shaved manes on military/police horses

[squashyhat]

Watching the Queen's funeral cortege the other day I noted that quite a few (but not all) of the military and police horses had their manes shaved or clipped very short. Does anyone know why? Why not plait them if the aim is to look neat?

It's not just about looking neat, it stops them getting caught on things or the mane being pulled in service (say in a riot).

It's also sometimes done as it's tradional for the breed, same way some dogs are often clipped in certain styles. But that tradition usually has routes in the mane not getting caught or stuck, in reins or farming equipment for example

I do this on my show horses sometimes to cut down prep time and to keep them cooler in the heat.

This.

Thanks. I also posted this in Chat and have learned it's called hogging . Interesting about the breed-specific clipping - like Shires or Clydesdales having their foot feathers left long?

Heavy horses are often shown more natural - long feathers, longer manes so they can be dressed with ribbons. The tail is usually cut short (the hair, not the actual tail!) because it's traditional and was a safety measure for working horses.

Cobs (chunky stocky horses) are shown hogged, with clean legs and a shorter tail.

Most other show horses are expected to be plaited mane and tail.

Natives are shown in their native condition, with a long mane and tail and their feathers intact. You can trim them a bit but any obvious trimming is frowned upon.

It's basically just a way to show off the best asserts of the horse!