How to fix a *very* bad forelock job?

[equestriansports]

So I decided to pull the pony's mane, got the YO to do it first with a pulling comb and he turned into a right pain in the rear. Kept turning his hind into her, throwing his head up. After about 20 minutes she gave up because she could see how upset I was getting and said get a solo comb and try again. Went off and bought a solo comb and gradually I've been doing it. The actual mane part looks quite good and I'm pretty proud of it - he was such a good boy and didn't really even throw his head about, just kept tensing his neck. Then my Mom came over and said 'well aren't you going to do his forelock?' so what did I do? Take the flipping solo comb to his forelock. He now has a fringe! I sat and cried because he looks so bad. My Mom just kept laughing, saying he looks like Friar Tuck and a freak! Anyway, lesson has now been thoroughly learnt and was wondering if there was anything I (more likely the YO once I tell her whats happened) can do to make him look more presentable? I'll never be able to show him because of his knees but just want him to look normal. It's so short and straight across. I understand it'll grow back though no use crying over spilt milk and all that. Thanks

 

[ester]

you need to do the sides shorter so the length stays in the middle

 

[FubsyMog]

Not a lot you can do about the length, but snipping upward into it with sharp scissors should help take the blunt look off it. My hairdresser actually uses a little blade on a handle to finish the ends of my hair for this reason - I have seen a similar thing for manes but never used one.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

I did the same thing to my hunter once with the solo comb! I threw it straight in the bin!!! Cut upwards with the scissors would be my reccomendation to try and make it look more 'natural'. It will grow back though

 

[equestriansports]

Thank you so much! My Mom was on about bringing the thinning scissors up and cutting the sides a bit so will hopefully do that. He's quite funny about the top of his head / ear type area touched. Just still can't believe I've done this to him! Not that he cares haha. Just hoping that by the start of next year, it will look somewhat better. Ah well

 

[flurryjuno]

I think everyone with a solocomb has made this mistake with theirs, I did except I panicked and it kept getting shorter and shorter...I felt awful Thin the bottom and next time take smaller sections, shorter around the sides or just take sharp scissors and cut upwards for a natural look

 

[diamonddogs]

Oooh - you've scared me now - I haven't actually done anything with the Solo on her forelock yet!

When I do her mane it's generally hack off with the scissors to about an inch longer than the required finished length, then feather the edge with the Solo.

Do you have to use a different technique on the forelock then?

 

[Princess Rosie]

Solo combs should come with a health warning! I'm yet to find anyone who has used one and not ended up close to tears at the result they've achieved despite their best efforts. Maybe there is a trick to solo combs that most people don't know but mine went back in its packet never to be used again. Sorry you've had this happen to you but it will grow out . X

 

[dalidaydream]

You just need to angle the solo comb from ear to middle of the forelock and you will get the right shape. I use the solo comb at an angle right the way through the mane and it gives a much more natural look. You also need to use a mane rake or it does get a bit thick underneath.

Incidently, you'd get pretty upset if someone came and pulled your hair out at the roots too so you can hardly blame him for not wanting his mane pulled

 

[equestriansports]

Very true - I think if someone pulled my hair they would definitely know I wasn't happy! It wasn't the 'pulling' part that he didn't like, it was the back combing. I did totally overreact though. Maybe my dream of becoming a groom wasn't entirely thought out

 

[Pinkvboots]

The best way to pull a mane and forelock is just pull a few strands of hair at a time or it will hurt the horse and they will react badly,I just do a little bit everyday it might take a week or two but its the kindest way to do it and then your horse will not have such a hang up over it and it wont be such a big deal, and try not to leave it so it gets really long and becomes a major job just keep on top of it.

Agree about the solo comb they are rubbish expensive too, scissors cutting upwards can work but it never has quite the same effect as pulling does although some manes can look ok done with scissors if they are not too thick.

Pulling the mane when they have just been ridden makes the hair come out easier.

 

[Fides]

Am I the only one who has horses who enjoy it? I do it as part of our general fuss routine in the field.

 

[wimble]

You just need to angle the solo comb from ear to middle of the forelock and you will get the right shape. I use the solo comb at an angle right the way through the mane and it gives a much more natural look. You also need to use a mane rake or it does get a bit thick underneath.

Couldn't agree more. I started with a solocomb with a horse that hated having his mane pulled, now I use it for every horse, it just needs a bit of practice and a mane thinner/rake! It is so much more pleasant for the horse

 

[dibbin]

I love my Solocomb Jazz hates having his mane pulled, as did my previous horse, so it's the perfect solution. As others have said, you need to angle it down towards the middle so it's slightly shorter at the sides. Cutting upwards with scissors will stop it looking so blunt.

I once cut my first horse's mane and forelock with scissors because I didn't know any better - it looked like a bowl cut, poor soul!

For the Solocomb sceptics - before and afters of Jazz's mane the first time I did it: www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?635924-Jazz-s-mane-before-and-after!