Bridle path in the mane?

LauraGeeGee

LauraGeeGee

Active Member
Oct 5, 2008
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Collier Row, Essex
Do you have a bridle path in your horses mane?

Rosie did have one though it's grown out now. Been watching a DVD on grooming and trimming. Can't see Rosie standing as stock still as come of the horses on the Vid!:bounce:

Is it really necessary? What are the benefits? Is it just cosmetic?

Just wondering!
 
I prefer to have one as i imagine it would make having the bridle on more comfy as not trapped hair, however my pony doesn't agree so she doesn't have one :redcarded:
 
I think if ever there was a horse that needed one, it would be mine. His forelock is around an inch and a half thick up there, but it would be impossible to cut through. I've settled for a cutback headpiece on his bridle to help it.
I love seeing other people's ear shots on here, it looks so neat and tidy.
 
I had my boy hogged this year as he had such a thick mane a bridle path always looked a bit silly.

My daughters pony doesn't really need one as his mane is thin and wispy.
 
Ziggy had a bridle path in his long Connie mane when I got him. I didn't like it - I prefer the natural look - and am growing it out. I can see the point though, it made things easier when tacking up.
 
My boy is a Highland with a very thick & long mane so any trimming is a no no & I have no problem without a shaved bit :smile:.Also would have thought as the hair starts to grow the stubble would be uncomfortable :unsure:.
 
tubby said:
My boy is a Highland with a very thick & long mane so any trimming is a no no & I have no problem without a shaved bit :smile:.Also would have thought as the hair starts to grow the stubble would be uncomfortable :unsure:.
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The stubble is not a problem as I keep it trimmed down all the time as part of his daily groom. I also use a comfort bridle which I think helps I have never had a problem tacking up with any horse I have owned. I dont see what the problem is.
 
I have never had a problem tacking up with any horse I have owned. I dont see what the problem is.[/QUOTE
:biggrin: Neither have I & in the past fifty odd years of horse ownership have never bothered doing a bridle path.Never caused a problem when plaiting either,think it's just a case of everyone to their own really everyone does things their own way :biggrin:
 
My lad has a fairly thin mane and no forelock to speak of, so not much use for plaiting - something I like to do if I go to a show.

I was trying to grow out his bridle path so that I could brush some of his mane forward, and not pulling his mane to let it thicken up a bit, when someone at the yard pulled his mane, and trimmed his poll - I asked for that not to be done again.

Six months later his bridle path was growing out nicely, and I was carefully trimming his mane with scissors, when whatdaya know, his mane was pulled and his bridle path trimmed - I was nearly in tears, there was no way I'd be able to plait him up if I went anywhere.

I have now found out who is in charge of pulling/trimming and told her I want his mane left alone (bridle path is starting to grow out again) and I'll trim it to a suitable length for plaiting!



Hopefully I'll get my way this time!!
 
The idea is to have a space between the mane and forelock for the bridle to sit comfortably without the hair being pulled in an awkward direction.

I sometimes give Puzzle one, but being as her forelock is a little thin I actually pull a little bit of mane forward to give it more bulk and that gives the bridle something to sit on.

I will probably give Inca one as she has alot more hair than Puz!
 
I always thought it looked uncomfy for them?! The bridle resting on hair that's pointing straight up instead of laying flat...?

My TB has a thinnish mane anyway, I usually do the same as bitsnpieces and pull a bit more through to his forelock :D
 
Rosie has lots of forelock and mane and I do generally give her a bridlepath. I tend to be fussier about it in the summer when we are riding more - its several inches long at the mo! I always worry she'll have a little cold patch if I trim it in the winter (pathetic I know!) :bounce:

I feel the bridle does sit better and doesnt move about so much and it takes away any confusion when Im not paying attention and am half asleep! As far as looks go - couldnt care less!
 
Ive always put one in my boys mane, it just looks far more comfy IMO.

And plus its much easier than having to faff around making a parting and pulling bits of hairs out.

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Even when i hogged my boy i still did him a little bridle path :giggle:
Although ive let it grow out now.

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I agree with the points made earlier in that I see it as more uncomfortable for a bridle to be sat on short hair than a longer mane where the hair is easilly parted and that parting hold the bridle in place.

Joy had one when I first bought her but I let it grow out as I never liked the look and didn't think it was effective to be worth the trouble anyway.
 
LL doesnt have one but it does annoy me how I can never seem to get her bridle on, mane to the side and forlock to the front so maybe one is in order ?? so how do I go about it ?

She doesnt have much forlock, well much is understatement she has pretty much none but quite decent length mane, maybe I should opt for a comb forward. :giggle:
 
Lobelia Overhill said:
I was trying to grow out his bridle path so that I could brush some of his mane forward, and not pulling his mane to let it thicken up a bit, when someone at the yard pulled his mane, and trimmed his poll - I asked for that not to be done again.

Six months later his bridle path was growing out nicely, and I was carefully trimming his mane with scissors, when whatdaya know, his mane was pulled and his bridle path trimmed - I was nearly in tears, there was no way I'd be able to plait him up if I went anywhere.
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I would be fit to be tied if someone took it upon themselves to muck about with Kali in this way! What are your livery arrangements and who did this to your horse?

N
 
It also helps when you have an ear shy horse, silver wriggles and worms when I mess with her hair around the bridle, so for that purpose it makes it easier too as she has quite a thick mane and can be stressful for both of us trying to get some order to the hair if she's having a bad day with her ears
 
popularfurball said:
It also helps when you have an ear shy horse, silver wriggles and worms when I mess with her hair around the bridle, so for that purpose it makes it easier too as she has quite a thick mane and can be stressful for both of us trying to get some order to the hair if she's having a bad day with her ears
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Daughters pony is very ear shy, I'm glad his mane is thin, wouldn't fancy going near his ears with a pair of scissors.
 
Always! Mane pulled and bridlepath clipped in. Needs doing again at the moment though as i forgot to do it last time i clipped him.
 
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