Does it matter what side the mane lays?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 December 2008
Messages
1,809
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
I've tried and tried for years now to get my boys horrible mane to sit on the right side, but it constantly goes to the left. It only behaved when he was being plated all the time for shows. Do people really care, il be putting him up for sale soon and I'm wondering whether to bother trying to tame it again!
 
I couldn't care less, and I can't say I know of anyone who didn't buy a specific horse because of its mane!
 
Not really, unless you're going to show him... Or go for the things in PC with a "Turn Out" section like the area Opens/ champs/ Gosling cup.
 
He used to be shown as a county level riding horse, and il be selling him as that / all rounder. Maybe I should try and make an effort with it then :/
 
I used to care SO much. I used to think it lazy if people didn't train their manes to the correct side.

Now I'm older and lazier and I'm training myself to be less bothered - I think I once read that statistically more horses' manes naturally fall to the 'wrong' side anyway! I'm sure there are more important things to be stressing about.

That said, sometimes you'll still catch me dragging it over to the right to plait up. Old habits die hard :( I just cannot make myself live with it..!
 
I used to own a massive Irish sports horse whose top line was so wide that he grew his mane both ways I could even plait it both sides ( a lot easier than trying to make football sized plaits on one side.No one ever noticed:D. I used to school him using the lay of his mane as an indicator of how straight he was going.
 
Mike007 said:
I used to own a massive Irish sports horse whose top line was so wide that he grew his mane both ways I could even plait it both sides ( a lot easier than trying to make football sized plaits on one side.No one ever noticed:D. I used to school him using the lay of his mane as an indicator of how straight he was going.
Click to expand...

I love the picture that this conjures up in my head ... maybe I can get away with the bottom half of my boys mane platted to the left and the top to the right next weekend, would certainly save me some hassle and might just distract the judges from the extra 'bonus' moves that we put into our tests :D:D
 
I like to get my manes on the 'correct' side, but i'm not too bothered.

My pony has a split mane naturally, one side goes left and the other right but its gone on one side under her rug! My ISH naturally has two manes as well, a very very thick mane on both sides of his neck, I pulled it thinner but it's just a bit of an afro so I plait it down, so might as well plait it on the right side! Oh and I can't see how that would bother anyone, all it takes is a night of damp mane tied over on one side and its tame enough :p
 
Ankerwycke said:
I love the picture that this conjures up in my head ... maybe I can get away with the bottom half of my boys mane platted to the left and the top to the right next weekend, would certainly save me some hassle and might just distract the judges from the extra 'bonus' moves that we put into our tests :D:D
Click to expand...

A sound plan there:D........Editors note from bob the nota cob ,dont smash their boards or letters cos they get awfully snikity about it ,hope this helps>
 
I think the only time it particularly matters, is when you are showing and all the horses are being compared e.g. all their necks on show or manes, so I think that would apply more for those who have their mane free flowing anyway like M&M classes and my haffy. If you don't show anyway then who cares!
 
Only if showing or probably any other time if plaiting up as well as you always get someone telling you your mane is on the 'wrong side' which can get a bit annoying after a while when you to keep having to explain that you know but don't show therefore don't have a preference.
 
I'm another "Dont' care where it falls" person. If he shows at County level, he'll be plaited, so it doesn't matter. If anything. I prefer plaiting a left falling mane, as the added height you achieve from bringing it over to the right makes lovely high plaits!

It is lucky that I am not bothered really. Alfs mane does something different every few inches. Currently left at the bottom, then 3/4 one way- 1/4 the other, then right, then left - and the top bit falls forward, then splits half and half! I have to hold it upwards to check its straight when I pull it...
 
Both my horses manes are on the wrong side and always have been. I honestly don't care! If we are going to a show obviously they are plaited on the correct side but instantly flip back over the next day. Honestly couldn't care less!
 
poiuytrewq said:
Both my horses manes are on the wrong side and always have been. I honestly don't care! If we are going to a show obviously they are plaited on the correct side but instantly flip back over the next day. Honestly couldn't care less!
Click to expand...

Oh good, this is what I do too! My horse's mane is on the 'wrong' side - personally i don't see how there is a right or wrong side? My youngster's mane also seems to be going that way too and, although I am trying to get it on the 'correct' side I think I am fighting a losing battle!
 
I show and my boys mane fell to the left. To be honest, all I used to do a couple of nights before was plait it to the right loosely, sprayed "strong hold" hairspray on it then popped over a snugly hood for those two days/nights and then the straggly bits stayed over.

When it came to plaiting up properly, providing you have a decently pulled mane, it wasn't an issue. Just hairspray any stubborn bits down and it lasts for the day you are showing.

I did try to train it over several winters using Spanish plaits but its all in vain. That's the way the follicles grow and you can't do much to permanently change that.

So, if you are selling to a show home, they won't care. There's all sorts of tricks of the trade people have to sort a mane out prior to a show. I've never looked at a horse for showing and written it off for how it's mane lays. That's simple stuff you can sort.
 
Last edited:
Purposefully layed one of my mares manes on the wrong side, she is a bit of a scratchy pony so when it came to plaiting up it would always have loads of short whispy bits. By having it on the wrong side when I went to flop it over I had a nice in tact mane that addotionally was super white :)

My geldings mane goes half on one side and half on the other!
 
I've got one horse whose mane grows on the wrong side and if I am showing (rare occurance nowadays) I just plait it over the right side otherwise if I need to plait her up for dressage and the like I plait it the wrong side. No-one seems to notice or if they do they haven't said anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top