Mane: to chop or not to chop

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GingerTrotter

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What do you think?
Pro the chop = he gets hot and itchy, it's a bugger to keep knot free, it goes in his face, wrestling a bridle over it all
Con the chop = it's very beautiful! Useful to grab hold of in the event of an unplanned dismount. He looks like a shampoo advert when he canters.
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He would look alot smarter, I agree.
It's so thick it falls on both sides, I'm not sure how I can fix it so it only falls on the correct side?
 
GingerTrotter said:
He would look alot smarter, I agree.
It's so thick it falls on both sides, I'm not sure how I can fix it so it only falls on the correct side?
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I would do the lot, tail and feathers as well so much easier to keep clean in winter and I think it is healthier for the horse to not carry so much excess hair, I know it is not always the popular choice with people wanting the 'natural' look but if he was living in the wild most would be pulled out by brambles etc and would never become so long in the first place.

You will have to work a bit to get it falling on one side but most will if pulled half way, plaited, pulled again and trained over as you go, don't try to do it completely in one go it may take a month or two to get the end result, if you are patient by next year it should be under control if you stay on top of it.
 
He’ll look very smart and be more comfortable with a shorter mane. I’d do feathers and shorten but not pull the tail too.

I’ve tamed similar manes by back combing small sections as if you were going to pull it, but then cutting it to the desired length with scissors at a 45 degree angle. The result is surprisingly natural looking, and it’s not at all uncomfortable for the horse.
 
Tiddlypom said:
He’ll look very smart and be more comfortable with a shorter mane. I’d do feathers and shorten but not pull the tail too.

I’ve tamed similar manes by back combing small sections as if you were going to pull it, but then cutting it to the desired length with scissors at a 45 degree angle. The result is surprisingly natural looking, and it’s not at all uncomfortable for the horse.
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Yes, me too. I won't pull manes, I've got a good set of hairdressing scissors.
I dont think I can bring myself to touch his feathers though. He's the first horse I've owned with them.
 
Chop and going into winter I would shorten the tail a few inches too, but I like low maintenance as mines leave out all year and I don't have much time to groom or wash.
 
I find that my dark brown cob, who has the fullest, longest mane I've ever known is cooler under her mane during hot weather than where she isn't insulated by it. I do cut her tail to keep it out of the mud in winter. Her 'fringe' covers her face and keeps flies out of her eyes. So I am an advocate for the natural look but I would want to tidy yours up a bit and try to get it all the same length, so that it doesn't look so straggly.
 
I quite like his mane but I have Arabs and they have long makes and there tails drag on the floor so a bit biased,but with cobs I do like the clipped and hogged look I think it looks smart but not all cobs suit it.

I think it would suit him as his quite a compact little horse and his got a nice head, go for it!
 
I would chop going into winter but coming out establish a good routine and let it grow come spring. I know someone whose cob's mane is like that and he brushes all her hair daily to keep it manageable, but it looks incredible. Or, you can plait it up to keep it nice; the RS I used to attend did this with their traditionals, in a running plait.
 
My vote goes for keeping the mane. Wash it and do a Spanish plait to lay the mane on one side. On very hot days it only takes a minute or two to freshly plait up in the morning. To help keep knot free and stop mud sticking, rub some pig or baby oil on your hands, then run through the mane and brush.
Equally he'd look good with a trimmed mane and tail, but only if his legs are clipped too. Short manes on feathered horses are a slightly odd look in my humble (but probably, irrelevant) opinion.
 
😱 The Beast's hogged mane is like soft velvet!! It's lovely! I did head out without her usual breastplate on a couple of weeks ago though and there's a certain vulnerability you feel with a lack of something to grab.

I'd tidy the chap above up myself but wouldn't hog. Short mane, tidy tail, clean legs.
 
Whatever about the mane don't do anything with the tail. It's loreal worthy!
(I think I'd go with a Spanish plait for the mane)
 
mule said:
Whatever about the mane don't do anything with the tail. It's loreal worthy!
(I think I'd go with a Spanish plait for the mane)
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Without meaning to offend the OP that tail is filthy and would benefit from being shortened and possibly thinned out a little so it does not pick up so much muck and will be easier to wash regularly, I do not bath mine often but a tail as dirty as that would be washed every week to stop it becoming so stained.
 
be positive said:
Without meaning to offend the OP that tail is filthy and would benefit from being shortened and possibly thinned out a little so it does not pick up so much muck and will be easier to wash regularly, I do not bath mine often but a tail as dirty as that would be washed every week to stop it becoming so stained.
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A couple of washes should sort it. If the stains don't come out you can dip the ends in a bleach solution. It's no worse than people bleaching their hair. Once it's well conditioned afterwards it's fine.
 
be positive said:
Without meaning to offend the OP that tail is filthy and would benefit from being shortened and possibly thinned out a little so it does not pick up so much muck and will be easier to wash regularly, I do not bath mine often but a tail as dirty as that would be washed every week to stop it becoming so stained.
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In my defence I'm 8 months pregnant! So tail washing is the least of my priorities. Having a comfortable, cool horse is higher up the list 😊
 
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