Pulling a (very) long mane

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Hedwards

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I'm probably going to sound totally stupid asking this, but if you're pulling a long mane, do you do it the same way as tidying up a shorter one?

I've just got my new loan horse, and her mane is very short at the bottom (over exuberant grooming from a couple of her old field mates) and very very long elsewhere - i think she'll look much better (and feel cooler) with a pulled mane, however, i have always kept my previous horses mane's short from the start (all TBs with wispy pathetic manes that looked ridiculous if left long) and now i have a cob x with a thick mane and i'm not sure how to go about it....

I'll probably try and use a solo comb but do i still work from the underneath? or am i better cutting it so its a bit shorter with scissors and then pulling it as normal? (God i'm so embarrassed asking this question - i've been looking after horses for over 20 years - i should know this!)

Thanks in advance (there will be before and after photos later!)
 
I would shorten it with the solo comb.

If it is very thick, try a mane & tail rake first to thin it out a bit. You brush over to off side, and then just rake it through. then tidy up what is left e.g. of want to shorten further, use the solo comb.
 
depends how thick it is, and how high her pain threshold is, imho! with a horse that doesn't mind its mane being pulled, i'd pull it properly. but if she really feels it and objects, i'd use scissors to lose most of the length (to an inch or so longer than final desired length) followed by a tail rake or solocomb. i usually do it this way now.
 
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i would solo comb the length off and then pull as normal....

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Same here if it's a thick mane. I think you might find it difficult to pull if you cut it - I find pulling easiest when the mane isn't all exactly the same length - as it allows you to pull the longest strands out first, and they all get progressively shorter. If you solo comb, you can get the slight variation in length quite easily, and then pull it to the thickness you want.
 
Thanks everyone, i'll shorten with the solo comb and then pull with the comb too, as i have a feeling i'm going to be quite hot and uncomfortable tonight so think pulling by hand (my preferred way with my old mare who used to rather enjoy it) might get a bit difficult! her mane isnt too thick so not sure i'll need the rake.

Glad i wasnt totally off track!
 
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