Who started the "mane must be on the right" trend?

[RxCate]

At least I think it was the right...

I've been riding since I was 3 and showing on the Maryland A circuit for years and have never really paid attention which side my horses' mane fell on. As long as it was pulled neatly and braided nice and clean, and I was turned out appropriately, that's about all I was worried about .

Recently, I was showing at a local schooling show to get ready for this upcoming season and numerous people were coming by as I was tacking up, commenting that "this is an english show, your horses' mane should be on the right"

Now seriously, is the judge really going to penalize someone for which side the mane is on? I thought the purpose was to judge on way of going, quietness, etc not which side a bunch of hair lays.

I just wanted to tell everyone who approached me at that show to get a grip and just ride to their best ability and not worry over such petty things.

I understand horse people have always been a little off our rockers, but gimme a break.

[make x it x so]

I'm pretty sure it had to do with knights and their equipment not getting tangled in the mane. Same reason we get on and lead on the left side.

At a schooling show, neat and braided is usually enough, but I think at any rated show, it should be on the right side.

[Linda]

It's just become the custom.

As I understand it years ago, with the western horses, stallions had their manes on the left and geldings/mares on the right. Then when you rode up to another horse out on the ranch, you could pick out the stallions and give them some room.

That is at least a useful reason for which side of the neck the mane lies - unlike ours where it has just become customary for the mane to lie on the right.

[JenEM]

I was always taught it had to do with cavalry use. Swords were worn on the left, so you mounted from the left side, since you couldn't swing a sword over ;) Swords would also then be drawn on the left side, and you didn't want a horse's mane there to get tangled with it. Bight of the reins should fall on the right side for the same reason--no getting caught up in the sword as it's being drawn.

[appychik]

I was always taught it had to do with cavalry use. Swords were worn on the left, so you mounted from the left side, since you couldn't swing a sword over ;) Swords would also then be drawn on the left side, and you didn't want a horse's mane there to get tangled with it. Bight of the reins should fall on the right side for the same reason--no getting caught up in the sword as it's being drawn.

Which makes sense... but why penalize someone if their horse's mane naturally lies to the left? Both of my boys have manes on the left. Both are Appaloosas (or part, in Gringo's case). Never was penalized at any of the rated dressage shows we did, but in the DQ world, things like that don't matter as much ;).

Anyways, I've always wondered why manes had to be on the right. I understand the principles from back in the day, but we're in the 21st Century (I think) right now, so why can't some things change? Everything else seems to be changing with the times. And, I don't think you can breed for right manes versus left manes :winkgrin:.

[veebug22]

Not all breeds and disciplines do it on the right. I find it odd also that someone would have approached you at a schooling show about which side your horse's mane should be on, but I strongly feel that part of the equestrian sport is a respect for tradition. If you're showing at the A level, part of that is knowing appropriate turnout and attire rules. So while I would never say anything to anyone about their horse's mane -- none of my business -- I would look twice if someone at an A show had their mane on the wrong side. It's not really the impression you want to create. While a judge wouldn't penalize you, they probably would wonder why you hadn't taken the time to learn about traditional turnout for the level and arena you were showing in, or if you knew them, why you hadn't taken the time to train your horse's mane over. I always think a person/horse's turnout says a lot about the thoroughness of all aspects of their program. You don't want a judge thinking this and keenly searching for other areas to fault. Even at a schooling show, I always make sure my horse's mane is trained to the correct side and flat (actually, I have certain standards before I'll even take a horse off the property). I think it shows respect for the event, judges, and other competitors. And, every time you're in public, you're saying something about yourself and the thoroughness of your program and background. People remember those impressions. But if everything was flat and on the same side at a schooling show, I wouldn't be too worried that one time.

[IsolaBella09]

I was always taught it had to do with cavalry use. Swords were worn on the left, so you mounted from the left side, since you couldn't swing a sword over ;) Swords would also then be drawn on the left side, and you didn't want a horse's mane there to get tangled with it. Bight of the reins should fall on the right side for the same reason--no getting caught up in the sword as it's being drawn.

Yep. Tradition. :yes:

Having a mane on the right or left won't make or break your horse. Don't know about the hunters, but I wouldn't think so. One of my good friend's horses has his mane on the left, pulled, and he looks nice and tidy, and he does well at shows.

Asked a friend what she thought: "You'll look like an ididot. And you'll look like you have no idea whats going on." :winkgrin::lol:

[billiebob]

My trainer (who's British) says "only the queen's horses have their manes on the left."

I don't know if it's actually true or not :):):)

[cloudyandcallie]

Which makes sense... but why penalize someone if their horse's mane naturally lies to the left? Both of my boys have manes on the left. Both are Appaloosas (or part, in Gringo's case). Never was penalized at any of the rated dressage shows we did, but in the DQ world, things like that don't matter as much ;).

Anyways, I've always wondered why manes had to be on the right. I understand the principles from back in the day, but we're in the 21st Century (I think) right now, so why can't some things change? Everything else seems to be changing with the times. And, I don't think you can breed for right manes versus left manes :winkgrin:.

eeek:eek: change those manes right now, young lady! I was always told it was because of mounting from the left, that "the white man's" horses had manes in the right, and the Indians, left??? (all the old cowboy movies had Indians mounting from the right, I think.) But it seems correct from the point of view of swords, as hunters carried their guns on the right, so dogs are trained, still in obedience school, to heel on the left. (Don't flame me lefties, we are in the minority there so I shoot right handed, write left handed. )
All mine came with right side manes. And any attempts of any sections up near the poll to "go left" have been met with braiding and correction.:lol:

[Lost In Space]

I have to ask how you didn't notice that manes are (or should be) on the right. You say that you have been showing on the Maryland A circuit for years and never noticed to which side the mane fell. If I may ask, what divisions do you show in? If it's jumpers I could, possibly, understand this, but hunters, I can't even imagine you not knowing!

[vxf111]

Blame knights. And right handedness.

How DARE they influence the hunter ring! That's the province of princesses!

[starkissed]

its annoying and dumb, thats what I know! haha. My mare's mane lays perfectly on the left side. My mom is always trying to glue it over to the right, but then it just kind of sticks up and looks horrible. I would rather have it all on one side...which is what I do now. I suppose if I braided it for a show I would put it over to the right, but all other times, left it is!

[lonewolf]

I think it's a really silly tradition to uphold, frankly. There is nothing more annoying than getting a horse with a mane that lies smoothly on the left side, and having to mess it up in a futile attempt to train it over. Usually the horse goes from having a nice mane to one that sticks up or keeps flipping back over. I don't mind doing it for hunters who will be braided, but my last trainer made us try to train the jumper manes as well.

Grrrrr

[vxf111]

It's not a pointless tradition.

The whole idea of training it to the RIGHT is because we get on from the LEFT. If you have to ground mount and grab a chunk of mane to help yourself get up, you want the mane to naturally pull AWAY from the direction you'll pull as you mount. That way it gives you a bit more "handle" and doesn't slide through your fingers as much.

How much do I ground mount? Never if I can help it ;) but that doesn't mean you/I might not sometime find ourself in a position where we need to and that's why the mane trains to the right. It's tradition but it also serves a function (limited if you use a mounting block, but who knows when you might be hacking out and find it comes in handy).

If you have a natural left-lying mane, you need to regularly pull/train it to the right. Not just right before a show, but on an ongoing basis. It's much harder to fight the way the hair lies if you just do it here and there-- if you pull properly and band over consistently, you can get even a thick pony mane to go right in MOST cases.

[vxf111]

P.S.- I do agree it's petty to approach someone at a show over this. How silly. You must have ridden well and they just felt like they needed a reason to criticize.

That being said, it's not an arbitrary "rule" but stems from traditional and has a functional basis.

The judge would probably never penalize for this unless you and another round were EXACTLY equal and that was a tiebreaker-- but that is so unlikely to happen, it's not worth thinking about. It DOES make you look out of place though.

[Thomas_1]

Nothing to do with custom.

About 60 to 70% of horses manes naturally fall to the right.

I'll never forget the day I came home and discovered my daughter who was 13 at the time had given my anglo arab a perm to try to get his mane to lie over to the right. It was sticking upright and curly!

[Burbank]

I always heard mane on the right for hunters, due to the tradition of the swords...mane on the left for western due to most ropers being right handed and trying to avoid the rope getting tangled in the mane.

[superpony123]

left for western
right for hunters

my pony's mane falls to the left but it can be easily braided on the right side without any issues or extra work. whenever i dont braid--which is prettymuch anytime i'm not at an A show or any kind of special show--no one has ever commented on my pony's mane, and it's never hurt us in the ribbons either.

[appychik]

eeek:eek: change those manes right now, young lady!

:lol: Funny thing is, I let Gus's roached mane grow out over the winter.... I know :eek: :eek: about the roached mane, but it works for him. Anyways, as it was growing back in, it folded to the right :D. Now, it looks better to the right then when I attempt to comb over to the left (where it naturally lies). Should be interesting when Gus gets his first bath of the season... that'll be the true test!

[Serah]

I don't understand why people constantly want to fight hunter tradition. The mane goes on the right. If you're showing in the hunters, take the time to groom your horses and train their mane over. Its NOT THAT HARD! Its tradition, who cares where it came from... the hunters are meant to be conservative and traditional and it looks nice when all the horses have their manes neatly braided on the one side...

To those of you who want to change the tradition... whats next??? No hunt coats? No tall boots?

I can see the next thread "Will a judge really penalize me because my horse is doing the add, and simple lead changes, and i have a jacket thats too bit and rubber boots and no braids and my mane on the left, and a black dressage bridle??"

Its like showing up to a soccer game in a football uniform... If you want to play hunters, PLAY HUNTERS.




sigh... sorry for sounding harsh... i guess thats my rant of the month.

[Waterlyn]

Its like showing up to a soccer game in a football uniform... If you want to play hunters, PLAY HUNTERS.





AMEN!!!!!!

[Kementari]

OK, I'm not a hunter, so here's the view from the outside... :lol:

Who, exactly, gets to decide which of these sacred traditions are, well, sacred? Just a few years ago, the idea of someone wearing a skunk stripe helmet in the hunter ring would have elicited the same, "You'll look like you don't know what you are doing" responses. And the first people who wore field boots to a show must have looked like real idiots, you know?

Inconsistency just bugs me - and there's nothing more inconsistent than people claiming that hunters are sooooo traditional...while wearing a GPA, field boots, a purple shirt with a monogrammed collar, and riding in a saddle with knee rolls...

But, heck, I'm an eventer: what do I know? :winkgrin:

[LLDM]

I don't understand why people constantly want to fight hunter tradition. The mane goes on the right. If you're showing in the hunters, take the time to groom your horses and train their mane over. Its NOT THAT HARD! Its tradition, who cares where it came from... the hunters are meant to be conservative and traditional and it looks nice when all the horses have their manes neatly braided on the one side...

To those of you who want to change the tradition... whats next??? No hunt coats? No tall boots?

I can see the next thread "Will a judge really penalize me because my horse is doing the add, and simple lead changes, and i have a jacket thats too bit and rubber boots and no braids and my mane on the left, and a black dressage bridle??"

Its like showing up to a soccer game in a football uniform... If you want to play hunters, PLAY HUNTERS.




sigh... sorry for sounding harsh... i guess thats my rant of the month.

Oh Please. You're kidding, right? Either that or you are like 12. Go look at some pictures of your precious "perfectly traditional" hunters of 30 years ago and tell me how much everything has stayed the same. :uhoh:

And guess what? Go thirty years more and you'll find a whole 'nother bunch of perfectly preserved conservative turn-outs.

Hey, if you are really brave I'll loan you my 30 year old hunter show clothes and you can see what kind of reception you'll get at today's shows! :lol: Or try the 60 year old outfits! :winkgrin:

The *real* reason it *sucks* is that some horses are truly uncomfortable with their manes on the "wrong" side. Do some of you guys really judge people's horse-keeping skills by whether or not their horses manes lie flat on the proper side for hunter shows? Seriously, that's the best criteria you can come up with?

And *that's*my*rant*!!! :)

SCFarm

[Dazednconfused]

left for western
right for hunters

my pony's mane falls to the left but it can be easily braided on the right side without any issues or extra work. whenever i dont braid--which is prettymuch anytime i'm not at an A show or any kind of special show--no one has ever commented on my pony's mane, and it's never hurt us in the ribbons either.

No, not left for western....not sure where you got that...the preference is for the mane to be on the right, even there.

[ShadowLove]

I'm sorry........... I needed a laugh for the evening befor ebed, and well, I got it from this post. The opinions are great, but no need to get all in a huff about the subject ladies (and gents).
My horses mane just lies........ that's it, it just lies.
Now, I do have to admit, I am surprised you were showing in an A rated show, and I assume you have or have had a trainer, that they never said anything to you. Not that it matters to me either way quite frankly...... I'm the one riding with the skull and crossbones saddle pad and matching black wraps, so my opinion doesn't count. :eek:
Good night....... thanks for a giggle. :D

[Serah]

Oh Please. You're kidding, right? Either that or you are like 12.

Thanks but I am not "like 12" I'm 26.



The *real* reason it *sucks* is that some horses are truly uncomfortable with their manes on the "wrong" side. Do some of you guys really judge people's horse-keeping skills by whether or not their horses manes lie flat on the proper side for hunter shows? Seriously, that's the best criteria you can come up with?

And *that's*my*rant*!!! :)

SCFarm


PLEASE educate me on what kind of condition would cause a horse to be uncomfortable with its mane on the right side.


So things have changed... some for the better and some for the worse, but usually there is a reason behind these changes...such as safety (RE: GPA Helmets) I understand that things are going to change but when someone wants the entire population to change just because they can't take the time to train their horses mane over... COME ON!!

I may not be judging their horse keeping skills persay, but I would judge their knowledge of the hunter world. For example, I'm not going to think someone takes poor care of their horse because their mane is on the wrong side, but I would wonder if they had ever been to a hunter show.

[poltroon]

If I show up to braid your horse, and the mane is lying on the left, I will comb and wet it over and braid it on the right, and after the braids come out, the mane will want to lay on the right anyway. ;)

I don't think a judge will count off for it... but it certainly says, "You ain't from these parts" and it will be obvious, especially in a flat class. It's just not that big a deal to braid on the right side.

[tikidoc]

OK, I'm not a hunter, so here's the view from the outside... :lol:

Who, exactly, gets to decide which of these sacred traditions are, well, sacred? Just a few years ago, the idea of someone wearing a skunk stripe helmet in the hunter ring would have elicited the same, "You'll look like you don't know what you are doing" responses. And the first people who wore field boots to a show must have looked like real idiots, you know?

Inconsistency just bugs me - and there's nothing more inconsistent than people claiming that hunters are sooooo traditional...while wearing a GPA, field boots, a purple shirt with a monogrammed collar, and riding in a saddle with knee rolls...

But, heck, I'm an eventer: what do I know? :winkgrin:

Heh heh, well said. I too have gone to the dark side (eventing). It is so much more relaxed! I was one of those "idiots" showing in field boots 20 years ago - I have screwed up ankles and dress boots were excruciating to wear unless they were too big.

[LLDM]

PLEASE educate me on what kind of condition would cause a horse to be uncomfortable with its mane on the right side.

I have bred and raised many horses in my life. From the beginning, I always wanted (and tried to train) their manes to fall on the left, with varying results. When you try from birth to "train them to the left and they just. don't. go. you start asking yourself why you bother. Braid a youngster on the "wrong side" (for them) and they will make it clear (by rubbing, acting antsy, etc.) that it sucks. Then try showing it in hand or under saddle for the first time. What you get is a distracted, uncomfortable young horse.

I can't tell you how relieved I was when I started showing DSHB and someone told me it was just fine to braid on the right! It was uncomfortable for *me* to braid that way, but the youngsters were so much happier. And so, it turned out, were some of my older horses who spent much less time trying to rub out their braids by any means possible.

In my world good horsemanship is about making one's horses happier, healthier and more comfortable while doing the jobs assigned them.

Braiding has changed too over the years. The somewhat larger sewn in button type braids used to be the norm years ago. I was required to learn them even after they went out of style in the hunter ring because the were "traditional" for the Hunt. But they are currently "unacceptable" in rated shows. So much for tradition. Where I see them now is on European Jumpers.

So things have changed... some for the better and some for the worse, but usually there is a reason behind these changes...such as safety (RE: GPA Helmets) I understand that things are going to change but when someone wants the entire population to change just because they can't take the time to train their horses mane over... COME ON!!

I may not be judging their horse keeping skills persay, but I would judge their knowledge of the hunter world. For example, I'm not going to think someone takes poor care of their horse because their mane is on the wrong side, but I would wonder if they had ever been to a hunter show.PSA: GPAs are ugly. There are plenty of ATSM approved, traditionally styled velvet helmets. They have been around for over 30 years. And monogrammed collar are stupid. Tradition was a stock tie and a stock pin - which was a stylish way to have tourniquets and bandage pins available at all times. No need to rip one's bodice to save the handsome huntsman!

No one asked for the entire hunter world population to <gasp> *change*. They wanted to know what the big deal was. Seriously, some of the trends and fashions in the hunter world now look awful and ridiculous. Heck so did some of the trends back in my junior days. Wanna see the kelly green hunt coat with the *black velvet collar* in the back of my closet? Yeah, :lol:didn't think so!

Look, no one is saying the braiding on the left will win you any friends or points in hunter world these days. But to defend it as some sacred tradition is a bit of a non sequiter.

I will submit to you that maybe braiding was introduced to *solve* the problem of which side the mane fell on. Really, once braided it doesn't catch anything - even me when I need a handful of mane.

Come to think of it, maybe GM made it up as a way to keep those EQ kids from hiding their horrid crest releases!

SCFarm

[vxf111]

LLDM, hunters braid on the RIGHT, not left. I couldn't tell if that was just a brain freeze moment or if you were actually misled somewhere along the line. The mane goes over the RIGHT and it is the only thing that does. Everything else is from the left... mount from the left, buckles on the left etc.

I have never seen a horse be more/less uncomfortable with the mane braided on EITHER side... providing someone took the time to train the mane to that side and not just the night before the show... but rather pulled and trainer periodically so the mane actually laid on that side.

[Mel0309]

It's just become the custom.

As I understand it years ago, with the western horses, stallions had their manes on the left and geldings/mares on the right. Then when you rode up to another horse out on the ranch, you could pick out the stallions and give them some room.

That is at least a useful reason for which side of the neck the mane lies - unlike ours where it has just become customary for the mane to lie on the right.

No, not left for western....not sure where you got that...the preference is for the mane to be on the right, even there.

Actually both of you are wrong. Western horses manes go to the left because "real cowboys" carry their ropes on the right. You don't want your rope to get tangled in the mane.

Now at AQHA shows you see manes on either side in any division. They just don't really care that much about it as long as the whole mane is on one side or the other.

[Vitriolic]

As a breeder of racehorses, as each foal is being born, I try to get their mane going to the right so they don't spend their careers having someone cursing under their breath while braiding their manes down to go to the races where it will be either back on the left, straight up or on both sides before they make it to the gate. The truth is, it seems to go where it is does because of cowlicks on their crest. I have tried to fight nature for decades. It doesn't work. Fortunately a thinly pulled mane can be braided to the right, if it has been pulled to the right in my experience.

[bort84]

Hmm, I've definitely had horses that were irritated with the whole mane training thing - though it's really not a big deal on most. If you happen upon one of these types, they may try to bald themselves to keep their mane out of braids and on whichever side they please, haha. So if braids don't work, I've seen some try the sleazy/mane tamer route... bleh, but sometimes necessary. Also, if you have a horse mostly on turnout, it can get pretty challenging to keep braids in/mane tamers on.

That being said, I'd certainly be braiding to the right in the hunter ring, annoying as it sometimes may be - it's just the way it's done. No worries about that in dressage, which is great, especially considering the variety of breeds you get in the dressage ring that have crazy manes.

[SmartAlex]

I know this is in the Hunter/Jumper forum, but in a driving pair, would the near side horse have it's mane on the left, and the off side horse have the mane on the right?

I seldom have had a horse with it's mane naturally on the left, but it does appear to be hereditary.

[purplnurpl]

of course genetics has nothing to do with it.

Kind of like right and left handed people?
More horses pop out with manes on the right side.

In fact I have a whacked up brain and often I'll dismiss a horse with a split mane or a mane on the 'wrong' side. Trouble makers. ; )

The fact that my straight A student gelding came with a perfectly flat right sided 'george mcfly' mane didn't help my theory.
But then I later found out it was more like the, 'dumb and dumber bowl cut'. Brrahahahhaa
j/k.

[monstrpony]

I don't understand why people constantly want to fight hunter tradition. The mane goes on the right. If you're showing in the hunters, take the time to groom your horses and train their mane over. Its NOT THAT HARD! Its tradition, who cares where it came from... the hunters are meant to be conservative and traditional and it looks nice when all the horses have their manes neatly braided on the one side...

To those of you who want to change the tradition... whats next??? No hunt coats? No tall boots?

I can see the next thread "Will a judge really penalize me because my horse is doing the add, and simple lead changes, and i have a jacket thats too bit and rubber boots and no braids and my mane on the left, and a black dressage bridle??"

Its like showing up to a soccer game in a football uniform... If you want to play hunters, PLAY HUNTERS.

sigh... sorry for sounding harsh... i guess thats my rant of the month.

Umm, right. And I bet you wear field boots in the show ring ...

[bascher]

I've been doing the hunters ever since I started riding, and while ideally I would like my horse's mane to be on the right, his insists on growing to the left. Braid it, plait, do what you will, as soon as you take it out, back over to the left it goes. This thing just can't be trained..but at least it lies flat to the left and doesn't stick up crazily :) So needless to say, I am not someone who was too lazy to train their horse's mane over. Quite simply, I've tried many times and within a day, it's back to the left. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful as I would like it to lie to the right, but at most of our upcoming shows he will be braided, so it won't be an issue anyway! And just let me clarify, my horse is always braided to the right for horse shows in case anyone thinks his mane can't actually be braided right for shows..it just doesn't stay right afterwards!

[bascher]

double post

[bascher]

wow my computer hates me..triple post

[bascher]

I may not be judging their horse keeping skills persay, but I would judge their knowledge of the hunter world. For example, I'm not going to think someone takes poor care of their horse because their mane is on the wrong side, but I would wonder if they had ever been to a hunter show.

I've been showing in the hunters since I began riding, been to Devon, Harrisburg, etc and unfortunately my new horse's mane just lies left. Doesn't mean I haven't been to a hunter show before, it just means that that is how his mane lies. Obviously when he gets braided its braided to the right, and we used to train his mane over before every horse show that didn't require braiding. Ultimately, the "training" didn't work for more than about an hour no matter what we did. If you can give me an idea that will work, I'd be more than happy to hear it because I would LIKE it to lie right. However his mane doesn't really care what I want. I don't mean to sound rude, but I just wanted to let you know that your generalization certainly is not true for everyone. Again, any hints besides braiding and plaiting (which I've tried) would be appreciated.

[Fairview Horse Center]

The best reason to pull and braid on the right is because that is how ALL of the PRO braiders are going to do it. My horses' manes are all over the place, but they have always been pulled and braided to the right, and none care - not even the foals.

We mount from the left, and I don't hear anyone upset and trying to change that tradition. If you ride dressage in a close contact saddle, they will know you don't belong, and look with more critical eyes. The same with riding huntrs in an all purpose saddle, or braiding on the left. Why give any judge a reason to look harder at you to find a reason to not use you. Labeling yourself as not Hunter "educated" will rub off on the judge's perception of the rest of your riding.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Although there really is no need to train the mane over to the right, if you want to, it can be done. You have to do it when it is long. Training braids need to be left in long enough for the roots to change direction (a few months). Depending on your ability to braid, you also may need to add small fishing weights to the braid to keep it pulled down until the roots change direction. After the roots are changed, then you can pull it short & thin. It is a good winter project. You usually just rebraid each week. If you can't braid well enough to be tight and pulled down, then training braids won't work.

[Serah]

I've been showing in the hunters for over 12 years, been to Devon, Harrisburg, etc and unfortunately my new horse's mane just lies left. Doesn't mean I haven't been to a hunter show before, it just means that that is how his mane lies. Obviously when he gets braided its braided to the right, and we used to train his mane over before every horse show that didn't require braiding. Ultimately, the "training" didn't work for more than about an hour no matter what we did. If you can give me an idea that will work, I'd be more than happy to hear it because I would LIKE it to lie right. However his mane doesn't really care what I want. I don't mean to sound rude, but I just wanted to let you know that your generalization certainly is not true for everyone. Again, any hints besides braiding and plaiting (which I've tried) would be appreciated.

Yes but as you stated when you braid it, its braided over on the right... I don't care what side of the mane anyone's horses mane is on until its braided and they are in the ring... then it should be on the right. If we are talking about schooling and at home, i'm sorry, i misunderstood, but in the ring the man should be braided on the right. If the show doesn't call for braiding the mane should be tidy and well-groomed.

[bascher]

Although there really is no need to train the mane over to the right, if you want to, it can be done. You have to do it when it is long. Training braids need to be left in long enough for the roots to change direction (a few months). Depending on your ability to braid, you also may need to add small fishing weights to the braid to keep it pulled down until the roots change direction. After the roots are changed, then you can pull it short & thin. It is a good winter project. You usually just rebraid each week. If you can't braid well enough to be tight and pulled down, then training braids won't work.

Thanks :) To answer your question from above, yes it is pulled and braided to the right. I just have a quick question..with the fishing weights, will they stay in pretty well or will they tend to fall out easily while riding or if the horse is outside or rolls or anything like that?

[bascher]

Yes but as you stated when you braid it, its braided over on the right... I don't care what side of the mane anyone's horses mane is on until its braided and they are in the ring... then it should be on the right. If we are talking about schooling and at home, i'm sorry, i misunderstood, but in the ring the man should be braided on the right. If the show doesn't call for braiding the mane should be tidy and well-groomed.

I guess I misunderstood what you were saying as well :) Yes my horse is always braided to the right and it is always pulled to the right as well, it just doesn't stay that way when we are at home. Serah and Fairview Horse Center - sorry for the misunderstanding and thanks for the suggestions.

[Fairview Horse Center]

The fish weights are pretty tiny, but they do stay in well. It just adds that tiny bit of weight to help them stay down. Longer manes usually don't need the weighs. I like to put them in half way down, not at the bottom.

[bascher]

The fish weights are pretty tiny, but they do stay in well. It just adds that tiny bit of weight to help them stay down. Longer manes usually don't need the weighs. I like to put them in half way down, not at the bottom.

Thank you very much for the suggestion!

[Serah]

When I train my horses manes over, I make the braids small but not tight. It's the tightness that aggravates them and makes them rub the braids.


I guess I braid them tightly but not at the roots, if that makes any sense... difficult to explain. It doesn't last forever either, but i usually will do it before a show on my jumpers or if we aren't braiding any hunters.

[RxCate]

Hokay.. Sorry I'm so late to replying.. I'm actually on vacation in san diego..

So. The reason why I never knew before, even though I was showing A, was that I just happened to have my last few horses manes be on the right-hand side so I never needed to be told, I already had it. This gelding is one I'm trying to sell and his lays to the left.

And yes, I did show in the jumpers towards the end there. I no longer show A's unless it's on one of the horses I'm training to sell nowadays.

The people at this show/barn are kind of uppity and self-important so I expected to hear something out of them on the nit-picky side, but that had been the first I'd heard of which side a mane was supposed to go on.

And I'm sorry, but if the mane thing is going to only come into play if it's down to the wire with the judge, then I'm going to let them continue to lay on their natural side.

I was just curious if anyone knew where and why it started and if it really was a huge deal.

Thank you for your imput!! Learn something new everyday :) Especially in the horse world.

[snaffle635]

I thought it stemmed from the same reason we lead our horses on the left. If you are walking on the left side of the horse, you want their mane on the right side so it doesn't get in your way.

And after reading some of these other posts, I've learned we walk on the horse's left so our swords don't get in the way. :-)

[XenophonKnows]

Me thinkest...... Gulliver........... in his travels........... encountered some folks a'warrin' over the very delicate subject of eating eggs.... (tradition is important in these things, ya know.)

Me thinks anyone seriously concerned by the proper lie of the da'hosses mane ought to hook up with their friends the The Lilliputians OR the adversaries there of, the peoples of Blefuscu. I think you will find many friends there who are similarly concerned over doctrinal differences concerning the proper way to crack eggs.

So says I, a Yahoo, on this matter of the Houyhnhnms...

[goeslikestink]

hot tips from badmington horse stables on how to pull a mane listen and she will give tips on how to train your horses mane to lay to the right
http://www.horsehero.com/1295/stable-management/1719

[badawg]

Funny, all my horse's manes have always wanted to lay to the left. Lucky me...