Best way to thin a really thick mane for plaiting

[royal]

Question in title really...hoss HATES having her mane pulled (pins you against nearest wall!) but its really thick.
As I'm hopefully doing a CHAPS showing class in the new year, I need to find a way to thin it so I can do lovely neat plaits...
I always end up with odd short bits if using a solo comb and then the plaits look 'bitty'...

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

ps. couldn't decide where to post this so sorry if its in the wrong place!!

 

[CrazyMare]

Mine hates having her mane pulled (as does her daughter, wonder if its something in the genes!?) I just twitch her and do it! I haven't found any other way around it tbh.

 

[royal]

Hmmm..to be honest, she wasn't much better when we twitched her...
wondering about thinning scissors at the very base of her mane...tho I guess thats ok done right before plaiting but when the cut hair starts to grow, we'll be back with the 'bittiness' again!

 

[Thistle]

I use a tail rake, you still get the bittieness but it's not as bad.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Ensure you've worked your horse well before you start pulling the mane, the mane pulls easier with less discomfort for the horse when its warm.

 

[thumperbos]

We use industrial type of thinning scissors if we don't pull our horses manes.
If you thin the middle section of the mane by separating it, it shouldn't affect the plaits as you'll have enough from the top and bottom of the mane to keep the plait in place. However, as said above, could become more awkward as it starts to grow out.
I have a vague recollection of clove oil being good for manes when trying to pull as it dulls the pain for the horse....perhaps someone could clarify that for me..incase I'm having a goofy moment?!

 

[CSYMolly]

Ditto the tail rake, mine only lets me use a solo comb to pull her mane which doesn't thin it so I use the rake and then the solo comb.

 

[saskia295]

[ QUOTE ]
I use a tail rake, you still get the bittieness but it's not as bad.

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too. Brush the mane over to the wrong side, then rake it (don't go overboard, it's quite easy to get carried away!). Then brush it back over to the correct side and solo comb to get the mane straight.

This is how I do my boy's mane as he hates it being pulled too and I must say, my plaits are generally pretty alright! You get a few stragglers but nothing a bit of hair gel wouldn't fix

 

[volatis]

Yeap, on the ones that hate having manes pulled I use solo comb and tail rake and my plaits look fine. I also when grooming them each evening just pull literally 2 or 3 hairs out here and there, to desensitise them a little

 

[royal]

Brilliant - thanks for all the tips guys, I've got to get a rake anyway for her tail so will give it a go!
Ginbins - yes clove oil is supposed to open up the pores, but to be honest I could put a local anesthetic in and she'd still play up!! It just seems to be in her head thats its going to hurt whatever....I've always been very gentle in doing it when I've tried, but she hated it from the minute I got her so wonder if someones tried to pull chunks out and really upset her

 

[measles]

I wouldn't touch it with a rake or solo comb as in my experience it makes a complete mess when it grows out. I haven found nothing that works like a proper pull and that may mean you need to be firm/twitch or sedate I'm afraid.

 

[kirstyhen]

I use a magnetic back pad on mine whilst pulling, found it worked completely by accident, but with the back pad on he is a dope; without he pins me against the wall and kicks out.

 

[Mickeymoo]

I used a rake and thinning shears on Mick and now he looks like a Punk Rocker - if any of you can remember them!

I like the idea of pulling a bit out at a time.

 

[AnShanDan]

I used to have a 14.2 welsh cobxTB he had a really thick mane, it went right over his neck too if you know what I mean, not just a neat line on the crest. He HATED having it pulled. I tried all the above at times, and in the end resorted to a) pulling a few hairs out when he was hot/sweaty/tired and b) doing loads of small, neat plaits.

The most I ever managed to pull from his mane was on bonfire night one year, and he was petrified and sweated up, he was so glad I was keeping him company he gave in and didn't try to kill me.

 

[royal]

Oooh...loads of food for thought there....she's looks like tina turner having a bad hair day at the best of times....
No amount of firmness makes any difference...twitching doesn't really help....think I may experiment and try pulling a tiny amount at a time...maybe just a few hairs a day or something....magnetic back pad is interesting, but Ive got to spend a large fortune kitting her out so think that one will be a beg/borrow if I can find someone with one!
Thanks again