Have you considered
a farmer’s pack??
Eyelashes
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
I’ve NEVER :no: heard of clipping eyelashes…NEVER. And what would be the purpose???
Centeur, I think she means those long whiskery hairs around the eyes, not the eyelashes actually on the eye lid. Trimming the long coarse ones is pretty normal.
centeur
ironically your reaction matches mine when people mention clipping muzzles and feathers, too.
i do usually clip my mare for the winter but i leave the legs alone at all times.
would a running braid or something comparable be acceptable in lieu of puling the mane?
marta -
Tell me your size (in a PM) and I’ll see if any of the many 2nd hand tack stores in the Middleburg area has in the way of a ratcatcher to fit you.
I have one extremely lovely heavy wool Harris Tweed ratcatcher (for those COLD fall days) that is a size larger than I wear and no longer fits me, and will be glad to pass it on to another owner.
BTW - You don’t have to pull the mane. I ride my endurance pony foxhunting, and his mane is MUCH longer than the standard hunter/jumper length - about 6-8". I don’t braid unless it is Opening Meet; I merely brush his mane so that it looks lovely. I clip his winter coat, but leave his legs alone unless he just gets so hairy that I’m finding I have to spend hours scrubbing his legs to keep him clean. That’s when I grab the clippers and buzz that offending hair off onto the aisle floor. :lol: I do NOT, nor will I ever, clip whiskers. EVER.
Clean appearance is a must, but several times I’ve been told by Masters and Huntsman that it is the rider’s and their horse’s manners in the hunt field is FAR more important than how that person looks.
I have noticed in many of the Northern VA hunts lots of people riding draft type horses with feathered ankles. We have a Friesian in our hunt who is long maned and feathered legs – and everyone adores her. Every feathered horse I’ve seen has been groomed neat and tidy, and no one says a thing. And this includes Piedmont which is about the most traditional hunt anywhere. Way back in the old days it would have been different and you would have been told outright to turn out your horse as a “proper hunt horse” or stay home – but those days are gone.
[QUOTE=marta;4269675]
would a running braid or something comparable be acceptable in lieu of puling the mane?[/QUOTE]
You’d have to check with your particular hunt, as expectations vary widely. Again - neat and clean, for the most part, are what count.
My local hunt is much more relaxed about attire and appointments than many hunts back east. We actually are only required to braid for opening hunt, and as I have Saddlebreds, I do a running French braid. This coming season I will be hunting my youngest, and he will either get his mane pulled (he’s a dressage horse) or he will be braided with a running French braid every time we hunt. It gets tangled in the reins and in my fingers.
I not-so-secretly long to roach his mane…he’s like the love child of Fabio and Rapunzel. Too. Much. Hair.
LOL!
[QUOTE=asb_own_me;4269970]
I not-so-secretly long to roach his mane…he’s like the love child of Fabio and Rapunzel. Too. Much. Hair.[/QUOTE]
hahaha, that’s quite a visual there.
GTD, you make me feel better. i was worried that my feathered beast with whiskers would make everyone gag 
and thank you for your kind offer, i will certainly PM you my size.
Just curious, but how are the tack stores in Middleburg consignment-wise for those of us who are ahem a bit larger on top? Even looking in Horse Country (which is SO out of my budget right now), I seriously doubt that some of their stuff would fit me since most equestrian clothing tends to run on the small size.
see u at x
timely question since i was just debating what size jacket i would require given that i share your ahem issue on top.
last time i ordered a coat i couldn’t even get my 2 arms into it
I hunt on a budget and it seems that every year the budget is getting smaller!
If you are clean, neat and your horse is well-behaved, it will go a long way. I buy most of my equestrian attire on eBay and if you’re patient, almost everything you need or want shows up!
I too, believe that it is
far more important to have a neat appearance, respectful behavioral horse and rider, AND KNOW when to be still and QUIET, over certain grooming habits. I personally NEVER clip the long eye hairs and hate clipping muzzle hairs (Rarely, very rarely!!) as I believe good ole’ Mother Nature put them there for a very important reason. Now, I’m no “expert” in grooming or hunting. But I have competed, served as whipper-in to huntsmen of respected and knowledgeable farmer’s packs and served as huntsman, master and kennelman of a pack of hounds. I don’t remember thinking or even noticing that someone hadn’t clipped facial hairs of their horse. I far more remember trying to stay away from the chatty, the uncontrolled horse and rider and the “had to many sips from the old flask persons” who undoubtedly can’t wait for the treats after the hunt. The hunt’s first goal is hound work all else follows behind that goal.
It’s a great sport and a never ending learning experience. Hunting folks are interesting, come from all walks of life, and can be a joy to be around. But when the hounds are hunting, be respectful of hounds and staff. They are attempting to show you a great day in the field!! Enjoy.
Well, the MTE has a large variety of sizes and types of jackets, but it all depends on what is currently consigned. I’ve seen meltons there up to chest size 48 (which is US 18? 20?) and show jackets up to US 22. All of the jacket manufacturers have their own sizing. Remember that jackets from the UK are sized 2 smaller than US sizing (so a UK 14 is a US 10), or they go by chest sizes. Makers like Grand Prix (CAN) mark them like the UK version, while RJ Classics correspond to US sizing (so a RJ 8 = standard US 8).
So, you really have to TRY on the jackets to know if it will fit, or take all your measurements, and then call the MTE to see what they have. The ladies there will gladly measure the jacket for you to compare against your measurements.
Hope that helps!
[QUOTE=marta;4270089]
timely question since i was just debating what size jacket i would require given that i share your ahem issue on top.
last time i ordered a coat i couldn’t even get my 2 arms into it ;)[/QUOTE]
Oh, I HATE when that happens. I end up feeling as though my arms are not skinny enough, and I think, “But…but…they’re my ARMS for crying out loud! I’m not THAT big, am I???” :lol: I actually had to order a show shirt last year in a freakin’ size 48 or 50 just to be on the safe side that it would fit! It IS too big for me, but it’s always under a coat anyway.
[QUOTE=tullio;4269660]
Centeur, I think she means those long whiskery hairs around the eyes, not the eyelashes actually on the eye lid. Trimming the long coarse ones is pretty normal.[/QUOTE]
That is exactly what I meant, thank you Tullio. I would never clip the actual eyelashes off
[QUOTE=SidesaddleRider;4270135]
Well, the MTE has a large variety of sizes and types of jackets, but it all depends on what is currently consigned. I’ve seen meltons there up to chest size 48 (which is US 18? 20?) and show jackets up to US 22. All of the jacket manufacturers have their own sizing. Remember that jackets from the UK are sized 2 smaller than US sizing (so a UK 14 is a US 10), or they go by chest sizes. Makers like Grand Prix (CAN) mark them like the UK version, while RJ Classics correspond to US sizing (so a RJ 8 = standard US 8).
So, you really have to TRY on the jackets to know if it will fit, or take all your measurements, and then call the MTE to see what they have. The ladies there will gladly measure the jacket for you to compare against your measurements.
Hope that helps![/QUOTE]
SSR, you are a GEM!!! Knowing that there is usually a variety helps a lot. I think that’s an excellent excuse to head over to Middleburg one of these weekends. Thank you!
[QUOTE=marta;4270089]
timely question since i was just debating what size jacket i would require given that i share your ahem issue on top.
last time i ordered a coat i couldn’t even get my 2 arms into it ;)[/QUOTE]
I am tall, broad shouldered and ah, “gifted” in the female department. I have had great luck buying mens tweed coats and having them altered in the waist to fit. They look good and have some extra pockets to boot. I love them.
I’ve only gone twice, at the invitation of a friend, and I admit I was worried it might be a snooty scene, but it wasn’t at all. People were good humored and everyone introduced themselves (I made one introduction while cantering through a gap in the hedge - quite a feat.) The master who led the hilltoppers was a font of fascinating information - I noticed how sometimes he asked us to spread out so as not to leave a track in a field, other times to ride single file; he played guessing games with us, as in who could guess the exact time by the sun alone; he explained what he could understand from the hounds, even when they were out of sight. Really interesting.
So for my first outing, which was pre-season, so less formal - I bought (all at the consigment shop):
-a used tweed show coat ($80, but good for other riding and driving shows in the future)
-a used saddle-shaped synthetic fleece pad (I only had square ones)
-a used white show shirt ($10!)
-a stock tie and pin ($10!) (spending two hours starching it and practicing tying it properly: priceless!! 
)
I used my wintec saddle and a black dressage bridle with the flash taken off.
I vacuumed and show-sheened my Morgan horse until she was spotless, but didn’t braid or clip.
I put on hair nets (several - I have flyaway hair).
I wore my black schooling breeches and well-polished paddock boots with well-polished half chaps.
For the other time I went, which was in them more formal season the adjustments I made were:
-bought a nice pair of beige breeches (which I never use for schooling, but save for showing, clinics, etc.)
-borrowed a black coat from a friend - it was a little short in the arms, but oh well.
-pulled out my old tall boots, which don’t fit perfectly anymore but are manageable and nice and shiny.
-borrowed a hunting-length whip to carry, instead of a dressage-length one.
I do agree the main things are to be very responsive to instructions from other folks as to where to ride, when to be quiet, what position to stay in, etc. I was assigned to a “buddy” who I was to stay with at all times, and do as she said, and she was very helpful. In general being quiet and instantly obedient was a good strategy! You can learn so much just by looking and listening. I found everyone very helpful and welcoming - they like to have new members! I had a great time! Give it a try!
Got your PM. While we’re both blessed in the “gifted” department :D, I’m afraid the jacket is too small. 
Bummer!
But I’m going to keep my eye open for you – I can find hunt clothing gems in the oddest places, and now that I know your size I can scout specifically with you in mind.
I feel sorry for you guys but at the same time I can sympathize with the dilemma of not being able to get clothing that fits well. It’s hard for me to get clothes because so many people are around my general size so it’s slim pickings in the stores unless I order online. I’m glad there are places like The Tack Exchange and other such stores because it really does help those of us who hate the annoying difficulties of ordering clothing and other items online that turn out to be duds. Better to hold it in your hands before you lay down the clams, I always say. :yes:
gtd
thanks for trying!
btw, i just went to the link in your sig line and made my way to the hunt photos. i love itchy! he looks so cute among all those tall dark hunt horses.
how do you maintain his mane? do you trim it like that w/ scissors or do you pull it to that length? my mare has long thick coarse mane. i never pull it. for distance rides i would do the macrame braids on her. i’m trying to figure out what i can do to make her look more groomed without resorting to shortening her mane too much.
