Mane pulling alternatives

S

Scribbles

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 August 2008
Messages
1,655
Visit site
My youngsters mane is looking very scraggly and sorry-for-itself, and could do with a good neatening up. However he hates having his man epulled, and is very nervous to even let you brush it with a comb now, so obviously pulling is out the question.

One I have gothis confidence back with allowing me to brush the mane - is there any other way I can chop it? I had a bad experience chopping my CB mane with scissors (a fantastic mohawk afro look!) so I don't want to risk that, although he does have a fairly thin TB mane, though that could just be grease!
 
Yeah solo combs are good!
laugh.gif
 
Don't personally like the solo comb but found a combination of a mane/tail rake, some thinning scissors and the odd bit of hand pulling does a good natural looking job. Found you paid for it later with a solo comb once mane starts to grow out all spiky.
 
Your right about the mane growing spiky! Forgot to mention that I only ever just 'trim' with my solo comb (doh). I'm quite lucky that my horse likes having his mane pulled
crazy.gif
.
The thinning combs are good too
grin.gif
 
Can't remember what the comb is called (might be the solo comb), but it has a blade in it. Comb down and then snip! Used on my mare, and friends commented on my topirary skills
frown.gif
No pulling required though
smile.gif
 
I use a combination of a solo comb and two different sizes of tail rake (medium and fine)
This is the only thing I can use on my youngster who has a fit if I try and pull a single strand of hair.
If your'e patient and do it over a period of a few weeks, which is what I've had to do then you might end up with something presentable!
 
I back comb as if about to pull and then just a little snip with the scissors! Gd for those that wont let you pull or thin manes!!
 
I don't like solo combs as they don't thin like pulling does. My TBx used to be nearly dangerous when I pulled her mane so I developed a stratagy
grin.gif
Clove oil worked into the roots (wear gloves to do this
tongue.gif
) then take a very small piece of mane (less than or abour 0.5cm), put comb at length you want to pull then wrap round and pull. It takes a while at first but it now only takes me a few minutes to do her mane and she stands beautifully for it
smile.gif
 
Why dont you try a mane thinner? Ive got a Smart Manes mane thinner and it is fantastic! My mare hates having her mane pulled and it is impossible to do so the 'normal' way so i use this thinner and it gives a lovely finish.
 
I'm not really a fan of solo combs, and would only use it as a last resort - but if you use them properly you don't get spiky bits! If you back-comb as if pulling and then snip at the top instead of pulling the hairs out then essentially you get the same result as pulling. They are annoying though, and you can ony do very small bits at a time.
 
If he has a thin mane, then I would use a solo comb to shorten the length.

I take a small section and back comb as if pulling then I use the blad to cut the mane to the desire length. You have to do it in batches over a couple of weeks so you dont have a chopped with scissors look.
 
On horses with really thin manes I use a clippler blade (the bigger one), in exactly the same way as a pulling comb but it cuts the hairs instead. It looks more natural than just cutting or a solo comb.
 
My boy hates having his mane pulled and being 17hh+ he just sticks his head in the air so you can't reach even when standing on something (and if you tie him up short he just pulls back til the twine snaps
smirk.gif
). Must admit I have given up trying to pull and I clipped it last weekend. I have a set of small Liveryman trimmers and I just neatened it up with those, made it the right length etc.

Now I am stuck because it's short but looks stupid still being so thick!
blush.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top