Let’s talk about them! My mare currently has one that’s about 2" long just big enough for the bridle. But her mane grows forward rather than to a side and drives me nuts. I’d like to double the length of the bridle path to 4" how out of place will that look??
Also tails I come from eventing where the top is often stripped I like how it makes her butt look (does that make me weird?) would that look super out of place?
I think the tail is personal decision. Not many pulled tails in the dressage ring but they are there. Being neat is more important.
I’m not a fan of longer bridlepaths but, again, it’s personal decision and there is no reason to not do it.
No points for bridle paths or tails…do what you want
I am growing out a “too long” bridle path and it is a PITA. My advice, fwiw, don’t do it! Just keep a little section of the mane in a braid if it bothers you.
As for tails - I LOVE the clean look of a docked tail. I do NOT pull, I simply shave up the side of the tail, then use scissors, or my clippers, and lightly trim the top part of the dock. I think it looks so much cleaner, and shows off a horse’s hindquarters.
No dressage points from the judges for either, so it really comes down to personal preference.
I really prefer what it looks like (I also shave and dn’tt pull because I’d like to keep my life). I kinda wish she had the thick neck for roaching. I’m lazy 
I like the “lay the ear back and clip from that point forward” for a bridle path. obviously if you ride a mule or something, your mileage may vary. it does help with the flop forward variety of mane, some.
I love it!! She has a nice neck it’s a little tied in low but a nice shape.
My bridle path is always too long by the end of the season:lol:. So I’m growing one out too, but I may give up. It’s not THAT long.
I must have a mule in disguise :concern: I was doing it that way and then recently realized it was WAY too long and started growing it out to a more reasonable length.
I have a sorrel Paint gelding with next to nothing for his mane, forelock, and tail, and what he does have has a lot of blonde highlights. We don’t show anymore but I do like to keep him looking neat. His skimpy little forelock is almost unbraidable. I do a bridle path and try to keep it about the length of his ear. There isn’t enough mane to be pulled so I trim it with scissors and feather the ends by cutting straight into it,like my hairdresser does for me. He has two whorls on both sides of his neck so if you go too short it’s all cowlicks. I’m compulsive about brushing his tail when I ride. It barely makes it to his hocks but it’s never snarled.
Sometimes I wish he had a little more hair, but then sometimes I wish mine wasn’t poker straight.
I just trim judiciously up either side of the dock, using scissors, to tidy things up without ending up with spikey things to grow out and itch.
I’ve spent the last year growing out a bridle path, but I think I’m about to cut it back in again as he now looks like he’s wearing a toupee.
I do this too and with my mules most of us roach their manes.
I also trim the tail as you suggested. My last horse, I showed in a roached mane for years and was SO HAPPY for it. Her neck came out of the withers well and looked fantastic roached. But I generally kept it short with good scissors, not clippers. I agree, you can sculpt a good neck a bit, but you are out of luck if the neck isn’t great.
This looks amazing. I wish I was brave enough to do this…
I read this as bridle paths and trails…
I bang the tails when the horses step on them getting up and rip out a ton of hair…which is probably too late, the bridle path…according to one boarder, mine is always too long…
On my horse who goes over for full training, the groom (I LOVE HIM) bangs the tail, pulls the mane and keeps the bridle path where the trainer wants it…I don’t much worry about it.
I would be worried about roaching this horse, I don’t think it would work well. She’s lovely btw…
Hahaha, that can be way too long. I was always taught to do 2 fingers - just enough for the bridle.
She has a good enough neck to support a roach - but I think she’s kind of a classic WB/TB type, and would look better with braids. Personally, I think a roach looks better on a more baroque type horse - one with a really round neck. But that is just my own personal opinion.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
