If you’ve decided to let you horse or pony’s mane, tail and feathers go au naturel for whatever reason, chances are you will have heard one of these five comments at some point…
1. You’re always getting asked about your horse’s hair care routine
It’s true, you spend three times as much on your horse’s hair products than your own. While you tend to opt for an own-brand supermarket shampoo for yourself, your horse is treated to a luxury array of natural shampoos and conditioners to keep his mane and tail silky soft. You also battle with a bottle of foul-smelling pig oil a couple of times a week to keep his feathers healthy. Because let’s face it, his L’Oréal moment is way more important than yours.
2. ‘You should hog him’
Your yard friends with their finer plaited horses will constantly be nagging you to tidy up your horse’s locks. While they appreciate that mane might be a struggle to squeeze into a row of neat plaits, they seem intent on sharpening his look, and hogging seems like the perfect way to do this. But it certainly is an extreme makeover so proceed with caution before you get clipper-happy…
3. Your horse often gets judged on his fluffy appearance
Those who don’t know your horse might assume that he can’t keep up on hacks, or might be super cuddly in the stable. But don’t be fooled, when he’s on a mission he can out-walk any eventer, and don’t assume that just because he’s soft and furry he likes snuggles, as you could end up with a chunk missing from your arm.
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4. Your mare is always getting referred to as ‘he’
Just because she’s rocking the longest moustache in the county does not mean she’s any less of a lady.
5. ‘Wouldn’t you like a horse to compete?’
The stereotype of the hairy cob still rages on but you’re more than happy to break down barriers and prove that just because he’s got a bit more mane than most, he can still extend his trot and gallop for glory. And wait until you see him jump…
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
