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What would you do with her mane?

5K views 26 replies 18 participants last post by  Semperfiwife 
#1 ·
So when I got this girl I felt like a kid in a candy store. Look at that mane! I was so excited about braiding it and getting it beautiful....now I'm lost.
It's so light colored that if I put ANYTHING on it it collects dirt. I can't leave it out because it gets dread locks and takes hours to get out.
Today its beautiful out and I want to take advantage of that and wash it out and braid it. I have a tail bag and I plan on putting that on her tail, but what do I do with her mane?
I'm having some mane bags made for me, but they aren't here yet and I don't want to loose this beautiful day.
What would you guys do? Just condition it and braid it and let it get dirty? I don't just mean today, I want to know in general what you would do to.
I've looked everywhere for ideas, but I can't find anything. I had a friend as a kid that use to braid her horse's tail up in rags, but I never payed attention to how she braided it and I can't find any videos or directions on how to do it. Can I do this in her mane?
Oh, and I did put coconut oil in it a few days ago. What a disaster! It's too cold here to do that :) Her braids are stiff as a board right now


Thanks!
Sorry the picture is so big. I can't figure out how to make them smaller
 
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#3 ·
Being that I do the hunter thing I would pull it short and not have to worry about it.

For now I guess I would wash it and braid it down and yes, it will get dirty but it will not get tangled and a mess.
 
#7 ·
I love Lazer Sheen it actually helps keep my manes and tails clean and brushable, granted when they go outside they roll and get dirty but when I spray lazer sheen in the mane and tail and brush it every other day they don't get to bad and the dirt doesn't cling to it.
 
#12 ·
I know a welsh stallion, who i get to occasionally brush down, his mane is down to his chest,
The way to do it is imho, is to leave it out, and when you brush it, use lots of mane n tail detangler, that stuff works amazingly and you dont have to literally feel like you want to chop your arm off :) !
 
#13 ·
I would never cut it thats for sure. And is it really that big a deal?? A horse is a horse and they are gonna get dirty. Also the more oily stuff you add, yes the more dirt it will collect. I have a Perlino filly and I just leave hers alone. When I do go and brush it I use the mane and tail detangler spray and that stuff always gets out the dirt and keeps it from tangling too bad. If you for some reason HAVE to have it near perfect all the time, then yes do a sleazy but I just don't feel it is fair to the horse to have that on all the time.

I have my hair messy at all times except for going out, and I am the same way with my horses. If they ain't going out riding anywhere, I just leave their hair alone unless I am grooming then I just only brush it. :D
 
#14 ·
I just braid and let them stay in for about a week, then take out and rewash, condition, and rebraid again. We have alot of wind around here, so to keep the manes and tails nice and tangle free, braiding is pretty much inevitable...Lol!
 
#15 ·
Well since it is sooo long and pretty and a little uneven, i would definitely trim it lol, but not much as all just to make it even, (i like things to be even) than i would put a sleeze hood over her just as a few people have already said.
 
#16 ·
I would trim it up a little to make it even (which also gets rid of split ends so it'll grow out healthier) and then shampoo and condition it really well. Then I'd either Show Sheen it or put some Cowboy Magic in it, then just band it to keep it under control. Braiding would work as well, but you have to be careful not to braid it too tight otherwise it'll irritate her and she'll scratch it. And she could tear whole chunks out by doing that, which would not be good at all.

She's very pretty, btw.
 
#17 ·
Thanks everyone for all your advice. No, APHA Momma, it's not that big of a deal. I love her mane and I've just never had a horse that had this much hair that needed more attention. I thought maybe there was a simple way to keep it clean, like a tail bag for a tail, that I didn't know about.
I wont' cut it, maybe trim as some of you suggested because it is uneven...but I love the length.
I don't want to keep her from rolling and I don't want to put a sleezy on (though I am thankful for the suggestion) because I do want her to be happy and enjoy being a horse. I aslo can't just leave it out because it twists up and makes dread locks.
If she gets dirty it's okay. I'm not THAT worried about it. I just thought if there was an easier way I would take it.
 
#18 ·
well- i am growing my horses mane out like that- i would wash it- and get some material and cut it into strips say 3" wide- and stitch or tie three of them together like /|\ then braid with those wrapped around the individual groups of hair that u would normally braid with-- i hope i am explaining this alright--- and yeah just tie up the ends and bobs ur uncle- u could get away with only doing like 5 in her mane that way they won't be tight and annoying :)
 
#21 ·
well- i am growing my horses mane out like that- i would wash it- and get some material and cut it into strips say 3" wide- and stitch or tie three of them together like /|\ then braid with those wrapped around the individual groups of hair that u would normally braid with-- i hope i am explaining this alright--- and yeah just tie up the ends and bobs ur uncle- u could get away with only doing like 5 in her mane that way they won't be tight and annoying :)
Thanks for the advice. I think I will try that. Good luck growing yours out!
 
#19 ·
I brush mine every day except when it's raining. I prefer not to brush a wet mane. (BTW - you stole my horse!!!! or maybe I stole yours. LOL)

Horse Mammal Vertebrate Hair Mane
 
#20 ·
I brush mine every day except when it's raining. I prefer not to brush a wet mane. (BTW - you stole my horse!!!! or maybe I stole yours. LOL)

View attachment 16188
LOL! I think your right! I've seen your horse before on here and I had to look twice! What breed is yours? I'm curious because mine is somewhat of a mystery.
 
#23 ·
Growing up with Arabs and Andalusians I am sick of dealing with hair. I pull every horses mane that I get. It is perfect if your a english rider and even the western horses look great with a short pulled mane. I would not brush it everyday, all you'll do is thin it out. If you don't like the old yank and pull way of pulling a mane the new 'humane pullers' work really good and give equal results with a lot less fuss.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I would NEVER pull your horses mane. I love how long the mane looks right now, a little trim would make it even better. Also it is soooo UNTRUE that brushing a horses mane everyday thins it out. I do my horses mane and tail EVERY and sometimes 2-4 times a day because it is soothing and their manes are soooo thick. I think a pulled mane looks to showy and unless you do show I truly don't see the point in it except for just taking the easy way out.

The longer the mane on the neck the better especially in fly season, so why take that from them? Plus I think it looks gorgeous and you can just do so much more with a long mane. Also, for fun you can curl it. :D I took a small spiral curling iron and did my filly's mane in little curls and it was just oh so cute. :)

This is my filly's mane and I am wanting it to get a tad bit longer, lol.
 
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