Do you see untrimmed whiskers at recognized shows? Update with pic

[kcmel]

I know I “should” trim his whiskers but this is something I hate to do. If I were riding I wouldn’t, but since my trainer is I hate to destroy her reputation lol! She says she would prefer it, but is ok if I don’t. It is a day show if that matters.

Thanks!

[flyracing]

All the time. At the CDI jogs, I’d say more horses have wiskers than are shaved.

[Lucassb]

Many of the horses I see at recognized shows in our area have untrimmed whiskers. I don’t think it is a big deal.

I used to always do a trim of ears, nose & fetlocks prior to shows, but I am now working with a trainer who was born and educated in Germany, where it is illegal to trim whiskers. She was appalled at the idea that I would cut those hairs off! I compromise by no longer using clippers, but just doing a bit of a “tidying up” so they aren’t super long. We’ve had great scores this season so clearly the judges are OK with it

[Windermere]

For both ears and whiskers, I tidy them up with scissors, but would not completely clip them.

[flyracing]

http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos/240?page=0&nid=66629
http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos/240?page=0&nid=66629

[toady123]

Lots. There are some countries that ban it.

My instructor is German and she doesn’t let us trim whiskers or ears (except if there are really long hairs sticking right out - nothing inside).

[BLBSTBLS]

I worked for a long listed Olympic Dressage rider/trainer as his groom for the winter, I asked if he wanted me to trim up the horses. He said absolutely not, he was also German. Horses only had their bridle paths shaved and ears cleaned up. But eyelashes and whiskers were left natural.

[kcmel]

Thanks guys! I like the idea of shortening them up a little. He has a white nose and chin, so his muzzle whiskers are white and a bit obvious.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=flyracing;8712247]
http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos/240?page=0&nid=66629
http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos/240?page=0&nid=66629[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

[Samantha37]

My understanding was that it is illegal to compete in FEI classes with a shaved nose/chin?

[rothmpp]

All I do is the outside edge of the ear to tidy it up a bit. I don’t touch nose/muzzle or eye whiskers.

Show at PSG in recognized shows.

[alibi_18]

[QUOTE=Samantha37;8712288]
My understanding was that it is illegal to compete in FEI classes with a shaved nose/chin?[/QUOTE]

Switzerland and Germany (maybe others countries?) banned whiskers shaving, not the FEI.

-Unless someone can find it in the FEI rulebook.

[ladyj79]

Lots and lots in Europe. It is forbidden to shave muzzles in Germany although not at FEI level because those horses compete all over thus FEI and not host country is the governing body.

[Samantha37]

[QUOTE=alibi_18;8712346]
Switzerland and Germany (maybe others countries?) banned whiskers shaving, not the FEI.[/QUOTE]

Thank you!

[Bogey2]

we never trim the whiskers and neither does my FEI trainer

[sascha]

[QUOTE=kcmel;8712203]
I know I “should” trim his whiskers but this is something I hate to do. If I were riding I wouldn’t, but since my trainer is I hate to destroy her reputation lol! She says she would prefer it, but is ok if I don’t. It is a day show if that matters.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

If riding a horse with untrimmed whiskers is going to destroy your trainer’s reputation, I think you need to start shopping for a new trainer.

It’s 2016, shaved whiskers are becoming a thing of the past. We’re just a little tardy in NA to catch up to the latest trends in animal welfare.

Would you shave your cat’s whiskers? You dog’s?

[sascha]

[QUOTE=kcmel;8712255]
Thanks guys! I like the idea of shortening them up a little. He has a white nose and chin, so his muzzle whiskers are white and a bit obvious.[/QUOTE]

Why shorten them when they are the length the horse is used to? Besides, white whiskers are adorable, and made even more adorable attached to a really nicely ridden dressage horse.

[kcmel]

@sascha;8712377

If riding a horse with untrimmed whiskers is going to destroy your trainer’s reputation, I think you need to start shopping for a new trainer.

I guess you didn’t catch the “lol” in my original quote. As I said, she is chill with not clipping.

[sascha]

[QUOTE=kcmel;8712441]
I guess you didn’t catch the “lol” in my original quote. As I said, she is chill with not clipping.[/QUOTE]

I did catch it, it’s just that I thought it was, er, ridiculous. I mean really, if you don’t want to trim the whiskers why are you here looking for justification TO trim the whiskers. It’s kind of baffling.

[suzy]

Here’s a good article explaining WHY you shouldn’t clip whiskers: http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/clipping-horse-whiskers-yes-or-no-11631