Trimming of the hair around the lower leg and foot is optional. Use of hoof black is to be discouraged but again optional. Reasonable shaving of excess body hair if showing in a winter class will not be penalized. Shaving of the hair area of the brand or tatoo to help protect an animal from theft is allowed and encouraged at any time of the year, especially in winter. Nature has more experience at doing what is best for the horse than we owners do.
Some hair is there for a very good health reason.
Some breeders do not show on a regular basis, they pull horses out of a pasture setting, or bring them in from a working stock job, clean them up and go to a show once a year. Those horses must go back out to pasture or to work and have the natural hair protection that Mother Nature intended for it. Acceptable attire for handlers or riders may be Western, English, Spanish, Portugues, Mexican or any dress attire that looks professional. Performance Classes - horses under the age of 2 may not be ridden in any class. Horses the age of 3 at the time of the show may be ridden in walk trot performance classes only.