Foe me I love the long coats. I feel that is what makes a yorkie look like a yorkie. I've never cut any of mine down. I have one with a VERY thick coat he's like washing a bear, I brush him once in the morning and he's set for the day. Besides he's a bit long in the body so if I did cut him down he'd look like a wiener dog....
At one time I had four boys, they all had long coats and they all had ponies too, I don't mind but I can see why someone would cut theirs down.