Mane help required!

[happihorse]

When I plait my horses up, the plaits always seem to short and fat, however many plats I do! I think the problem stems from pulling their manes, as they get too short when I pull them to the required thickness. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get a reasonably long mane (ie 5 inches) that is fairly thin?

Also, what does everyone else do with the bit of mane just in front of the withers where rugs rub it to very short wiry hair? I tried plating it but it seems to come loose when the horses put their heads down!

 

[anonmouse]

I got told baby oil makes a big difference. My pony now has a lovely soft straight mane, it used to be sticking up and rough. She will plait well and they tend to stay better

 

[Capriole]

try trimming the pointless bit off if you cant plait it, dont go to far though as it can make horse look short in the neck if you take too much.
.when you are pulling you are taking all the long hairs out, try sorting the longer hairs then pulling out the shorter hairs instead, or if your mane is long but not thick, use a comb to break off the hair at the right level rather than pulling any out