I have a mare and a gelding. The gelding has a roach and I want to grow it out. Is there a correct side of the neck for a mare and a correct side for a gelding?
2007-03-11 14:08:52 · 17 answers · asked by Kelly H 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I ride both my horses English, in dressage.
2007-03-11 14:18:07 · update #1
In the US, most show horses have manes on the right side of their neck (with an exception in some working western and stock horse disciplines, as the mane can interfere with the lariat). I don't know what the rule book says, as my computer is having issues with pdf files, but I'm fairly sure it "technically" doesn't matter. Check out the link below to be sure, though! The rule for manes should be should be somewhere around the "appointments" section. If you're in a USEF show it's a good idea to have a copy of the rule book with you at the show. Sorry I couldn't look up the rule! You should also check with affiliated organizations (USDF at all levels and FEI at higher levels) whenever you have a question like this. It's not worth losing a ribbon over some silly cosmetic issue!
If you're showing "on the circuit," I'd try to train it to the right (with brushing, water, loose braids, mane tamer, hood, etc. -- be careful that he can't rip out the braids...and his mane...). If you're showing locally, it's probably worth it to train it so it's all on the same side, but not worth fighting with nature about which side -- my pasture horses and broodmares all have sections of mane which consistently prefer to lay on the "wrong" side...I don't worry about it until I pull them into the barn and get them ready to hit the big shows.
Also, braiding at shows can help to some extent, but you'll
have trouble getting your braids to lie flat if the mane isn't at least mostly on one side.
Good luck growing out that roached mane! Also, if you're just getting more serious in your showing, I highly recommend Susan Harris' book: Grooming to Win for tons of great information on grooming. I was grooming-obsessed in high school...and still sort of am...
2007-03-11 15:20:48 · answer #1 · answered by melissa_keely 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In all english disciplines the horses mane should be on the right side of its neck. There are many tricks for getting it to lay on the right side, I recomend braiding it down on the right side and then covering with a mane tamer or a sleezy. For the roached gelding I would start with a mane tamer now to get it to grow in on the side you want. As far as mare and gelding they follow the same rules.
2007-03-12 14:12:39 · answer #2 · answered by auequine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Horses manes can be on any side of their neck. It depends on what side you want it to be on. My mares mane was very short, when it started to grow out, I use rubber hair bands and turned it to the side you want. Its no different for a mare, gelding or stallion. So you pick!
Hope Your Horses Manes Look Great
2007-03-11 22:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by HorseyGurl101 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a "correct" side. On our horses the mane usually hangs on the off (right) side, although a couple of them had some stubborn locks that hung on the on (left) side. And some horses' manes hang entirely to the on side.
2007-03-11 23:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by hockey_gal9 *Biggest Stars fan!* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, for showing at big shows, I think the mane is supposed to be on the right side, but I'm not sure.
Otherwise, it doesn't really matter. The main will grow *away* from your horses stronger side, so its a good reminder to work both sides of your horse evenly.
2007-03-11 21:15:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you and your horse show competetively (english) your horses mane should hang to the right side.
Generally show horses from europe have mane's that hang on the left side.
If you do not show or anything it doesnt matter at all, regardless or the horses sex, as long as it is all to the same side.
2007-03-11 21:20:04 · answer #6 · answered by killing me softly 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is just like a human hair part, it really doesnt matter what side it goes on, every horses is different. Most owners try and get it to go all on one side though.
2007-03-12 12:15:33 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah C- Equine Help 101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no there isn't a horses mane can lay on any side, just make sure it's the side you want it on. i have two geldings and there mane's are on either side!!!
2007-03-11 22:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've seen horses where it hangs on either side or both at the same time.
2007-03-11 21:18:23 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really matter which side it hangs on. The horses mane will get use to one side so that's the side it'll grow on.
2007-03-11 21:14:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋