sensitive TB and mane pulling...help!!!

italylyns

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I have a gorgeous ex racer who is very thin skinned and throws his head around like a crazed animal if i try and do anything with his mane!!

I got a local lady in who has done my horses in the past and between us we just managed to tidy it up with a solo comb.

Even if i try and just trim with scissors he is having none of it lol

Any ideas??!!!
 
Just get him used to the feeling of having it brushed with a comb - that took a while for mine to accept as she anticipated the pull. Then introduce the back comb but keep hold of the mane (as long as safe of course). Once the head banging finishes release the hair so they get used to being rewarded for being quiet. Took a week or so doing a little everyday but my girl is so good now I can do it without a headcollar now. It does get better honestly - they're just a little special sometimes ;-)
 
Totally sympathise! My TB hates it so so much. I can brush his mane but that's it, the second I even consider back combing he go's berserk. This includes leaping forward and cow kicking, the general head chucking and smashing me into walls or fences. He really isn't keen on personal grooming :)
Last time I got the vet to sedate then x tied and just about managed. Now he's retired he's Au natural! And we are both very relived for it!
It was suggested I rub clove oil into his neck to numb it- apparently it works well.
 
I'd just get him used to the solo comb with short regular sessions, I don't see a need to pull a horse's mane when they find it unpleasant personally, as it doesn't really benefit the horse in any way unlike shoeing, clipping, other things they might dislike.
 
I have a TB mare who will not tolerate mane pulling at all, however many years of softly softly, try this try that. Neither will she allow scissors any where near. She will however enjoy strong combing with a narrow toothed comb which removes a fair bit, enough to keep it tidy anyway. Every one of her foals is exactly the same.
 
Pull one hair and my filly would go frantic, twitch her and tuck the handle in her headcollar and she'd stand untied all day long like a dope on a rope while I pulled and preened to my hearts content!!
 
Persevere with the solo comb, he will learn that it doesn't hurt and will stand still. You should be able to get the same 'pulled' appearance using the solo comb
 
It will be less painful after the horse has had exercise and is warm (or hold hot/warm flannels against the hair roots first

Teething gel rubbed in to the roots may numb the area if you get really desperate
 
Mix equal amounts of Oil of Cloves, Rubbing Alcohol and Water together, shake well and rub into the mane, it numbs the skin for a while making it less painfully.

As others have said, take your time, aim to take 6+ weeks to complete it, then you only have to pull a few hairs each day to keep it right.
 
Some of the comments made me chuckle!!

I would never try and pull it as i also dont see the need but at least a trim up with a solo comb would be sufficient so will persevere.

Never twitched tbh so not thought to try it?!
 
I don't blame him. Pulling manes is pretty cruel thing if you think about. Think how much leg waxing hurts! It's not even 'for his own good' or 'cruel to be kind' like some of the nasty things we do to horses.

Just get him used to having his mane brushed until he trusts you're not going to hurt him. You'll never persuade him it's 'Ok' and won't hurt cos that's a complete and utter lie! All you'll be able to do is convice him you're not going to hurt him.
 
My gelding wont let you pull his mane (and i dont blame him - although saying that my first horse a chestnut TB seemed to really enjoy it and would drop off to sleep while it was being done...)

Anyway, i just use one of the combs with the blade in (not a solo comb) so i can brush it though and then just take bits off little bit at a time, it takes an age, and i tend to do it over a few days.
 
my boy starts head shaking even with scissors, i presume in the past his mane was pulled and he didn't like it, don't blame him! i use a thinning blade and trim with scissors, i never pull, but i think he is sure i will! first i brush his mane lots to calm him down and normally he will stop shaking his head once he realizes it wont hurt. but i agree with others, just a little at a time, them perhaps a treat reward.
i also think a twitch is worth a try, amazing how much it can relax them.
 
I agree to an extent with some of the comments is you're assuming people are using old fashioned methods and an old fashioned comb and just pulling the hair out but some people seem to be missing the point regarding the solo combs for the sake of it!

A solo comb used correctly does not "hurt" and neither does back combing the mane. It may be a cosmetic thing and yes I do it because my TB's look like bog beasts when it becomes all unkempt and ratty and full of tangles.

It is however in my opinion important that my horses will allow me to do things without an out and out strop. I take my time and never rush a situation but I do need to be able to do things and touching them is not negotiable.
 
Sorry just a point re the twitch - be very careful as your boy is an ex racer. Many of them have had questionable experiences during their times in racing and mine for instance will strike at you with her front feet is a twitch is even produced. A neck twitch on the other hand though will just help her breathing slow and get her to relax.

They're all obviously very different and he may not mind in the slightest but would hate for you to get a bad reaction x
 
My ISH is a pansy when it comes to personal grooming, I trim his with scissors and then go over it with hairdressing thinning scissors. It took him a while before he realised it didn't hurt though!
 
I agree to an extent with some of the comments is you're assuming people are using old fashioned methods and an old fashioned comb and just pulling the hair out but some people seem to be missing the point regarding the solo combs for the sake of it!

A solo comb used correctly does not "hurt" and neither does back combing the mane. It may be a cosmetic thing and yes I do it because my TB's look like bog beasts when it becomes all unkempt and ratty and full of tangles.

It is however in my opinion important that my horses will allow me to do things without an out and out strop. I take my time and never rush a situation but I do need to be able to do things and touching them is not negotiable.

My point was that he clearly hashad his mane traditionally pulled in the past, it really hurt and now he's extremely suspicious about people messing about with his mane. I don't blame him!

The OP needs to convince her horse she's not going to pull it again. Which will take a long time and just lots and lots and lots of mane brushing ( gently). He'll gradually accept it's not going to hurt.

OP make sure he's warm and dry when you brush his mane aa they can get tense and sensitive when cold. My ISH is a right pansy and doesn't like touched when his skin is cold.
 
I just cut mine... People have said it looks nice/neat though, and I've been asked before how I pulled it so neat, so it can't be too awful a job!
 
If he freaks out if you touch his mane with scissors - why not grow his mane long?

Having a short mane on a TB is just fashion after all, not a necessity.
 
My mare would kill anyone who dare even think of pulling a hair. After a long while of getting her used to it being brushed, we've got the knack of 'cutting' it with a razor blade. Looks pulled, no scissors needed (sometimes it is the noise of them that they hate!). Only draw back is it stays very thick (mine is a TB x Welsh and has the welsh mane!). Had the mare 13 years now, and she'll never change.
 
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