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Trimming manes

3K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  hotreddun 
#1 ·
I was wondering what everyone here does with their horse's manes. Do you pull it? Do you cut it? What if any tools do you use? How long do you keep it?
 
#2 ·
For Hunter & Equitation horses who have to be braided we pull the manes and keep them about a hands width long. Jumpers can stay a bit longer and if they have thin manes you can cut it carefully. Pulling is usually your best bet. It's easier to end up with a natural looking mane. The length totally depends on what type of shows you do with your horse.
 
#4 ·
Okay, so I:
- Pull manes for the hunters & equitation horses. I use a small metal mane comb and keep them about a hands width long.
 
#6 ·
I cut their manes, but it looks like it's pulled. My Arab and TB won't tolerate pulling and my Canadian's mane is too thick to pull. It takes a week, literally. I use a metal comb and tease the hair like I was going to pull it and then take the scissors, angle them from the bottom left to the top right and snip. Looks completely natural.
 
#8 ·
I cut my horses mane. I hate pulling - and I learnt this great trait by my previous coach, who - trained under George Morris. If it wasn't for her who showed me this trick, I would never of been hired to take care of all the Fox Hunters horses manes, and been hired to braid horses manes for shows and comps.

It takes allot of time, and patience - but when you are done - it looks just as nice, if not better, than a pulled mane. Your horse will be the happier too.

I will cut it horizontally from poll to withers. Make it about a hands width *pinky finger to thumb* Takes a few times to get it all even, while I comb it out before I cut and directly after I cut. Allot of combing.

Then I take little bunches, starting from his Poll, in my fingers - and cut the bottom of his mane vertically. This makes the ends look natural, not all cut bluntly.

Then I take my thinning sheers, part his mane and thin out the under layer of his mane.

Remember, allot of combing - and do not do this with a wet mane. It must lay naturally.

Before:





The after shot isn't that great, his mane grew out some after I cut it - but you get an idea.

 
#11 ·
This is one reason I like Fjords, the mane can be so fun! I seen dragons and castles, just so much variety!
Otherwise, if I was showing, it would depend on breed and the horse in particular. For example, a Canadian I would leave natural, maybe thin a bit with shears but no shortening. A QH I would likely pull (or just shorten with a solo comb). But like i said, it depends on the horse too, his personality might make me do something different.
 
#17 ·
I always cut with scissors, and then cut upwards into the hair afterward. You can't tell it wasn't pulled, it's a lot faster, and my horse doesn't lose any mane thickness! The ONLY time I pull is if the mane is too thick. Otherwise I cut and no one's the wiser. ;)
 
#19 ·
I always cut with scissors, and then cut upwards into the hair afterward. You can't tell it wasn't pulled, it's a lot faster, and my horse doesn't lose any mane thickness! The ONLY time I pull is if the mane is too thick. Otherwise I cut and no one's the wiser. ;)
I agree :)
Gah, I hate pulled and cut manes!! I love natural. I think short manes look disgusting, (no offense guys!). I would even rather a hogged mane over a pulled mane. :/
I love natural manes as well, but when you are competing, you probobly would want to go with a shorter, clean, even, thinner mane so that you can braid - makes the braiding allot easier.

It's hard to button braid a natural, long mane for a Dressage Show or for a Hunter/Jumper show.

If you aren't required to braid, then by all means :) I do agree, natural manes are lovely.
 
#20 ·
I cut. I have never pulled a mane...I don't have the patience. I honestly don't think anyone ever notices because they always comment how it looks good. I've never even confessed to my trainer I cut. I'm a closet cutter. :) And I have to disagree with you FireEyes...my horse honestly does look better with a short mane. I would really have to dig to find some pics of him with a long mane...but I might try to show you.
 
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