The standard and method of presentation of the Clydesdale varies depending on the age and sex of the horse.
Typically a stallion will have a mane roll (a 4-plait of 2 strands of wool and 2 strands of hair) plus standards in their mane (an odd number often 7)
In Australia, mares frequently have a plaited mane roll with no standards. Some have no mane roll at all - it is optional.
Geldings are frequently plaited like a stallion.
Fillies and colts can have mane rolls, or not - often horses under 12 months do not. It is optional as yearlings.
Some exhibitors like to make their mane rolls from wool. Others use the fabric tube- 2 colours about 2.2 metres long to begin with.
Tails: generally these days, horses under three years of age can be shown with a long tail, but putting a bun in the top, or two tail sprigs at the top, can help.
From about age 3 and over generally the idea is to get the tail hairs away from the hocks so the judge can see the horse's action.
This can be done by plaiting a bun at the top, and cutting or shaving the rest of the dock, as seen in some photos in the slideshow.
The alternative way is a type of 'polo plait' where the length of the tail bone the dock is plaited around all the hairs, then below that the remaining hairs are plaited then drawn back up under the top part, to be bunned at the top, as some photos will show.
Some breeders use a hair piece, tail fan or a scrunchie around the bun. Others just tie a bow with some ribbon using two colours.
The colours chosen for the plaiting are entirely optional. Some people like to use 'family tree' colours. Some may pick the colours of a cart, waggon or lorry they might be exhibiting later. Others use royal blue and white, which are the colours of the St Andrews flag and cross - the flag of Scotland.
However, do not let a lack of skill prevent you from going out and trying to show your horse. A well-groomed clean, washed clydesdale can look quite presentable without decoration, until you learn some of the skills of plaiting them up!
The slideshow below scrolls through about 25 photos, at a 2-second interval. The photos were taken at various major shows around the country. You can stop the scrolling and look at any individual picture by just clicking over it, then if needed, clicking the forward or back arrows to see the remainder.
