Horses mane

[KevMc]

Why are most jumps horses manes plaited but flat horses are not?

I’ve wondered this for years.

[greenasgrass]

Traditionally horses were plaited to look smart for hunting I suppose.

[Drone]

If conditions warranted it Jenny Pitman, amongst others, often sent her charges out with their tails plaited in order to prevent them being caked with mud. The same thinking could perhaps also be applied to manes

Plaited manes are attractive but plaited tails rather ugly so I guess the former is largely a cosmetic enhancement that displays the stable staffs’ grooming skills

[obiwankenobi]

A lot of trainers don’t plait their horses because the horses become wise to to the fact they are off to the races and start to get anxious and nervous. The mane is also something to hang onto – many of the jump jockeys pull the last four plaits out by the withers. I like the French plaits – four or five massive plaits look very chic!

[Louise12]

Best turned out prizes have changed things a bit, but traditionally, on the Flat, fillies and gelding were plaited, but colts were not, so perhaps that is what you have noticed, KevMcAlley. Other than that, it’s as other posters have mentioned (personal preference/fashion). I should add that this is in UK/Ireland – I think the French may always have been more inclined to plait colts, and now the likes of Mark Johnston do too. I suppose it then starts to seem churlish to prevent it, if only plaited horses are winning prizes for their lads and lasses.

[KevMc]

Thanks for the answers!

[Author]

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