The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

My NightMARE... (burrs in mane)

4K views 14 replies 15 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
Oh my goodness.
I walked out to the pasture after being absent from the barn for a week (vacation) and saw what my eyes couldn't believe.
My Shetland pony mare who has a gorgeous past her shoulder length, thick mane, had gotten into burrs.
And I mean BURRS.
They always get them in the fall (usually not this early, but I guess they did this time).. but never this bad! Because I hadn't taken care of it for a week (she's always out to pasture at the barn, and we had people taking good care of her, but that's beside the point.) it got really bad.
It can't be comfortable for her! It's still really hot where we live! And it's like having a porcupine stuck on your head!!
I didn't have time to deal with it yesterday, being that I was just out there to water them and say hi before I went to school, but today I have time and I'm going to tackle this problem!!
HOW in the HECK do you get that many burrs out of a mane like her's? Her mane was so gorgeous, but honestly I don't think there's a way I'm getting them out without roaching. :shock:
I'm afraid to roach her mane. It's like me going from lower back-length hair to a buzz cut... It'll be that drastic.
Moral support needed.
 
See less See more
#3 ·
While this isn't funny, it is --- only because, when I was kid and my horses were on 98 acres, you wouldn't believe the burrs they'd come in with every night. We didn't have a bushhog, unless the cows counted for anythig:shock:

When my horses got matted head-to-tail like the pictures in the link (they could come in nearly every night in the summer looking like that), it was stay at the barn pick that garbage out, literally hair-by-hair.

Even though mom wasn't really a horse person, her philosophy on roaching was "---you will NOT roach their manes, young lady, just to take the easy way out--" easy for her to say - lollol

But I got really good at separating hairs from cockle burrs --- it's an ugly job but, if you want to preserve that very long mane, it's your only choice:-(
 
#5 ·
I use a BOTTLE of corn oil pour on at the roo let it drip in, and just keep adding until saturated and then tak a WIDE tooth comb start and the bottom to make a path fo pull them out, and just work up it isnt soo bad, it is but that works wonders for me, and the oil keeps it from tearing the hair out! when I got Romeo he literally had a a whaad of burrs and hair rats nest that was over 2 feet long and 18 inchies around(yes we measured it) it only took about 30 minutes to get it out when i did he had a tail that drug on the ground (still does!) but that is the cheapest easiest way, I also heard fabric softner,but I never tried it! Goood Luck!
 
#6 ·
Silicone spray, like Showsheen, patience, carefully separating the hairs from the burrs. Try not to use a comb, use your fingers & it takes a good long while, so have a drink handy next to you! It can be done with minimal hair loss. Good luck!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#11 ·
Actually, I prefer to use a non-oily human hair conditioner. Dancer hates baths, and I don't have to rinse it out when I'm done, no matter how much I have to use.
 
#13 ·
My mare came in with burrs all through her mane and tail. I used mane and tail detangler (cheap bottle) and a lot of patience and cursing under my breath, but got them all out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top