ideas for very very sensitive 3yr old regarding mane & nose areas?

[cob&onion]

My 3yr old is really really sensitive when it comes to her mane area. I tried thinning it out with a blade comb no pulling at all and very gentle as shes a bit funny in this area, and she wouldn't tolerate it, she was running backward and even reared, tried to bit and striking out?! she will let me use a plastic curry comb or normal comb on it but as soon as i attempt to use two hands she gets really mad. Also she is the same with her nose area when i need to apply sudocreme on the odd occasion when she has been burnt and has rubbed her full face mask off. Luckily this has only happened on the odd ocassion as getting the creme on becomes a dangerous task!
I have done her forelock with no problems and she let me trim her feathers etc with scissors and is not bothered with me doing her tail.
Had her since she was 10 months old and has no past experience with mane pulling or nothing nasty involving this area or her nose.
She is very pink skinned so i do understand she is sensitive.
In the future am wanting to plait her up for shows etc but she won't even let me do this...........
Any ideas or tips?!?

 

[MiCsarah]

We use a cut throat razor to trim our boys manes and then a thinning rake to thin it out. Much better way to do it and looks really smart

 

[cob&onion]

Never thought of a thinning rake, never used one though. Used to having my TB who would stand there all day whilst having her mane pulled

Can you use a rake one handed?!

 

[be positive]

Thinning rakes are great I use mine on any that are sensitive.
You can easily use them with one hand.
sensitive noses are a problem i find that applying cream sometimes as part of routine and washing when they are not sore can help.

 

[hayinamanger]

Re putting on Sudocrem or Sun Cream. I've had lots of big, awkward horses with pink noses for many years, so getting this stuff on is essential. Usually do it out in the field as not enough hours in the day to bring them all in individually.

Safest and easiest way:- headcollar/leadrope on, stand tucked in under horse's neck on near side (same position as you adopt to put on a bridle) get a handful of cream (helps a lot if it is warm, I keep it in the sun somewhere) put pot of cream on ground, lead rope between knees. Hold headcollar gently in left hand, right hand with cream on under the chin and gently up over the nose. Gently apply the cream. Horse can't head butt you where you are, never stand facing them. They will stick their heads up and go backwards, just go back with them, gently rubbing it in.

Then get more cream and repeat from the other side. Most of them HATE it at first, but you will be surprised how quickly they get used to it. They soon let you do it without much fuss, you don't even need to take a headcollar with you.

 

[Kenzo]

Because she's sussed it out and no doubt rather sensetive to hair removal from her mane, you need to trick her a bit, when I say this, I mean comb, rake, comb, rake so you are using both tools, she will eventually tolerate the rake because she'll associate it with comb (or a stiff hair brush) if she's quite ticklish or over sensetive in her crest, make sure she's warm as well as there is less tug when the hair comes out, also comb the mane over to the other side and rake it, so then your taking the underside of where her mane normally lies, this will then feel like your just brushing through her mane.

It does work and she'll get less stressed about it all.

 

[cob&onion]

Re putting on Sudocrem or Sun Cream. I've had lots of big, awkward horses with pink noses for many years, so getting this stuff on is essential. Usually do it out in the field as not enough hours in the day to bring them all in individually.

Safest and easiest way:- headcollar/leadrope on, stand tucked in under horse's neck on near side (same position as you adopt to put on a bridle) get a handful of cream (helps a lot if it is warm, I keep it in the sun somewhere) put pot of cream on ground, lead rope between knees. Hold headcollar gently in left hand, right hand with cream on under the chin and gently up over the nose. Gently apply the cream. Horse can't head butt you where you are, never stand facing them. They will stick their heads up and go backwards, just go back with them, gently rubbing it in.

Then get more cream and repeat from the other side. Most of them HATE it at first, but you will be surprised how quickly they get used to it. They soon let you do it without much fuss, you don't even need to take a headcollar with you.

Thank you, will try this! she does normally back up and throw her head up but will try this method

Because she's sussed it out and no doubt rather sensetive to hair removal from her mane, you need to trick her a bit, when I say this, I mean comb, rake, comb, rake so you are using both tools, she will eventually tolerate the rake because she'll associate it with comb (or a stiff hair brush) if she's quite ticklish or over sensetive in her crest, make sure she's warm as well as there is less tug when the hair comes out, also comb the mane over to the other side and rake it, so then your taking the underside of where her mane normally lies, this will then feel like your just brushing through her mane.

It does work and she'll get less stressed about it all.

Some good suggestions, again will have another go in a few days thanks