Mane cutting/pulling & one other question

I don't mind a long mane, but Cooper's is beginning to look unkept, even when brushed. I have tried pulling it with a metal comb, and with a mane puller... both were unsuccessful. I know many are against cutting it, but if I were to cut his mane, what kind of scissors should I use?Office industrial strength scissors? Hair scissors? Any tips are appreciated. I have watched mane pullnig videos and still can't do it right.

My otherq question- unrelated to grooming:

I want my daughter to begin riding properly. I bought a nice helmet, breeches, and boots for christmas. Is it possible for her to ride effectively in my english saddle if I jsut get child stirrup leathers? She rides in it fine without stirrups at all, but just wondering what you all think of the idea? I ride in a 17" saddle. She is 6 and tiny, but seems to feel fine in it.

Thanks in advance

Depending on how long it is to start and how short you want to go, i've used regular scissors to take the bulk of the length off and then thinning shears to make it look less straight cut and to thin the mane out some.

Good luck!

When you say regular scissors, do you mean just whatever I have in the house?

If you really want to cut it, then you should use thinning shears.

As for your daughter...she should be OK for a little bit in your saddle, if the flaps aren't too long for her legs when she uses stirrups.

Yuck scissors.... but seriously I would def use thinning scissors if I were to use any. Pulling really isnt that hard, just try to pull a few hairs at a time until you get the hang of it. Once you figure out a technique that works for you then you can pull more/faster.

yup. Although I found, personally, that little craft type scissors are better because you're not cutting as much in one shot as you would with big industrial/household scissors.