Mane Pulling 101: Techniques for Pulling, Shortening and Thinning Your Horse's Mane

Horse's manes can easily become tangled in the rider's reins and hands. For many disciplines therefore it is customary to shorten and thin the mane so that it stays out of the way. It may eventually even be braided or banded to give a finished elegant look for the show ring. Pulling the mane has been the traditional method for achieving this short thin mane. However, there are other effective strategies as traditional pulling which involves ripping out the hair from the root is considerably uncomfortable for many horses even though they lack nerve endings at the root of the hair. Sedation as a means of behavior control should be considered a last resort with the available options given below.

Some breeds of horses tend to have naturally shorter thinner manes while others may have abundantly thick and long ones. But, every individual is unique. The strategies for keeping the mane the ideal shortness and thinness may then vary. How short and thin does it need to be? This depends largely on whether you intend to braid or band the mane for shows or events. Manes that are very thick will be difficult to get into a braid. Likewise, when banded the hairs will want to stick out rather than lay neat and flat against the horse's neck. Too thin a mane will result in braids that tend to twist rather than lay flat. For most horses the length of the mane will be between four and six inches. Most necks look most attractive when the edges of the mane are in line with the base of the ear.

Maintaining a well groomed attractive mane requires weekly tending. When starting with a mane that has been neglected for some time, be sure to give you and the horse several days of short sessions to achieve the finished shortened thinner mane. If you have a horse whose mane is currently very long, it is advisable to begin by cutting the mane to a length slightly longer than what you will ultimately shorten it too. This will make the job easier. When working around horses it is advisable to use scissors with a rounded tip.

Once the mane is shortened to about seven or eight inches, you can begin to work on thinning it the desired amount. For this you will need a standard metal pulling comb. Start with a mane that is not recently shampooed. A little dirt and grime on the hair will make it easier to hold and keep a hold of. If the horse has just exercised and the pores are still open and warm it is also easier. Usually, they will stand more quietly as well. Most often you'll also need to stand on a stool or step. Be careful that is safe for the intended purpose.

After combing the tangles from the mane, start up behind the bridle path and take a few of the longest hairs in one hand. With your comb, tease back the remaining hairs. Then wrap the few you still hold around the comb. At this point, most everyone in the world yanks. There is no need to do so and it is that harsh yanking that upsets most horses. The horse has a natural reflex to let go of the hair from the follicle if pressure is maintained against it. Keeping the comb with the wrapped hair close to the neck slowly increase downward pressure on the comb and hold it there. In a few seconds, you will feel the hairs begin to give. They will then let go on their own. No yanking or ripping the hairs out required. Gradually work your way down the mane. Over a couple of days the mane will be of a length and thickness you prefer. In order to keep it this way, take a few minutes a couple of times a week after you ride and pull a few hairs to keep it in tip top shape.

Even under the kindest efforts some horses are still bothered by the pulling sensation. If this is the case, you have other options. For a thick mane, you may choose to use thinning shears. These scissors have teeth so that only sections of hair are cut. First have the mane nearly as short as you desire. Comb a section of hair and pinch the ends of it between the comb and your thumb to stand it straight up over the neck. With you other hand, use the scissors to make a cut half way down the length. Then make a second cut half way between the first cut and the ends of the hair you are holding in the comb. Unless the mane is incredibly thick, this will be sufficient to give it a thinner feel without a blunt edge. If the mane is extremely thick, you may need to start a cut closer to the base of the neck, however as these hairs grow out they will not behave when attempted to be braided. So long as you aren't intending to braid, this method may work for you.

Thin manes can be a challenge because they understandably do not need any hairs removed. But, simply taking a set of scissors to the mane creates a blunt edge which is hard to braid and is never even down the length of the neck. Further, it does not lie naturally on the neck. For these manes, begin as you would to pull the hairs gathering the longest hairs and teasing back the remaining. Then use a single edge of your scissors which have been opened up completely to 'razor cut' the hairs at the length you desire. Of course you can also obtain a stylists razor from a salon or beauty supply store for this purpose so that you are not handling opened scissors!

An additional struggle for some owners is unfortunately arthritic hands. The tension of the comb and the action of the scissors can be uncomfortable even in short doses. Several different thinning and trimming combs are on the market and can be used. You may even find your horse tolerates a particular method more than another. It is the finished result that is most important. If it allows you to do the job, your horse to take it as part of his normal routine, and you end up with a well trimmed elegantly displayed mane that is easy to band or braid, then you have a winning strategy to stick with.