick, so again, no chance of a standard rosette!

 

[smrobs]

I don't know if a running braid down her neck would be acceptable or not. Sorry I'm no help, but I don't generally do anything with my manes.

 

[xAddictionx]

^Yeah that's what I would do..
like this;
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3898505549_fda20b749e_b.jpg

 

[Kayty]

Hmmm yeah that might be the way to go. I can't leave it 'au natural' for official dressage, it is just too boofy! Now to work out how to do a running braid like that... god I can't even braid my own hair... this horse had better stay still for me!

 

[ShebaGurl]

Here's are good link I found that towards the bottom has things you can do with long manes. I love the diamond braiding (banding) because you don't really have to braid lol but it still might take just as long:lol:

Mane Care and Show Preparation

 

[ShebaGurl]

Another thing to check though is I know a running braid is quite acceptable at a rated dressage show but the diamond pattern I'm not so sure, it could just be certain breeds. My friend did the diamond braiding on her TB but it was at a schooling show.