Long mane maintenance

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zoon

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I recently bought a new Spaniard and would love for him to have the long Spanish mane. His has been a bit neglected and came as dreadlocks. Sorting it out has meant it has had to become shorter and thinner to get all the tangles out.

How do people with horses with long manes grow them long and maintain them that way? How do you keep them clean and tidy over winter if your horse lives out?
 
Occasionally get the conditioning spray out and give her a good brush! I will often chop it back for winter because it's heavy and grows so fast its back for showing season.
 
Mine was already long but I do a running plait to keep it out of the way which is covered by fly rug. Brush out once a week with cowboy magic then replait making sure the parting are in a different place.

Its actually far too long now. I wasn't trying to grow it just keep her cool and stop her eating it. I've shortened it a little with the solo comb.

I guess if you're looking to grow it a well balanced diet with protein and a good balancer, maybe oily herbs too.
 
I just mostly leave it alone. Occasionally untangle the leaves, twigs and small woodland creatures that appear in it. If I am going to brush it out, I always user a detangler spray to avoid breaking too many hairs and do a lot by hand first. I don't use a neck cover.
 
I have a Highland and a PRE and I don't do a lot with their manes. My Highland's sharer brushes his regularly, and it looks great. I look at the PRE's mane, think, "eh, I should brush that,' and then I don't.
 
Shetlands mane is down to her knees. Just brush it out occasionally and give it a wash and condition when warm. Also running plait if really hot. Its white and seems to keep itself pretty clean.
She is never rugged which helps.
 
Beausmate said:
I just mostly leave it alone. Occasionally untangle the leaves, twigs and small woodland creatures that appear in it. If I am going to brush it out, I always user a detangler spray to avoid breaking too many hairs and do a lot by hand first. I don't use a neck cover.
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This, I was always told to avoid brushing it if possible. I find plaiting leads to breakage as well. Screenshot_20250225-183121-531.pngScreenshot_20250517-144800-068.pngThats said my mane care probably isn't optimal as I'm a bit lazy. I do plait to ride in summer for ventilation as it's so thick and I put two plaits in the longest bits in winter as otherwise they turn to dreadlocks when she rolls.
 
Brush it occasionally, maybe every 10 days or so using a soft hairbrush with some de tangler and keep it braided the rest of the time. My PREs mane is down to his knees and is in good condition. It has a shampoo once or twice a year.
 
I lightly brush my cob’s mane daily and use conditioner weekly to keep on top of it so I’m not having to really give it welly, which would cause breakage. Nip the tangles in the bud and you’re all good, easier in the long run. I also do individual plaits on hot days (25°C+) to keep her cool and ventilated, and a running plait when seriously riding so rein aids aren’t obstructed. Other than that, leave it to do its thing and it’ll grow nicely.

(That said, I do sometimes miss the odd day of brushing when busy and it’s not an issue).

(Photo was from a few months ago when she had feathers)
IMG_0519.jpeg
 
zoon said:
I recently bought a new Spaniard and would love for him to have the long Spanish mane. His has been a bit neglected and came as dreadlocks. Sorting it out has meant it has had to become shorter and thinner to get all the tangles out.

How do people with horses with long manes grow them long and maintain them that way? How do you keep them clean and tidy over winter if your horse lives out?
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I use baby oil, pig oil and take time combing, and also keep it clen as then easier to comb along with conditioner, cowboy magic, mane even conditioner and hair grower etc. I also use a neck cover as my horses love the scratching trees, and their mane get caught and ripped out on the trees. I use a mane guard from bossy bibs to stop rugs chaffing and clean the neck cover once a week.
 
HaplessHorse said:
I lightly brush my cob’s mane daily and use conditioner weekly to keep on top of it so I’m not having to really give it welly, which would cause breakage. Nip the tangles in the bud and you’re all good, easier in the long run. I also do individual plaits on hot days (25°C+) to keep her cool and ventilated, and a running plait when seriously riding so rein aids aren’t obstructed. Other than that, leave it to do its thing and it’ll grow nicely.

(That said, I do sometimes miss the odd day of brushing when busy and it’s not an issue).

(Photo was from a few months ago when she had feathers)
Click to expand...
I thought "Cellar Door" was a strange name for a horse, unless you are a Donnie Darko fan? Or do you actually have a cellar on your yard? Carrot storage? Or wine for after those more 'interesting' rides? Or just being very cryptic? 🙃
 
I used to dutch plait my connie’s long mane as well as brushing it every day! That seemed to protect it.

Also I tried to avoid rugs with necks wherever possible.
 
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