Should I correct Penny's mane??? To the 'Correct' side?

[Miss MoneyPenny]

Just been thinking, now that I am starting out on the road to shows, and dressage, should I think about training penny's VERY long mane over to the 'correct' side? I have left it since I got her as I never thought that I'd be BRAVE enough to show, what do you all think???

If I were ever good enough in shows, would we be marked down for this?

[Jay.o]

Some judges may be picky like that, but they *shouldn't* really mark you down becuase of the mane's siding - it's not what I would call a valid reason to drop a few marks!

What *is* the correct side, lol! Mysy's was both sides when I got her. Now, I have trianed it over to her right side.

[Wally]

Life's too short!;) :D

[lynz+ollie]

what showing are you doing? if m=m it shouldn't matter but any other clas it might, a lot of ridden showing like you to plait but there is no chance of gettting a long mane to plat weel, but if it is neatly on one side they wont mind. dressage as long as it is on one side and they can see the ouline of the neck it shud be ok

[Mehitabel]

it's the kind of thing that, while the judge probably won't specifically mark you down for it (unless it's a turnout class) it all adds to the picture, and in showing, the initial picture and first impression is extremely important. it's the kind of thing that might just make the difference if a judge can't decide between two horses.
it does matter in M&M classes, other classes are plaited so the plaits wil hold the mane over, so what the mane does between shows doesn't matter at all.

presumably you're thinking traditional coloured classes primarily? it's not the first thing i;d be worried about.
if you're going to do it, then wash it and condition it, then band it over - don't plait it over, as this wil break the hairs and if she scratches she might take a whole plait out. band it in lots and lots of small bunches (i've used up to about 40 on a pony before) and make sure it lies down, not just sticking up.

every couple of days, take them out, wash and condition again, and re-band. eventually it'll stay over of its own accord. took about 6 months on petal, and now it lies over on its own.

[Miss MoneyPenny]

Thanks for your input guys!

Like you said, they *shouldn't* mark us down! I think that I'll be leaving it as it is, as she has a nice colour marking at the top of her neck which when the mane is on the left you can see!

Thanks for the tips Es, you never know when I might change my mind!;)

[Wally]

In the Icelandic world folk will give anything for a double mane, Ljóssie has such a beutiful mane, hence his name Ljósfaxi, "remarkable pale mane"

Andrew the Pants is off to his first show in August, He too has a double mane, M&M he may well be in, but I am not going to try to train it over, he will be shown full, as a Shetland should be with a double mane!:p :D ;) Anyway we'll be going so fast round those cones in the driving they won't be able to see! They'll think there's a Fresian in the ring!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Mehitabel]

yes - shetlands are a bit different! i do NFs, and as they're pulled anyway, neatness and mane on the right side is more important - the ones shown properly au naturel have a fair bit more leeway.