Pictures Thinning mane and tail without pulling??

ImmyS

ImmyS

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Sort of following on my last thread about showing turnout, I have had a bit of a play today at tidying Arlo up a bit as first show is in a couple of weeks. I used a rake on his tail and given it a chop as was on the floor and I don’t think it looks too bad? A bit more tidying up needed but it’s actually thinned out quite nicely and looks fairly smart.

His mane on the other hand is a whole different matter! I just don’t know what to do with it, it has shorter sticky up bits along the top of his neck, it’s SO SO thick and it lays the wrong side. What would you do with it? Is the only answer to pull it? Or are there other ingenious ways to thin it enough so I get can it into decent sized plaits? (Would rather not pull as he can be a sensitive soul)

Also how to people get the tail to look really level and blunt at the end??

Any tips or tricks welcome, as you can tell I am a complete dummy when it comes to showing turnout!

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I'd probably hog him, I didn't find a solution other than extensive pulling for F if I wanted to plait and that did mean it got better over time and he didn't hate it *too* much, just the top bit.

I did always stitch in, and use copious amounts of the strongest hair gel on offer in Asda :p as his was quite wirey and coarse but did at least sit the right side!
 
Love the tail. It would be a shame to hog, and harder work to keep smart.
If you divide the mane length wise so you have a centre parting, you can thin the underneth and not lose the length.
 
honetpot said:
Love the tail. It would be a shame to hog, and harder work to keep smart.
If you divide the mane length wise so you have a centre parting, you can thin the underneth and not lose the length.
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Yeah I don’t really want to hog him, I don’t think he’s chunky enough to pull it off, maybe in a year or two when he’s filled out more. Thank you for the tip! 😊
 
I'd not hog personally, rarely do I think a horse looks better hogged and I also don't like pulling. Also never worked out why there's still a wrong side-its not like we carry swords anymore ;) so the short answer, leave it on that side, thin it out, plenty of gel etc when plaiting.
 
You could try back combing it as if you're going to pull it, but then just snip with the scissors as close to the base of the hair as you can. Obviously won't be quite the same as pulling, but might thin it a bit? I did that with my pony as she hates having her mane pulled. She is also one with enough mane for two horses. We used to end up with golf ball sized plaits!
 
SpringArising said:
You need to cut that mane upwards with scissors, pronto!
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I know he’s rocking the bowel cut look!! I’ve just cut it to length as it was twice as long and then got fed up as it was hailing and windy 🙄 so yes it needs attention to say the least.
 
I don't like solo combs but F's now is kept well in check by back combing and cutting with scissors at an angle. It would be plaitable too just not quite as neatly as previously and I would have to take it a little shorter (but not too short so you can't plait it down).

This was a before and after, prob xmas?! just one quick go with scissors probably took about 10 mins and obv with no plans to go anywhere! I have got it a bit neater for shows. but I think it shows the improvement you can get with just scissors and a comb.
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To plait you need to forget about perfect numbers and just do as many as you need to with them as skinny as you need to.

This was our first ever time plaiting, by a fellow expert HHOer hence why I have always stitched ;) he had 14/15 plaits that day
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after some more regular pulling we used to get about 10 but then his mane looks more like this (no good for native showing!)
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I'm adding this one mostly to amuse you with the welsh face! but def fewer plaits some years on.

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End of photo spam, I do actually miss plaiting, that and tack cleaning :o
 
Going to upset a lot of people but I would let it grow to about 4 inches and not bother plaiting it treat him like a native cob keep it clean and well conditioned and it will look great
 
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windand rain said:
Going to upset a lot of people but I would let it grow to about 4 inches and not bother plaiting it treat him like a native cob keep it clean and well conditioned and it will look great
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This is what his mane looked like before, even when washed and looked after I just don’t think it looks particularly attractive, or does him any favours 🤔

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ester said:
To plait you need to forget about perfect numbers and just do as many as you need to with them as skinny as you need to.

This was our first ever time plaiting, by a fellow expert HHOer hence why I have always stitched ;) he had 14/15 plaits that day
17862_296601532931_6104573_n.jpg


after some more regular pulling we used to get about 10 but then his mane looks more like this (no good for native showing!)
10898256_10155256677300438_1148981726963513895_n.jpg


I'm adding this one mostly to amuse you with the welsh face! but def fewer plaits some years on.

1496664_10154000387785438_1957063613_n.jpg



End of photo spam, I do actually miss plaiting, that and tack cleaning :eek:
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Thank you for the pictures! Gives me an idea for plaiting. Love the photo at the end, Arlo regularly sports the same expression 🙄
 
ImmyS said:
This is what his mane looked like before, even when washed and looked after I just don’t think it looks particularly attractive, or does him any favours 🤔

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Yes its a bit scruffy like that but trimmed to four inches it would look lovely I personally don't like to see heavier native types with plaits it looks odd
 
Pull it using scissors. You get the same effect without the yanking. You back comb the same way you would with pulling but then snip it off. To shorten it yo just chop up into it diagonally so it cuts it without a blunt end. I refuse to pull anything anymore. My hands are knackered and I just dont feel comfortable ripping hair out.The scissor method gives the same effect without though

I'd also use the rake and pull the top of the tail more and trim another couple of inches off the bottom. To get it level and blunt I hold it near the bottom in a bunch in my hand and snip it off with wall paper scissors that have a big straight edged blade. I then drop it, rebunch and trim and stragglers a couple of times
 
My horse will absolutely not tolerate me pulling it (and I don't blame him). Even if his main is knotty he gets in a huff and refuses to let me touch him! I have to be really delicate - he won't even let me use a rake. Cutting it does really ache your hands so I do little and often. Or as Ester said, I'd hog him. I think he could get away with it!
 
clippers are also a good way to get the tail really neatly trimmed at the bottom. Hold it right at the place you want to cut, and let them do the work.
as the hair doesn't squirm around like it can with scissors it's really easy to get a neat cut.
 
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Leo Walker said:
Pull it using scissors. You get the same effect without the yanking. You back comb the same way you would with pulling but then snip it off. To shorten it yo just chop up into it diagonally so it cuts it without a blunt end. I refuse to pull anything anymore. My hands are knackered and I just dont feel comfortable ripping hair out.The scissor method gives the same effect without though

I'd also use the rake and pull the top of the tail more and trim another couple of inches off the bottom. To get it level and blunt I hold it near the bottom in a bunch in my hand and snip it off with wall paper scissors that have a big straight edged blade. I then drop it, rebunch and trim and stragglers a couple of times
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Thank you, I also do not like pulling so trying to avoid. Just never dealt with one with such a thick mane. I’ve had another go at the mane this morning and I think it looks better. Thanks for tips on the tail!
 
He's gorgeous! I never pull my manes...but to thin them I use a backcombing motion and then take a clipper blade and draw downwards, it takes some of the weight out of it without taking it from the root!
As for getting a sharp finish to the tail, take a plaiting band and tie it where you want to cut...then get some clippers and run it straight across!
Good luck!

Also if you struggle to plait it because of the thickness, look up "Fluffy dressage braids" on youtube and the video of a lady with a chestnut horse is a life saver! Plaits are easy and look AMAZING every time x
 
Phewww! Not a total hack job! I think the shorter mane is much more flattering on his neck.
 
Franks inched up after it was long (grew out a hog and then I just sort of left it!) posted pics on here and got told to take more off :D. But if I want it to sit flat it's better with some length to it to weigh it down.
 
his mane looks great now, should be easier to plait.....if he holds his tail up when he is moving cutting it straight across may not look level, mine always held her tail up a bit so i put my arm under the top of the tail , held the tail with my other hand to keep the hairs the same as they were when my arm was under the tail, then cut straight across, so then when he is moving the tail with be level... its really hard to explain but a showing person told me that many years ago. sometimes cobs keep their tails in the same place as they do when standing still so cutting straight across would work well. you just need to look at him moving....good luck and let us know how you get on at the show....even if you are not placed, if he has been a good boy you are a winner!!!!!
 
splashgirl45 said:
his mane looks great now, should be easier to plait.....if he holds his tail up when he is moving cutting it straight across may not look level, mine always held her tail up a bit so i put my arm under the top of the tail , held the tail with my other hand to keep the hairs the same as they were when my arm was under the tail, then cut straight across, so then when he is moving the tail with be level... its really hard to explain but a showing person told me that many years ago. sometimes cobs keep their tails in the same place as they do when standing still so cutting straight across would work well. you just need to look at him moving....good luck and let us know how you get on at the show....even if you are not placed, if he has been a good boy you are a winner!!!!!
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Thank you for the tips!! I’m going with zero expectations as it’s both our first show and he’s only a baby, if we just go for the experience then so be it, just going for a fun day out but will give an update! 😀
 
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