Article Marketing | Article | Directories | Contents | How to Clip the Bridle Path on a Horse

How to Clip the Bridle Path on a Horse

Posted on July 29, 2010
Filed Under Outdoors, Self Help | Leave a Comment

Many people with horses clip the bridle path, and many people do not. If you show your horse, you probably do want to clip her bridle path as it helps her to look neater for the show ring. On horses with small ears and very thick, bushy manes, clipping the bridle path actually helps to keep the bridle from slipping off. Regardless of whether you need to clip it or just want to, here is how to do it.

As far as horse equipment goes, what you will need to get this done are a pair of scissors, horse clippers and a small stepstool. You will need to have your horse in cross ties too.

First, measure exactly where you’re going to clip. If you feel around your horse’s head between her ears, you’ll feel a knob of bone. Most people start the bridle path just behind that. Another way to determine where it will start is to lay your finger or a pencil behind her ear so that it lies straight across the mane. The bridle path will start about a finger’s width from the base of the ear.

Determining where to end the path is a matter of preference. Arabian horses frequently have very long bridle paths to show off their necks. Western riders generally fold the ear down gently along the neck and cut the path to the length of the ear. English riders cut it only wide enough for a bridle and halter. It’s up to you.

Stand on a small stepstool or something else steady so that while your horse is in cross ties, you can look down on the top of her head. This will make the whole thing much easier, because very few horses are willing to drop their heads while the clippers are on!

Next, take a sharp pair of scissors and cut the mane where the bridle path will be so that it’s only about a half inch long. Then take your horse clippers and clip the remaining hair from back to front along the path, making sure you clip the edges too so there are no stray hairs.

For a final touch, trim the mane a little bit where it meets the base of the bridle path, so that it tapers gently to the path. This helps it lie flat in that area.

Give your horse some treats for being good while you made her all beautiful, and try to clip the path as regularly as possible. It’s much easier to maintain a bridle path than clip one from a full mane, and your horse will readily become accustomed to the activity if you do it regularly.

Share This Article

Related Posts

  1. Choosing The Right Show Saddle
  2. Never Go Riding Without a Dressage Saddle
  3. The Path of a Successful Accountant
  4. How To Finance Land For Sale In Oregon

Comments

Leave a Reply




-->