Mane: to chop or not to chop

GingerTrotter said:
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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Fair enough I wasn't really getting at you it was more that if it was trimmed managing would be easier, I now see that you have done so and you will both be better off, you less work, him less weight to carry around.
 
be positive said:
Fair enough I wasn't really getting at you it was more that if it was trimmed managing would be easier, I now see that you have done so and you will both be better off, you less work, him less weight to carry around.
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I didn't take offence 😊 both horse and human are a little rough round the edges this summer. Haha
 
I hate long manes on anything. And worse - scraggly, long forelocks. Ahhhh!

He's a lovely boy and I'm sure he'll look super smart once you've thinned it out a bit. I'd recommend a mane rake - they're really good and give a natural finish. Trying to thin out with scissors kills my hand after five minutes!
 
SpringArising said:
I hate long manes on anything. And worse - scraggly, long forelocks. Ahhhh!

He's a lovely boy and I'm sure he'll look super smart once you've thinned it out a bit. I'd recommend a mane rake - they're really good and give a natural finish. Trying to thin out with scissors kills my hand after five minutes!
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Thanks 😊 I have a mane rake, it shall be unleashed at round 2 tomorrow.
I was worried to get rid of the mane as his breeding probably "should" be natural.... But I hated it too to be honest! It tangled up in his reins. Urgh
 
SpringArising said:
I hate long manes on anything. And worse - scraggly, long forelocks. Ahhhh!

He's a lovely boy and I'm sure he'll look super smart once you've thinned it out a bit. I'd recommend a mane rake - they're really good and give a natural finish. Trying to thin out with scissors kills my hand after five minutes!
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Do you I love my Arabs long manes and forelock there not thick and bushy though I might have to post a picture and try and change your mind a bit:p
 
Honestly, people wont admit it, but all that hair makes them hot and uncomfortable. There are soo many fat hairy cobs stood sweating in the field in the summer. They all seem to have issues with mites and/or mallenders as well, and I cant imagine how heavy and unpleasant the huge tails must be. I'd have the lot off! Well maybe after the baby, I wouldnt fancy clipping at your stage.
 
Leo Walker said:
Honestly, people wont admit it, but all that hair makes them hot and uncomfortable. There are soo many fat hairy cobs stood sweating in the field in the summer. They all seem to have issues with mites and/or mallenders as well, and I cant imagine how heavy and unpleasant the huge tails must be. I'd have the lot off! Well maybe after the baby, I wouldnt fancy clipping at your stage.
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He can't stand the clippers. I need to do alot more desensitisation work. I've only had him just over a year and he was quite nervy when he arrived.
But once he's braver I'll be clipping him in winter.... Not sure about his feathers tho as we've clay soil here and last winter his feathers seemed to be amazing in the mud! His skin stayed dry underneath them all. I had to oil them in the summer as he got some dry skin but other than that they seem very low maintenance.... So far!
 
GingerTrotter said:
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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Yes, i would chop, i love a tidy short mane 🐴🐴🐴
 
GingerTrotter said:
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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No chop, not that beautiful mane.



I don't like short manes, but love long ones, all my horses are left natural as nature intended.
 
Faracat said:
Before you chop... have you ridden a hogged horse before? I personally hated it so much that I will never get on one again.
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Me too I hated riding horses with hogged mane and vowed I would never do it to any of my horses (unless sweet itch). Not dissing anyone who likes them but personally I hate hogged manes.
 
GingerTrotter said:
He can't stand the clippers. I need to do alot more desensitisation work. I've only had him just over a year and he was quite nervy when he arrived.
But once he's braver I'll be clipping him in winter.... Not sure about his feathers tho as we've clay soil here and last winter his feathers seemed to be amazing in the mud! His skin stayed dry underneath them all. I had to oil them in the summer as he got some dry skin but other than that they seem very low maintenance.... So far!
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He looks great with a bit less hair, I agree about the feathers, if they work well for your horse, they are worth keeping on.
 
GingerTrotter said:
He can't stand the clippers. I need to do alot more desensitisation work. I've only had him just over a year and he was quite nervy when he arrived.
But once he's braver I'll be clipping him in winter.... Not sure about his feathers tho as we've clay soil here and last winter his feathers seemed to be amazing in the mud! His skin stayed dry underneath them all. I had to oil them in the summer as he got some dry skin but other than that they seem very low maintenance.... So far!
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I'd leave the feathers, I clipped my cobs 2 winters ago and never again. He got severe mud fever for the first time and it was a absolute pain! Pig oil on the feathers in winter, but I did use to clip them out at the start of every summer
 
SpringArising said:
I'm still confused why people are saying they refuse to ride a hogged horse, or hate it. What difference does it make to the way you ride?
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For scaredy pants like me, it is the thought of a lack of a mane to grab hold of when mounting, or in an emergency. I love the look of a smartly hogged cob, but as for riding one, not so much...
 
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