Lycra Hoods / Braid Keepers - recommendations?

[Nuggets]

I’m trying to figure out what brand of lycra hood to try next, and would love some recommendations. I’ve tried the Schneider’s ones, and though they seem to be good from a quality perspective, the head part hangs down over my poor horse’s nose like an elephant trunk. The Tough-1 hood lasted one show before being ripped off and eaten by a neighbor. The Damron’s face size was good, but it was too short and hiked up my horse’s withers like a mini-skirt.

Can anyone recommend a brand that’s durable, with a full-separating zipper, and sizing that fits a normal (not enormous-headed) horse? There are so many different brands out there, I am spending hours staring at tiny photos on websites trying to figure out the differences. Sleazy, Slinky, Jammie, Robinhood… Too many!!

[Pony_Nerd]

Try Fancy Tack mane tamers. She makes custom if you want, for not much more $$ than plain. I had her make an adorable one with an extra-long neck that was black heavy duty lycra with a red foil lipstick/kiss print. (Horse’s show name was Serial Kisser). I really haven’t liked any of the others I’ve tried. Fancy Tack has a website and also an eBay store.

The first one I bought from her was for my daughter’s arab cross pony, and it was used for 4 years of frequent showing. It still looked great when we sold the pony.

[yourcolorfuladdictio]

I love my Jammie for pretty much any horse I’ve put it on (you know, within a normal size range), fits great and isn’t meant for horses with elephant heads. The Jammie I have has fit the tank of a large QH pony I used to have as well as the two refined 15.3ish warmblood mares. It’s held up to a fair amount of abuse both by my pony (rubbing, rolling outside, etc) and myself (thrown on ground, loose in trunk, etc).

[Nuggets]

@Pony Nerd;7181723

Try Fancy Tack mane tamers. She makes custom if you want, for not much more $$ than plain. I had her make an adorable one with an extra-long neck that was black heavy duty lycra with a red foil lipstick/kiss print. (Horse’s show name was Serial Kisser). I really haven’t liked any of the others I’ve tried. Fancy Tack has a website and also an eBay store.

How badly do the shavings stick to them? Custom seems like a good idea.

[Soaponarope]

If this is for keeping braids in I do.not.mean. to be obnoxious. But take braids out and rebraid = best solution. Learn to braid yourself and no need for these slinkies and nicer for pony at a horse show.

[caughtintheact]

I don’t have any experience with other brands, but I have a Sleazy hood that’s going on five or six years–I only use it 3-6 times a year, though. It fits a lot of different head sizes/shapes well and has no tears.

[Pony_Nerd]

Shavings don’t stick to the Lycra at all.

[trail_blazer]

[QUOTE=carroal;7183077]
If this is for keeping braids in I do.not.mean. to be obnoxious. But take braids out and rebraid = best solution. Learn to braid yourself and no need for these slinkies and nicer for pony at a horse show.[/QUOTE]

It’s possible that the OP has the same trouble I do. Our horse is braided during the night, but he runs his braids no matter what. The stalls can be perfectly free of posts etc. but he rubs. He just hasn’t gotten used to it. I did discover that one Braider is evidently more irritating to him although those tight braids looked fabulous… (When he had to come back and re-do them)

[twotrudoc]

[QUOTE=trail blazer;7183551]
It’s possible that the OP has the same trouble I do. Our horse is braided during the night, but he runs his braids no matter what. The stalls can be perfectly free of posts etc. but he rubs. He just hasn’t gotten used to it. I did discover that one Braider is evidently more irritating to him although those tight braids looked fabulous… (When he had to come back and re-do them) ;)[/QUOTE]

Have you asked your braider to do you last? I have one that rubbed this past season, I did him last so I was finished at 5:30 when his breakfast arrived. If I have more than one I just do them last, I have even kept one tied (with a breakaway) from 4 am to when they fed around 6, the groom untied him.

Also, horses will tend to rub if the braider uses uneven tension, you can have dozens of super tight neat braids with even tension and a comfy horse. Or, if there is excess pulling to one side, a very uncomfy horse!

[Nuggets]

Our braiders typically braid in the late evening, between 7-10, not at night, unfortunately - so there’s plenty of time for an ambitious horse to get rid of those itchy braids…

[twotrudoc]

Is this a breed show? I braid for some, they leave the braids in for the whole show!

It is my opinion that you are paying for a service and your braider should accommodate that If you want nice braids, hire a pro. Call one of the local top Hunter barns and get a rec for one.