[gummiponys]

I need a few tips for banding my horses mane. I basically want his mane to lie flat on one side. (Right now its flipped onto both sides). I have the proper rubber braiding elastics and all, but I was wondering how long I'm supposed to leave the elastics in for?
He lives outside right now in a field with a few other horses.

[faroutfax]

I would leave them in for a few days depending on how muck your horse messes up his/her mane. If it is all knotted then take them out and replace them. If they look fine just leave them. Or you could braid

[gummiponys]

That sounds like a good idea... just wait, he'll find the big pond of muck at the bad of the field.

So I could just braid them and leave them like that for a few days?
I don't think he would rub his mane or anything because the field is surrounded my electrical wire... except for his shelter... im just worried Ill walk out to go see him and there will be a big space of hair missing from his mane

[ShezaBayDoc]

Banding or braiding with work fine, and about him rubbing. . .
He probably won't, I know it's worrysome, but if you braid, braid loosely and hope for the best.

[faroutfax]

Leave the braids in for a few days. Same with the bands if they get all yucky take them out. Also braid loosley at the top if it is only for in the pasture. It is less likely to irritate him that way and less likely to rip out his hair

And I would detangle and condition it every couple of days. I really like the mane' n tail conditioner and detangler

[smitty]

Hi I have an easy suggestion for you. Before you band/braid you can put in a little (just a little) bit of light conditioner. It will prevent the hair from breaking while the elastics are in.
Good luck

[HawaiianPaint]

I totally agree with Smitty. if you use a leave in conditioner on the hair before you band or braid it (I have to braid because banding would be a mess with my mare's mane!) it will keep the hairs supple and pliable.

The bands will be fine for a few days to a week...I usually dont leave them in longer than a couple of days because the messy mane drives me nutz. The best way to take them out instead of trying to unband them is to use scissors to snip through the band...you'll end up breaking fewer hairs than if you try to pull them out.

[painthorses711]

its better the braid in smaller(like 1/2 inch or 1 inch sections) and dont braid it too loose..bigger braids tend to get messier more quickly and then they end up flipping back over the neck. i learned through experience so i though id let you konw lol. also put the conditioner in as others have said.