[**BabyGurl**]

I was reading an interesting article yesterday about how horses communicate on a whole other level by grooming each other on a one to one basis. There was a section i was reading about how important the whiskers on a horses nose are to how they communicate via touch, They can pick up even the most minute muscle spazms, Skin conditions and mood of the other horse etc.

Their oppinion (one in the magazine, I wont state which one but feel free to PM me and i will be happy to tell you, it was a brilliant article!) on this was that by trimming the whiskers we are inadvertantly messing with the horses natural ability to relate to other horses in a subtle way meaning the only way they can express how they are feeling is by making over exaggerated movements e.g when they are aggitated (sp?) or scared and even happiness or being content may make them seem boystrous.

When horses groom each other in a firm, almost harsh way (to us) this is actually a perposeful choice by the grooming horse! The same as when they are gently touching each other, Which undoubtedly is more difficult when the most responsive nerve endings and receptors have been taken away. This led me to the question are we therefore making horses unknowingly suffer when we prepare them for shows or just for our own preference when we trim these hairs away...?

The whole article was brilliant so i just thought id see what other people thought of this! Communication between animals is so fascinating i thought id share it with you all!

Let me know what you think!!!

[Trace]

I would never trim whiskers - they are there for a reason.

[minihorses4ever]

I don't ever trim a horse's whiskers who isn't shown or isn't being shown soon. Though, when it is time to clip them for a show, I would never leave their whiskers. It looks very untidy (though I think they are kinda cute).

[JKetsche]

I only clip for big shows, not anything local or lower level.

[_Rocket_Cutting]

I'm like most of these others. I don't clip unless it's for a show. Otherwise, I agree that they are a huge communication factor and wouldn't clip them otherwise.

[faroutfax]

I don't clip them. I've also heard that horses use them to feel around when it is dark outside. To find the edge of the water bucket or the stall, just like cats (or I was told cats did the same...lol. )

[MysMel3]

When I showed, I would trim them til they were almost an inch long. If it was a really big show, I would trim them all the way down. When I wasn't showing they could get as long as they wanted. When I was younger, I was always told that's how a horse "feels" at night. Idk if there's any truth to that or anything, but I never shaved them completely off unless it was a big show.

[MaximumForce]

Interesting thread, as I have been wondering lately whether or not to trim our baby's whiskers. I was leaning towards NOT trimming, and now I know that we will leave them alone. Thank you for posting this topic.

[imacowgirl2]

I trim...BUT I leave a couple inches, so he still has whiskers, just not the uncontrollable mess his are naturally. My guys whiskers are so out of control that they will literally ice into a snowball in winter if I don't keep them manageable.

[Vix]

Originally Posted by faroutfax

I don't clip them. I've also heard that horses use them to feel around when it is dark outside. To find the edge of the water bucket or the stall, just like cats (or I was told cats did the same...lol. )

That is the exact reason I've never clipped my guys, but then again I don't show anymore so there's really no reason for me to clip in general. The whiskers around their eyes as well I think are very important to leave as well, definately like a cat and feeling their way around at least I think. We can't really be sure what they're for, the same with any other furry areas like the fetlocks so I've always just left them, obviously they're there for a reason.