Thick native manes and thumb injuries when spooking - help?

[mystiandsunny]

Hi,
As title really. Think shetland/fell type mane. Long and VERY VERY thick. Gets caught up in the reins/people's hands etc. Tried plaiting it last summer in a running plait whenever riding but that did begin to pull bits out over time so it's a little shorter now, but just as thick.

So - will it have to be plaited to keep hands (esp thumbs) safe when spooking or when running out at jumps? Any other ideas? Would long plaits pull less mane out? Can't have any more thumb injuries (at the count of three so far - one torn ligament, one sprained thumb, one broken thumb....).

Help?

 

[be positive]

I would look at how you are holding your reins, if the thumb is correctly on the rein and holding firmly it should not get caught up in the mane except on the odd occasion when you may let go by mistake.
If the pony runs out try keeping your hands up higher and possibly wider apart, it may help you to remain in a more secure position and also prevent the run out, get your instructor to help with this and look at preventing more injuries.

I have ridden many natives and cannot remember ever having injured my thumbs.

 

[mystiandsunny]

I would look at how you are holding your reins, if the thumb is correctly on the rein and holding firmly it should not get caught up in the mane except on the odd occasion when you may let go by mistake.
If the pony runs out try keeping your hands up higher and possibly wider apart, it may help you to remain in a more secure position and also prevent the run out, get your instructor to help with this and look at preventing more injuries.

I have ridden many natives and cannot remember ever having injured my thumbs.

Oops forgot to say, not all injuries to the same person. One to an experienced adult who was teaching her to jump bigger, one to small sharer, one to older ex sharer. I've not managed it yet, but there's still time!!

 

[naid pollyanna]

if you have your hands closed properly then the hair shouldnt really get caught in your hands or really the reins....so just check everythings being held correctly

also if its soo thick why dont you try to really lightly pull it...just a tiny bit from underneath to just flatten it abit but keep the length. would look neater too and not so big and bushy just a quick little pull and the problem has died down abit

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I think you need to lift your hands!
I've had several horses with long, thick manes (one gelding cut your fingers when brushing) but the only thumb injury I've had was when leading an Appaloosa, with a typical thin Appy mane who spooked at a bus and threw me against a wall.

 

[be positive]

Oops forgot to say, not all injuries to the same person. One to an experienced adult who was teaching her to jump bigger, one to small sharer, one to older ex sharer. I've not managed it yet, but there's still time!!

Oops they cant all be holding the reins too loosely can they

I would pull it to thin it out, unless you show as a M&M, it would prevent anyone else suffering injury, although I still find it hard to imagine, unless the mane has a mind of its own and is out for revenge