| While a long, flowing mane is beautiful, for many riders | | | | tangle free. Don't fret if you pull out some hair - this will |
| it is more of a hassle that it is worth. Often showing a | | | | only thin the mane and make it easier to manage. |
| horse requires a pulled mane. Others prefer the look of | | | | Starting from the top of the mane take sections |
| a trim, tidy mane. Even a natural mane can use some | | | | around 2" wide and grasp the longest hairs at the |
| pulling to keep it neat. Whatever your reason, it is a | | | | bottom. Tease up the remaining hair until you have only |
| smart idea to learn how to pull your horse's mane. | | | | a few hairs left in your grasp. |
| Most horses don't mind having their manes pulled. | | | | Wrap the hairs around the comb so that they make a |
| Horses do not have nerve endings at the roots of their | | | | full rotation around the spine of the comb. You should |
| hairs, so unlike humans, they do not feel pain when the | | | | still grip the ends of the hair in your fingers. Now pull the |
| hair is pulled out. Most horses who react to having their | | | | hairs with the comb, using the back of the spine as |
| manes pulled are uncomfortable with the feeling of | | | | leverage. Most of the hairs will pull out from the root, |
| having the mane teased up as a part of the process, | | | | but some will break. This is fine - the hairs removed |
| or don't like having their neck pulled on. If your horse | | | | from the root will thin the mane, while the ones that |
| does not like having his mane pulled, it would be a good | | | | break will help keep some body. |
| idea to discuss using a tranquilizer with your vet before | | | | Be sure to only take a few hairs at a time. Too many |
| attempting to pull his mane. | | | | hairs will be hard to pull, and will only irritate your horse. |
| Depending on your purpose, a mane can be pulled into | | | | It is better to take your time than to rush by trying to |
| various lengths and styles. Horses showing in the | | | | pull too many hairs at a time. |
| english disciplines generally have their manes pulled to | | | | Repeat this process all the way down the mane. |
| 4"-6" in length for braiding purposes. Some western | | | | Generally it is best to only pull 2-3" at a time as any |
| disciplines also require manes to be pulled to similar | | | | more can cause irritation to your horse. To keep the |
| lengths to make them easier to band. Breed shows | | | | mane even it is helpful to comb the mane smooth on a |
| often require natural manes, but expect that mane to | | | | regular basis, holding the hair flat to the horse's neck to |
| be "shaped" into the classic "natural" shape. Pulling can | | | | check on your progress. |
| be used to maintain that shape without an unnatural | | | | It may take several sessions to get the mane to the |
| cut appearance. Often horses who are not showing | | | | proper length. Be patient and make sure that you start |
| are kept with manes pulled to keep them tidy with | | | | the process well before you need to have it fully pulled. |
| lengths varying from 6"-16" long. | | | | Even the most experienced mane pullers often find |
| To pull your horse's mane, you will need a pulling comb. | | | | that the mane needs touching up after being left for a |
| This is a 4" long metal comb with short teeth. Some | | | | day or two. As with all skills, practice makes perfect. |
| pulling combs have handles, while others only have the | | | | Keep working on it, and soon you will be able to |
| comb. It is purely a matter or personal preference | | | | maintain your horse's mane at the perfect length for |
| which type you use. | | | | your discipline. |
| Before you begin, comb the hair so that it is flat and | | | | |