Mane management

[Boughtabay]

Hi, I’ve had a look through previous posts & not seen a similar thread.

I have a PRE fusion (1/4 Welsh) with a lovely (in dry weather) long flowing mane. The breeder heavily hinted it’d be a shame to shorten it. Its like a muddy birds nest now he’s out 24/7!

Should I keep it? If I show him as a Welsh PB (low level, local) he’d have to have it down, he’s not the type to plait in buns and I don’t think a running plait is appropriate for WPB. I’m not sure what else I could show him as or whether the long flowing mane should be kept for other classes? I’m more used to the trimmed look & often think that makes the neck look stronger so as much as I like his perm, it’s different & I’m not sure what to do with it!

 

[meleeka]

I think he’d need to be plaited as a part bred anyway, unless Welsh’s are different to other part bred natives? It’s usually only pure breads that have it loose.

 

[Boughtabay]

I think he’d need to be plaited as a part bred anyway, unless Welsh’s are different to other part bred natives? It’s usually only pure breads that have it loose.

I *think Welsh PB are plaited depending on type/choice.. but I haven’t showed anything in a long time so might be wrong.

 

[Boughtabay]

Too late to edit but shown* not showed (surely..?) woops.

 

[teddypops]

I think he’d need to be plaited as a part bred anyway, unless Welsh’s are different to other part bred natives? It’s usually only pure breads that have it loose.

I plait my Welsh D x TB

 

[teddypops]

Hi, I’ve had a look through previous posts & not seen a similar thread.

I have a PRE fusion (1/4 Welsh) with a lovely (in dry weather) long flowing mane. The breeder heavily hinted it’d be a shame to shorten it. Its like a muddy birds nest now he’s out 24/7!

Should I keep it? If I show him as a Welsh PB (low level, local) he’d have to have it down, he’s not the type to plait in buns and I don’t think a running plait is appropriate for WPB. I’m not sure what else I could show him as or whether the long flowing mane should be kept for other classes? I’m more used to the trimmed look & often think that makes the neck look stronger so as much as I like his perm, it’s different & I’m not sure what to do with it!

It’s your horse so your decision. The breeder doesn’t have a say! Welsh part breds are usually plaited although at local level it wouldn’t matter.

 

[silv]

It’s not the breeder‘s decision, enjoy your horse.

 

[Boughtabay]

I think he was more getting at how traditionally Andalusians keep their mane & pointing out he is gifted with a very nice natural wave. Nice chap, very enthusiastic. But I’m not sure on proper turn out for him as a Spanish PB, especially if I entered any other classes. Would I be ruining “the look” by chopping it shorter. It is very nice but he’s an expert at weaving it into a muddy mess at the moment.

I guess I’ll give it a trim in spring & it can grow by the summer shows if it’s a disaster.

 

[spotty_pony]

Up to you what you do but what sort of management do you do with at the moment? Our Friesian’s is always in plaits. I redo them roughly every 5 days. I never brush it unless it’s been washed. In the summer it gets washed and conditioned probably about every 2-3 weeks too.

 

[HannahB]

Can you turn him out in a light rug with neck? Or find a way of just having the neck on? Only reason I don't do this with my cob is her mane tends to get rubbed down if she wears a neck...

 

[Nudibranch]

I show my Dales so need a natural (ie long) mane. I find the key is to completely leave it alone, bar the very occasional light brush through if there is a major tangle or mud patch. Apart from the fact that I'm just not into My Little Pony activities, it's the best way to keep it long, thick and healthy. I only use those wide spaced brushes that look like a human hair brush. It only gets washed before a show. I would never plait it, as not only do I dislike wavy manes and it's definitely not breed standard, it must be fairly uncomfortable to be in continual plaits and takes away some of their natural defence against rain, flies, etc.

 

[stangs]

If you want it short, trim it. What's the worst that can happen? It's not like it won't grow back.

 

[meleeka]

I think he was more getting at how traditionally Andalusians keep their mane & pointing out he is gifted with a very nice natural wave. Nice chap, very enthusiastic. But I’m not sure on proper turn out for him as a Spanish PB, especially if I entered any other classes . Would I be ruining “the look” by chopping it shorter. It is very nice but he’s an expert at weaving it into a muddy mess at the moment.

I guess I’ll give it a trim in spring & it can grow by the summer shows if it’s a disaster.

I’m pretty sure any part bred anything should be plaited so I wouldn’t worry if you want it shorter.

I have two with long mains. They don’t get brushed unless washed and I tease the wind knots out with my fingers when needed. One of them has a mane almost to her knees and she’s 16hh!

 

[littleshetland]

My PREs mane is now reaching his knees. I cant quite bring myself to shorten it, part of me wants to see how long it will actually get. I keep it braided 99% of the time, and its still a muddy mess, but in the summer, after its been washed - it looks fabulous!

 

[Boughtabay]

Up to you what you do but what sort of management do you do with at the moment? Our Friesian’s is always in plaits. I redo them roughly every 5 days. I never brush it unless it’s been washed. In the summer it gets washed and conditioned probably about every 2-3 weeks too.

absolutely nothing that why it got in a state, he was self “plaiting” it when he rolled in the field! I might try plaiting when he starts work so that it’s out of the way/I don’t have to brush it out all the time.

 

[Boughtabay]

My PREs mane is now reaching his knees. I cant quite bring myself to shorten it, part of me wants to see how long it will actually get. I keep it braided 99% of the time, and its still a muddy mess, but in the summer, after its been washed - it looks fabulous!

it is very pretty so I might have to just grin and bear the winter for the sake of the summer … it’s good natural protection from the weather too that my sports horse doesn’t have the benefit of!!