How to Thin and Cure the Mane of a Horse

A ratty, unkempt mane can make even a beautiful horse appear unattractive. If you're planning on selling or showing a horse, it needs to look its best, so take the time to get its mane cleaned up. Thinning a mane is traditionally done by a method known as "pulling" because it creates a much more natural look than using scissors would. A mane that won't lie properly can often be cured by rubber-banding sections or using a neck covering. Even if you want to keep your horse's mane long and flowing, thinning it will help keep it from getting tangled and out of control.

Things You'll Need

  • Pulling comb or humane pulling comb
  • Small rubber bands
  • Brush
  • Sleazy or spandex neck covering
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Instructions

  1. Pulling a Mane

    • 1

      Tie your horse, using a quick-release knot in case the horse objects to the mane-pulling process.

    • 2

      Trim the mane if it's excessively long to a length that's about half-an-inch longer than you'd like the mane to finally appear.

    • 3

      Take a small section of mane hair, about two inches in width, in one hand. With the other hand, select about six of the longest hairs; fewer if you're inexperienced at pulling a mane or your horse is sensitive.

    • 4

      Hold onto the long hairs; then with the other hand, back-comb the rest of the mane up and out of the way.

    • 5

      Loop the long hair around the pulling comb and tug sharply and swiftly to pull out the hair. Most horses will hardly notice this if you're doing it correctly. However, if you're pulling too much hair at once, you'll find it hard to tug out and the horse will feel pain and react to it. If you're using a humane pulling comb, push the button to cut the hair instead of looping and pulling on it.

    • 6

      Continue pulling the mane to the desired length all the way down the neck, stopping occasionally to give the horse a break.

    Curing a Mane That Won't Lie Flat or Lies on the Wrong Side

    • 7

      Wet a horse brush and firmly brush any unruly mane hairs onto the side of the neck you'd like the mane to be on.

    • 8

      Train any sections of mane that stick up or want to lie on the wrong side. Rubber-band the offending section of hair together and wet it down with a damp brush. Apply pressure with your hand to make it lie on the side of the neck you want it to be on. The rubber-banded-hair sections should be thick and heavy enough so that their weight helps keep the problematic area of the mane lying on the correct side of the neck.

    • 9

      Purchase and use a Sleazy or other spandex neck covering on your horse before a big event. These neck coverings help train and keep the mane in place.

    • 10

      Clip the offending section off if it's up near the ears. Most horses have their manes clipped by their so that there's a flat area for the bridle to lie. (This area is known as the bridle path.) If a horse's mane is unruly in this area, some people will choose to clip the bridle path a little longer and get rid of the unruly mane instead of working with it. Be careful not to clip too long of a bridle path, however; it might look odd.