Mane Pulling

[Medalia]

My wonderful FABULOUS riding instructor (note sarcasm) has just announced that this season, I'll be in a billion shows. Not that that bothers me, I'm actually pretty excited, only the worst of it is, is that I have to pull an 11 inch mane to a 4 inch mane. Not too bad you say? I beg to differ, especially since it's nearly 2½ inches THICK.

So, does anyone have any tips for a fussy horse that HATES mane pulling.

belive me, If I would have known this was happening a long time ago, I wouldn't be asking this question Thanks a MIL!!!L

 

[Sarah]

hello!

Why do the shows if you don't want to? You don't sound at all keen so don't let yourself be bullied into it!

Wrt mane pulling, are you going to be plaiting the mane after you have pulled it? If so you will need to pull it the traditional way, but use scissors to chop it to about 6" long first to save having to pull too much out. if you don't want to plait it, try using a solocomb thingy which thins and shortens the mane (but leaves loose ends which make plaits look messy). you could try twitching your horse, or if your horse really doesn't like it, why not ride him in a few native classes that allow long manes (well they do in the UK anyway, I dont know what type of horse Cassie is).

bye!

 

[Myrmex]

If you want to plait after using a Solocomb or other razor comb, you can use hair gel to stick down the odd bits of hair and tidy it up. Razor combing is much easier on a horse that doesn't like mane pulling. Failing that, if you work the horse until they're hot and sweaty, the hair comes out easier.

 

[Myrmex]

Oh yes, and only pull a bit out every day - don't try and do the whole mane in one go or you'll end up with a really upset horse and very sore fingers!

 

[Medalia]

Sarah:
The showing topic: I LOVE to show, I'm not worried about that. It's just the prissiness that follows along with it.

Cassie is a Tennessee Walking Horse crossed with a Quarter Horse (odd combo, but GREAT mover). So I can't do either, since she's neither a TWH or A QH.

But thanks anyway! I'll take that into mind when going to do it.

 

[Sarah]

hello!

Sorry about my misunderstanding!

Cassie sounds like a lovely (if not very common) type of horse. Looks like you can't go for the long flowing mane look with her. Can you email me a piccy (just 'cos I am nosy!)?

I suppose you've just got to pull that mane, good luck!

bye!