Recently I mentioned trimming manes to help reduce tangles. Once in a while, we brush upon techniques that are such a given in my world, I don’t realize what you might hear. I apologize for any misunderstanding. Please allow me to clarify.
Just like with people, hair with thin, scraggy ends is prone to tangling. If you just snip thin ends off, they won’t wrap around themselves as readily. If the mane is natural/long, you can trim a little along the swooping line of the mane.
I would never cut a mane straight across. It would fall in clumps, which looks unnatural and amateur. If a mane falls in a clean, blunt-looking line, it is not cut with scissors. Although it looks blunt, its tapered, even if slightly. The easiest way to achieve a clean bottom line to the mane is by teasing and cutting a few strands at time with a body clipper blade, preferably an Oster 84 AU. An old one that needs to be sharpened will work just fine. I apologize for the scan, but this article best demonstrates my technique.
Here are more details to maintaining manes most effectively
I would not cut nor pull a forelock. They don’t sit right if you fuss with them. I chose this image because it is just too cute. The groom was super proud, and with good reason. This Dutch boy cut works, somehow. If you look closely, you can see the ends are reddish. So, the groom only cut the thin ends ever so slightly to create that line. That’s why it is not clumping.
Anyway, I thought we’d give this groom his day. Look at how shiny the nostril is. That’s from toweling LOTS. The horse’s lip tells the story that he is delighted and exited to be going to the ring with his guy. I really got the feeling these two were thick as thieves. I love that!
Ruthann Smith has spent a lifetime studying sound horsemanship- both as a groom for top international horses and as a renowned braider. Quietly twisting manes atop a ladder, she watched and learned in some of the best stables in the world.
As her passion for great grooming grew, Ruthann became focused on researching, collecting and sharing the best practices of the world’s keenest horsemen. Ultimately, Ruthann used her vast experience to develop exceptional equine grooming products to help raise the bar of horsemanship.
The knowledge she dispenses and the products Ruthann developed solve age-old grooming issues. Making quality horse care easier, they have received the highest honors in the equine industry*. Her Lucky Braids for Top Turnout coat care and braiding products are the best, most versatile, cost-effective and easiest solutions available on the market today.
Now Ruthann offers her LOVE, LOVE Guarantee. If not totally thrilled with a product she developed, Ruthann will refund you in full, regardless of where you purchased it.
It’s her life’s mission to empower horses by educating, motivating and equipping their people to be true horsemen. You can access Ruthann’s tips at: The Grooming Resource on LuckyBraids.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and her Horsemanship Clinics.
*After testing 350 products, Lucky Braids All-In-One Horse Shampoo was named product of the year by Horse Journal, the “Consumer Reports” of the industry. They also named Lucky Braids Shampoo and Top Pick for greys and whites. Lucky Braids specialized braiding yarn also got stellar reviews.