Suggestions on adequate turnout on a full English Shire for foxhunting?
Extremely long mane, forelock, traditional English Shire with long hair everywhere except bridle path…long tail, feathering. I have shown the drafts under saddle with minimal trimming.
I am not lazy, I just prefer the traditional English Shire…always show up, even for trail rides clean and tidy! But just don’t want to “offend”!
Thanks in advance for any comments and/or suggestions.
A member in my hunt rides a full Clydesdale. She does not show him so he has a pulled mane and regular forelock. His tail is regular length and he has his full set of feathers. The other draft crosses have the same type turnout- reasonable mane length, feathers if natural and so on.
I foxhunt my Arab. My hunt is happy with a running braid on breeds where it’s traditional to keep a long mane. There a bunch of good you tube videos that show how to tie it up with yarn to hold it in place.
Is his or her mane long enough to do a french/running braid ? For my percheron mare and friesian gelding, i braid their forelocks and then french braid their manes before each hunt. The french braid is quick and easy and only takes a few minutes to do.
A couple of people hunted their Saddlebreds and would use a running braid.
There is a very good you tube video showing how to use yarn to help keep them from coming out.
I used to show a full clydesdale in light horse flat classes. And while all the other horses were in their buttons and braids - we did either a running braid, or I used to just roll his mane. On occassion I would put in the “flowers” but if we were jumping then I would just roll his mane. Then I’m showing respect for not only the management/judge by having my horse clean and presentable, but also respecting the Clyde traditions.
I hunt my Friesian and have presented her with feather, no feather; long mane in a running braid, short mane in button braids; tail, however, is always banged low just above the fetlocks and I will tie it up in a mud knot if the going is sloppy. I just hate a heavy thick tail bogged down with mud. 
Neat and tidy can manifest in different ways. 
Go with what you prefer!
