Position of forelock while driving

[Marsha Cassada]

[SIZE=8pt]I have always pulled my horse's forelock back behind his ear and tucked under the headstall while harnessed. He has a nice face, and I hate to have it obscured by the forelock. While at a parade recently, a hroseman came up and started to pull the forelock out and put it it front between the blinders, as one would do with a riding horse. I told him I preferred it behind, and he quickly replaced it (I know, he had a NERVE!) I suppose he thought I had accidentally left it behind the ear.[/SIZE]

My sister leaves her horse's forelock in front between the blinders, but I think it looks messy and detracts from the look of the head. She is used to riding horses, though, which usually have thinner forelocks. Even if the forelock starts out tidy, by the time she drives awhile, it fans out across the whole front of the face.

I do notice when I pull the forelock behind the ear and headstall, it does keep the blinder wire from being centered somewhat.

What is the appropriate position for the forelock while in harness? I am speaking of regular pleasure driving, NOT in the show ring.

 

[MiLo Minis]

I don't really think there is a "proper" place to put the forelock when driving. I put mine behind the right ear. A lot of people braid their horses mane and forelock for driving and so have a little rosebud centered on the forehead. I have also seen lots left straight down which I too find looks messy very shortly. I run a little gel in mine though so maybe if you gelled it to leave it straight down it might stay neater.

 

[Sue_C.]

The forelock is the only part of the mane I will undercut. I make a "V" under the forelock, and also clip it a bit forward of the bump between the ears on a thick maned horse. I also pull it so it isn't so thick, even on a horse that doesn't need the undercut, either way, by the time I am done, it is really a non-issue because there is no fuzzy-wuzzy mess to deal with.

I really dislike seeing a mini or pony with a thick flare of forelock filling it's entire face. Especially where we must use blinders...I figure it is only right to give the poor animal a break and let it at least see straight ahead.

 

[squeaky]

I braid my mare's forelock and pull it in front of the ear an tuck it under the cheek piece. I think which ever way you do it, it should be fine, as long as it isn't uncomfortable for the horse.

Amanda

 

[Riverdance]

I thin out my driving horses forelock then with what is left, I braid and tuck under the cheek piece infront of their ear. Neat and clean and out of the way.

 

[disneyhorse]

I have always braided my horses' forelocks and put the braid in front of the ear on the side which the mane falls... so the braid is pinned down by the concho on the side of the bridle.

When I got into showing the Modern Shetlands, we braid with ribbons in the braid... and the braids are tucked in the bridle just as I have always done.

For pleasure driving with draft horses, most people just shave the forelock off completely so that they don't have to worry about it.

There really isn't a "proper" way.

Andrea

 

[maryann]

Just a note. I had a judge tell me once that braiding a forelock in Pleasure or Country Pleasure

in sanctioned shows was not allowed. However I have done it several times and tucked it

behind the band on the head stall and the concho so that it could not be seen.

Maryann

 

[disneyhorse]

Just a note. I had a judge tell me once that braiding a forelock in Pleasure or Country Pleasure in sanctioned shows was not allowed. However I have done it several times and tucked it

behind the band on the head stall and the concho so that it could not be seen.

Maryann

Was this AMHA or AMHR?

In AMHR, a discreet, neatly done braid is allowed in driving classes for forelocks but yes, the braiding of manes and tails is definitely not allowed.

In Pleasure, Park, and Roadster classes for AMHR, you can even braid ribbons in your stable colors, in the mane and forelock (in the style of the Shetlands and Saddlebreds and Hackneys... ribbons in the forelock and then in a single braid right behind the bridlepath in the mane.)

Andrea

 

[hobbyhorse23]

I thin out my driving horses forelock then with what is left, I braid and tuck under the cheek piece infront of their ear. Neat and clean and out of the way.

Ditto if I'm competing or it's summer. In the winter when my little dude is all fuzzy-wuzzy I love the halflinger look with his long blond forelock draping down to his nose. On Kody with his long narrow head and tiny ears this looks quite good; on other horses not so much. If there's any concern it's getting in his eyes I will braid it as above and tuck it away.

Leia