Welsh Section D Mane/Forelock help!

[howat44]

Hi everyone.
Needing some advice.
My Welsh cobs mane and forelock are a bit wild (to say the least!) She has so much hair!!! I will try and attach a pic.
I’m just wondering, how would everyone tame a forelock and/or mane for showing? Should I thin it out using a rake or should it be clipped using a solo comb (horse in question doesn’t like anything being pulled, she is a bit sensitive), or would it be a scissor job?
Also, how does everyone separate the mane from the forelock? I brush it and then she shakes her head and everything goes everywhere!
Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[SpeedyPony]

If you're showing her as a native, I wouldn't do anything more than a subtle tidy up, she doesn't want to have a short mane for mountain and moorland classes.
As far as separating forelock and mane goes, once you have the bridle/headcollar on that should keep them seperate- you'll probably have to reseparate every time you tack up though!
I wouldn't take scissors anywhere near a thick mane, you're likely to end up with a bog brush effect, as the weight of the length will help it to lay flat- remove too much length and it will tend to spring up more.
You can lay a mane with water/hairspray/purpose made plaiting and setting sprays, but if it's very thick it might help to plait/band it and/or pop a lycra hood over the top the night before a show to train the hair to lay flat.

 

[howat44]

If you're showing her as a native, I wouldn't do anything more than a subtle tidy up, she doesn't want to have a short mane for mountain and moorland classes.
As far as separating forelock and mane goes, once you have the bridle/headcollar on that should keep them seperate- you'll probably have to reseparate every time you tack up though!
I wouldn't take scissors anywhere near a thick mane, you're likely to end up with a bog brush effect, as the weight of the length will help it to lay flat- remove too much length and it will tend to spring up more.
You can lay a mane with water/hairspray/purpose made plaiting and setting sprays, but if it's very thick it might help to plait/band it and/or pop a lycra hood over the top the night before a show to train the hair to lay flat.

Thank you very much! Just realised I didn’t attach any photos - oops!

 

[howat44]

For reference - said mane and forelock

 

[Gloi]

I just spit the forelock from the rest of the mane with a comb where the bridle sits. If I was jumping I split the forelock in half and tucked it under the cheekpieces so I was sure he could see. He had double the mane of yours so I wouldn't worry.

 

[minesadouble]

Most Section Ds in the ring will have had their manes pulled to an extent. I would definitely thin the forelock and probably the mane too. I would also cut a discreet bridle path which will be a useful way of getting rid of some unwanted mane. It's a shame she objects to pulling so you will have to do what you can with a rake. Take a look at some Section Ds from HOYS classes to get an idea of the finish you are aiming for.

 

[dorsetladette]

You need to be able to see the eye and shape of the head easily. I'd take a rake to the underside of both the mane and forelock and probably take a couple of inches off too with a solo comb. A shorter mane will give the impression of a deeper neck and show the shoulder better.

You can put a small plait in the top of the mane to help see the jaw line better.

you tube has a few videos of trimming up welsh cobs, but most are pulling, you can get the same natural look with a solo comb and rake.

 

[howat44]

I just spit the forelock from the rest of the mane with a comb where the bridle sits. If I was jumping I split the forelock in half and tucked it under the cheekpieces so I was sure he could see. He had double the mane of yours so I wouldn't worry.

Thank you!!!

 

[howat44]

You need to be able to see the eye and shape of the head easily. I'd take a rake to the underside of both the mane and forelock and probably take a couple of inches off too with a solo comb. A shorter mane will give the impression of a deeper neck and show the shoulder better.

You can put a small plait in the top of the mane to help see the jaw line better.

you tube has a few videos of trimming up welsh cobs, but most are pulling, you can get the same natural look with a solo comb and rake.

Thank you!!!

 

[howat44]

Most Section Ds in the ring will have had their manes pulled to an extent. I would definitely thin the forelock and probably the mane too. I would also cut a discreet bridle path which will be a useful way of getting rid of some unwanted mane. It's a shame she objects to pulling so you will have to do what you can with a rake. Take a look at some Section Ds from HOYS classes to get an idea of the finish you are aiming for.

Thank you

 

[dottylottie]

fellow wild welshie owner

i rake the underneath and pull with a solo comb, i’ll keep it plaited a few days before a show so it stays where i want it, wash and put a lycra hood on. spraying with mane and tail when it’s still wet helps take out a lot of the poof! and for her forelock i just run a bit of baby oil or megatek through it before i put her hood on.

i let her look feral the rest of the time though! it’s absolutely not worth the energy to keep on top of permanently, she looks like a bog brush most of the time but that’s how she’s happiest lmao