Tidying mane with clippers?

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Jingleballs

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About 2 months ago my Y/O pulled a lot of C's mane to tidy it up a bit as it was constantly getting in the way when riding and he was getting really hot under it. It's grown a fair bit already and I need to take more of.

It's not only long but thick (he's a hairy coblet) and since I'm rubbish at pulling manes and he doesn't particularly like it I was wondering if shaving the lower layers with the clippers and then tidying up the rest of it by pulling/cutting would be a better solution?
 
No. I don't think it would work!

If you've finished with the show season, thin the mane with a mane rake every time you groom him, for say a weed - that way its gradual. Then perhaps use a solo comb to shorten it. Thats what I do with our bad to pull horses - it ends up looking like a nicely pulled mane - I just notice the difference if I try to plait it! In the show season I pull them properly at the start (ask YO again? perhaps pay her)
 
Thanks - I don't show him so not concerned about that - we mainly do riding club stuff. I've not heard great things about the solo combs and have seen them make a mess of some manes but might look into the mane rake.

Thanks
 
Def wouldn't use clippers - at best you will get a decent look for about a week, before the clipped layer grows and gives a mega mohawk look, worst it looks like crap from the start and then you get the mohawk anyway!

Thick manes are really tricky to keep smart and trimmed if you don't pull as you really need to get the bulk out of it. If you aren't bothered about plaiting then I would def use a mane or tail rake. Brush the mane over the wrong way and stand on the wrong side of the neck pulling the comb through. Little and often is the best way to make it look nice and maintain it well. Then you can tidy the ends when the mane is back on the right side with v careful use of scissors, or (easier and much harder to give a bowl haircut!) a solo comb thing. I use one of these which is way cheaper and I think it is easier to use too http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/Brand/S...a/Roma+Mane+Comb++Thinning+Blade_425-0152.htm You can replace the blades with stanley knife ones form a hardware shop too.
 
He will need to be plaited for dressage - why would the comb not work in that case?

Sorry for the ignorance - I've just left him au natural for the past 3 years so never had to worry about these things!
 
The comb will leave shorter lengths of hair as each 'trim' grows through, so because he already has a thick mane you will have a podgy short bit which then thins as you get down the plait. If you haul it in with thread then it still looks smart, but it is harder work than having a pulled mane. I only know this because I merrily attacked OH mare's super thick mane, and then spent all summer plaiting her up so I had the error of my ways really rubbed in!

Would your YO help you get to grips with pulling? I have now started pulling our mare's manes in prep for everything growing out and hopefully making the plaiting easier! I just comb the mane through and then pick a few longer strands, wrap them around a comb and pull down sharply. I have one like this http://www.horsebasket.com/metal-mane-comb-with-pick-97-p.asp as the longer handle makes it easier to get a good grip so you are able to pull the hair firmly and so give less of a sting.

If you don't want to do that then the mane rake is the best thing I have found, but it will make plaiting harder than it needs to be! Oh for a thin Tb mane!!
 
DON'T DO IT!!! my friend cut half of my ponies mane of when I wasn't there one day and it was awful! It just grows back upwards. Definatly another one for a thinning comb
 
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