How to Cut a Fjord's Mane

A Fjord is a type of horse that originated in the mountainous area of Western Norway. It is a short and stout horse that has a muscular body. It is agile and tends to be light in color. Owners use the animal for farming and riding because of its gentle temperament. Owners generally cut Fjord horses' manes very short so that they stick up straight. The horses manes are unique in that they have a black stripe down the center of them with two light layers of hair on either side. Owners traditionally leave the black part slightly longer.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Comb
  • Scissors
  • Clippers
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the clippers to cut the bridle path completely. This will remove the hair in the area right behind the ears so that the bridle will have a smooth place to rest.

    • 2

      Hold the horses ear in your hand and run the clippers along the inside of the it. Keep the clippers flat against the ear to remove hair that pokes out of the ear. Don't cut the hair inside the ear because it protects the horse's ears from bugs and dirt.

    • 3

      Hold the clippers upside down and run the clippers over the horses chin lightly. This will remove the long hairs on the horse's chin and neck.

    • 4

      Dip a brush in water and shake it so that it is not dripping.

    • 5

      Brush the mane up from the base of the hairs to the ends of the hairs. Use a comb from the other side of the mane to press the hair into the brush as you are brushing it up. This will wet the hair so that you can cut it evenly. Do this several times until the mane is wet but not soaking.

    • 6

      Comb the main up to untangle all of the hairs.

    • 7

      Plan what you want the mane to look like. The mane should be a gentle curve that goes from the bridle to the base of the neck. The highest point of the mane should be about 40 percent of the way from the head. Decide how tall you want to the mane to be at that point and make a cut through only through light layer of hair on that side of the mane. Use this first cut as a guide to determine the length of the rest of the mane.

    • 8

      Cut the mane toward the bridle, making each cut slightly shorter than the last so that the mane slopes toward the ears. Work to the bridle.

    • 9

      Next, work from initial cut down the mane toward the horse's back. Make each cut shorter than the last. Cut until you run out of mane.

    • 10

      Brush through the mane and cut any areas to even out the curve.

    • 11

      Repeat this process on the light part of the mane on the other side.

    • 12

      Comb the black portion of the main and cut it so that it is ½ inch taller than the light part. If your horse has a very thick mane, you may need to cut the mane in two thicknesses. Use the light line as a reference for the curve.

    • 13

      Brush the horse to remove any hairs that have fallen on its coat.