Re: Is Hogging Your Horses Mane Cruel?

Cobs (not the traditional gyspy ones) are hogged for the show ring, as this is considered "correct" for showing this type of horse.  Some people hog their horses if they suffer from sweet itch too as the horse tends to rub the mane out until it's raw due to the itching.  There is usually a reason for hogging, and it doesn't hurt the horse so no cruel it isn't.  But as Sonia says if you choose to hog you need to provide alternative measures for fly protection such as a fly rug with neck attached, and a fly veil/fringe, not to mention fly spray, all of which a horse with sweet itch would be having and so would a show horse to keep him or her in optimum show condition.