[freedom32]

I always braid Pollys, but it would probably look better if I didn't!
She has a terrible forelock, just a little fuzzball, that fine cottony hair, and she's not very good while having it done.

[Xiphias]

Originally Posted by ThisIsMe

In Europe I dont think they plait stallions forelocks, as its a way to tell its a stallion.

Smudge has a hogged mane, so no plaiting for me He annoyed me enough and rubbed it until there was about 1 inch of plaitable hair on his neck. So braiding the forelock in my case would look slightly ridculious.

I had a show hunter /event gelding, who did not like to have his mane pulled, so I also shaved it off, he had a nice crest, and looked fine...but I still braided his forlock, lol, and tail where it was proper to....I got some funny looks, but the judges did not mind, I still got my share of the ribbons! Cathy

[irishchick]

i dont plait the forlock as i find it can annoy some horses...i think if the forelock is pulled and tidy it doesnt look sloppy at all...altho in saying that i dont always plait if the mane is tidy enough loose

[SJgirl]

I have a friend who shows in breed Connemara classes but also does dressage. She can't plait because she isn't aloud to touch the mane ie trim, thin or pull it, so it is very long and thick. Far to long and thick to plait but he still does lovely dressage lol
Abbeys forelock is getting to the stage where I think I'm gonna have to plait it so she can just see through it! ! She doesn't like her forelock trimmed or plaited very much, but then I only plait her a hand full of times a year! The joys of show jumping and eventing! But her mane is always plaiting length short and her tail shaved/pulled...
I have an Appy who I did Novice/elementary dressage on and being an Appy they are common for no mane, tail or forelock, but we would plait a fake forelock onto it to give it extra hair lol!

[Heavenly Jumper]

I think if people just don't want to plait then (unless it is a breed no no) they should just roach the mane and be done with it...

[MyBelgianAzzy]

I don't think my trainer would have let me load my horse onto the trailer if I wasn't COMPLETELY braided. This isn't meant to offend anyone, but I am paying hard earned money to be in my classes, and I'm going to do everything in my power to have my horse and myself giving our best impressions from the start.

P.S. SJ- I couldn't braid my Connemara's fluffy and abundant forelock- but the professional braider could! I did everything else so it didn't cost me a fortune, though.

That made me think. I also think it's ok not to braid at smaller shows (C or B) if you are a terrible braider and can't afford a professional. I would rather see a neatley pulled mane then a choppy braid job.

[willeys bonanza]

Willeys mane is too long to plait so i do a french braid, i think its called but i but a band around the forelock and tuck it under the browband. I have seen a dressage horse doing Grand Prix with its mane braided but her forelock left out. The people commentating it said that its a Stallion style to leave it out. i thought it looked ok. But i guess if you are doing grand prix you get to pick the style. I dont like it when the horses mane is not braided at all though

[Cheeky Monkey]

I always braid the forelock, even though I am horrible at it and it doesnt looking like plaiting, just a bobbled braid, but still...I think it looks like barf when the forelock is flapping around. The horse doesnt look finished.

[Cavalier]

I always braid the forelock...looks so much tidier and classier.

Astro LOVES loves LOVES having his forelock brushed and played with so as long as I have Andy to hold him to make sure he doesn't suddenly lift his head up, he's really good to do...just stand there and goes to sleep.

The only time he is docile

Rio is a gem to do anything with, so of course, he is quick and easy to do his forelock.

I just think it polishes the picture off nicely...the icing on the cake so to speak

[SuZQuzie]

I remember for pony finals, the jumpers weren't supposed to have their forlocks or tails braided, but their manes were.