Shortening a super long thick mane

[Horsekaren]

The time has come for the plaits to go
His mane is far to long and heavy, it takes so much to keep and it must feel heavy and horrible for strawbs. I can’t leave his hair down as he will choke on it. He lives out 24/7 retired so I think now is the time to free him from his plaits.

can anyone guide me on how an earth I go about doing this. There is far to much to pull and his neck is sensitive. Can I lop the bulk off with scissors?

I want it to look like it did years ago
Pics of what time trying to achieve.

help!

 

[ihatework]

You’ll be able to thin and shorten that using a tail rake from the underneath

 

[PapaverFollis]

Blimey. Honestly if he's not going anywhere I would hack the bulk off with scissors then use a tail rake or razor thing to thin the ends a bit.

 

[atropa]

Yeah i would just use scissors to take the bulk of the length off to start with and see how you go from there?
Can i ask how often you redid his plaits when you were growing it?

 

[IrishMilo]

If you have clippers or trimmers, plait it to the length you want, use the clippers to trim off everything below the band, then use a mane rake to thin. Finish off by cutting it upwards with scissors to get the length evened out. I use this technique with Milo’s mane as he won’t tolerate it being pulled (plus I sort of refuse to pull manes on ethical grounds!)

 

[Horsekaren]

Yeah i would just use scissors to take the bulk of the length off to start with and see how you go from there?
Can i ask how often you redid his plaits when you were growing it?

I have to plait it at least once a week. It’s all fine in summer but come winter standing in gales trying to plait it isn’t fun lol

 

[Carrottom]

I would use scissors to cut it to about the the base or his neck and then gradually shorten it from there using a comb with a blade in it.

 

[cobgoblin]

I would just use scissors, cutting vertically along the line you want to achieve. Razor combs are very painful, I have never forgotten having my hair cut with them as a child.

 

[doodle]

Wow I wasn’t expecting that mane. I saw the top pic and thought it looked fine. How long did it take to reach that length?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't make it too short as we go into winter. He will need the protection that it affords from the weather.

 

[Gloi]

I have to plait it at least once a week. It’s all fine in summer but come winter standing in gales trying to plait it isn’t fun lol

I had a pony with a mane like that and he never came to any harm leaving it down all the time. I just plaited the forelock when we were jumping to be sure he could see. Leaving cob manes in plaits seems to be a recent fad.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

If you leave it unplaited it will naturally sort itself out.

 

[Horsekaren]

If you leave it unplaited it will naturally sort itself out.

I wouldn’t want to leave it lose as it is, it just goes straight down his throat, he has choked before so all I keep thinking it’s that horrible feeling when you half swallow something and half is still in your mouth. How will he get out of that with no arms lol

thanks! I think I’m going to get someone out to come and do it properly.

 

[Carrottom]

If you cut it to a safe length yourself and then trim it bit by bit you are more likely to get the look you want. Bear in mind it will be an on going task ?

 

[Carrottom]

Just had another thought - it might be worth checking if there is anyone who could make use of all that lovely mane, rocking horse restorers springs to mind.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Do feel for him having to haul that around all summer only for it to be hacked off in winter as the upkeep is too much effort! Must be heavy!

I'd plait then lop it off where you want it, then give the hair to a good cause. It will take a while to make the edge look natural, but you'll get there.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn’t want to leave it lose as it is, it just goes straight down his throat, he has choked before so all I keep thinking it’s that horrible feeling when you half swallow something and half is still in your mouth. How will he get out of that with no arms lol
.

I just don't understand this. My cob has a wonderful full mane very similar to Strawberry's, except that it is very dark brown, as is she. I only ever deal with it by running my fingers through it and picking the bits out of it but she has certainly never choked on it or attempted to swallow it. Are you sure that he choked on his mane?

 

[DottlebangBandersnatch]

Oh wow that is some mane! Mine wasn't quite as thick as that but I was tired of sitting on it so went for a chop. Didn't have any fancy gadgets like a solorake or anything. Instead we gave it a nice big wash and got it all silky brushing it with a hairbrush at the same time and not really caring how much came out (kind of encouraging it to come out actually as this was all the tangles and weak or dead hair) and then pulled it with a metal mane comb while slightly damp. I'm going to have to do it again soon and I'm not looking forward to that! Takes bloody ages

 

[Horsekaren]

he didn’t choke on the mane but he has choked on food before. I know it sounds silly but I’m the pic the wind was blowing it back, he had it down for all of 5 mins and I had to pull it out of his mouth. It worries me.

im wondering if I plait the tops and leave the ends (let’s say a foot) lose and the kept sniping with scissors and a rake when I took the plaits out it would look ok? I’m thinking the plaits will help avoid the blunt ends. kind of like the pic attached.
First world problems but I know he will be happier.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Seriously just chop it with scissors. It'll go a bit blunt but the bluntness goes as it grows out. Chop it a bit shorter than you want it to eventually be then give it a good brush every time you see him which will break hairs and thin out the ends. If you want to thin the ends a bit to start with and don't want to use a razor comb.... fasten into a number of bunches and chop with scissors "up" into the bunches ( so scissors in alignment with hair rather than at 90 degrees to hair ).

It's hair. It grows back. Even if it looks awful it'll start to look better in a matter of weeks. He doesn't care, I assume he hasn't got a mirror anyway.

 

[Nudibranch]

What PF says. Plus then go through it with a rake. They are really useful for thick manes.
Or just hog it.

 

[Horsekaren]

Ta daaaa
A work in progress but yah

 

[Horsekaren]

Ta daaaa
A work in progress but yah

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Something is tickling at the back of my mind.....am sure many moons ago there was a thread about Strawberry being for sale and loads of us though he was just lovely! Might not be your Strawbs but is was a roan and white cob ? If it is the same one glad he ended up with a lovely home (and mane!)