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Question about manes- probably stupid

2K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  xXSerendipityXx 
#1 ·
So, I'd like to just cut my horses main down really short as it's a horrible mess. I haven't done it yet because I can't help but wonder if it has some function in protecting him from the cold. Does it?
 
#2 ·
Not really, no. I'm a mane freak and like to keep mine as long as possible. I actually have to braid my guys mane tomorrow so it doesn't get all messed up.
Clipping I wouldn't do in the winter (aside from brodle paths), especially in the ears. Unless you are competing and have a heated barn.
Tails are good to keep clean and long in the summer for them, as it is good pest control.
You will be okay to cut it though.
Here is my guys lovely mane! :-D

 
#3 ·
^^ Your horse is a beaut!! I also like long luxurious manes.

My friend used to have to shave her appy's mane as it never would grow out past a few inches and stuck straight up in the air. So I would think that if you are just trimming it, you should be okay.
 
#5 ·
I feel so bad for Appy's...they imo have the worst manes and tales EVER! I think what made me fall in love with my Dee was that she had a nice RED mane and a that goofy expression! Of course you can't see it in my avatar of course!!!
 
#6 ·
Every bit of a horse's coat, mane and tail serve some protective function. But stalls, blankets and shelters serve to protect them, too. If you cut the mane bc of burrs, or some other reason, it's just a bad haircut, and will grow back. =D
BTW, Native Americans put fringe on their garments (which Mountain Men, firstly copied) to mimic wild animals. Rain sheds away from the animal's coat, and sheds away from the garments and the wearer and that's how the mane helps the horse, too.
 
#7 ·
The mess can be brushed out IF you want to keep the main. Mine have thick mane, tail and feathers (from their Friesian sires). I use coconut oil. My filly came with a rats nest in her tail that was over 18" long and about 10" thick. Took me a hand full of the oil (it comes as a solid but will melt in your hand) and over 30 minutes to come it out, but I was glad I saved so much of her tail vs cutting it.

Not to say that you shouldn't ever cut them :lol:. Just mentioning an option.
 
#9 ·
I do like his nice mane and tail and don't want to cut it but the prospect of detangling that rats mess is giving me a migraine. I might go about combing it out anyway, just wondered if cutting was a viable option. I need to trim his tail anyway. It's brushing the ground now so I probably should cut it up a couple inches.
 
#11 ·
The toughest one I had to deal with I ended up using a dog brush, with the widely spaced teeth mounted on a flexable rubber base, a good dose of oil worked into hair first and start separating the hair with my fingers before brushing from the bottom up. Took a good 45 min, but I must admit I was glad aftwards that I'd been talked into doing it. It would have take a lot longer to get the hair back than the time I spent fixing it.

But I confess that when I looked at it (prior to fixing it) I just didn't want to have to deal with it when some snips with the scissors would have removed it so easily :lol:. So I know how you feel
 
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