Pulling Manes - Horse Forum - Horse Discussion Forum

striderrider · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2011, 05:21 AM

I often feel really bad when I pull my horse's manes. Some of them are fine with it, but then my other horses just go ballistic. I have tried everything with them- twitch, anbesol, it doesn't help much. They jump around and get snorty. My one guy even tries to bite me and he is totally fine when I just brush his mane normally. I am sure it hurts them, some horses just tolertate it better then others. So what does everyone do? Is it acceptable to cut the mane?

FEIJuniorBound · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2011, 05:25 AM

I was taught from early on that nothing looks as good as a pulled mane. Right or wrong, it's what I do! I am lucky that most horses I have ridden haven't minded it.

peppysan · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2011, 05:32 AM

I would say if your horse is really ouchy do it in incremets. Also the best time to do it is after a workout so the pores are opened up. The poll area is usually the most touchy, so take your time their, maybe just do a bit (figure on giving it several days.) Other alternative is I guess is tranQ. Most people that I know who pull the manes like doing it a bit every day, working from back to front. Done regularly it is easy to maintain...

horse99 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 02:02 AM

I am all about cutting the mane if necessary but only if it is done very neatly. It has to be done like how a hair dresser would trim your bangs. You can't just cut the mane straight across lol. Why put the horse and yourself through all that anguish is beyond me. My horse is not particularly good with getting the mane pulled so I trim it with scissors. It honestly looks fine, it's a little thick but I braid his mane for shows anyways and the braids look great so I say who cares?

striderrider · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

I am all about cutting the mane if necessary but only if it is done very neatly. It has to be done like how a hair dresser would trim your bangs. You can't just cut the mane straight across lol. Why put the horse and yourself through all that anguish is beyond me. My horse is not particularly good with getting the mane pulled so I trim it with scissors. It honestly looks fine, it's a little thick but I braid his mane for shows anyways and the braids look great so I say who cares?

ok I like how you think! lol