When you braid your horse for the jumpers, and don’t use a bonnet, do you braid the forelock? I have seen it done both ways. I always braid my jumpers, braid the forelock, and I don’t like to use a bonnet unless there are a lot of flies. Just curious what others normally do…
I have never braided for the jumpers; but if I did, I would braid the forelock.
I don’t braid the forelock
Just looked at some pictures in my house, “jumper braids” and an ear bonnet, so can’t tell if forelock was braided
Most pictures I’ve been able to see of horses braided without bonnets have the forelock unbraided.
The hunter rider in me finds that so difficult to accept. Seems unfinished to me 
At any rate, I have braided for one that wore a bonnet simply because the forelock was so long. It would stick out awkwardly otherwise.
I would not braid the forelock if you wore a bonnet because it creates a bump under it; however if you aren’t wearing a bonnet then braid it. I just think it being unbraided looks messy.
Always used a bonnet as I didn’t want to braid the forelock, as it has yet to grow in 11 years on my jumper- the rest of his mane grows like weeds (as does his coat!) but forelock- nope. And it’s short and fluffy so looks weird if the rest of his mane is braided.
I actually don’t mind the loose forelock with jumper braids, if the horse has a nice forelock. But bonnets are easy, keep earplugs in and flies out!
I’ve always heard that forelocks go unbraided on stallions but braided on geldings and mares. Any truth to that? Is it a regional thing? I don’t ride jumpers (and really don’t show at all…), so technically I’m out of the conversation.
It depends on the horse for me.
My young mare always goes in a bonnet. So if her mane is braided she always has a bonnet over her (unbraided) forelock.
My upper level horse doesn’t wear a bonnet. So if I ever braided him I would do the forelock too. But that’s mostly because I think HE would look better all braided.
Same story on the gelding I just sold. He had a poofy forelock, so I thought he looked better completely braided.
My medium pony, on the other hand, has a Fabio forelock to die for. So while he ultimately will end up in the hunter ring completely braided, if I were to ever show him in a little jumper classic, he would get braided and his forelock would be left to fly in the wind
Anyone looking for bonnets?
Www.etsy.com/shop/SmudgesShop
I create custom fly bonnets, any color you would like. Usually 2 color choices along with crystal beading, soft stretch fabric for the ears, and a matching colored cording to go along. Prices range from 45-55 depending what is added, also now including the option to add pearls. Check out my shop!
[QUOTE=SmudgesShop;8457937]
Anyone looking for bonnets?
Www.etsy.com/shop/SmudgesShop
I create custom fly bonnets, any color you would like. Usually 2 color choices along with crystal beading, soft stretch fabric for the ears, and a matching colored cording to go along. Prices range from 45-55 depending what is added, also now including the option to add pearls. Check out my shop![/QUOTE]
Welcome to the board. Our rules say you can’t advertise here, sorry! This is also a very old thread. Have a good day.
[edit]
My mare has a gigantic forelock and would look silly unbraided. In fact, I braid her forelock even if I don’t braid her mane.
