Long mane, or short?

Bella · 03-13-2004, 06:21 PM

Alright.. I like to show my mare in both english and western classes, and I love braiding manes. This is just an opinion question really.. do you think that I should cut my mare's mane so I can do buttons and banding etc, or should I allow it to grow long like it is. And if you think I should keep it long, what would you recommend for braiding styles I could do?

Here are two pictures of her that show the length of her mane.

Also, as you can see, she has a tiny forlock and quite short tail (she's an appaloosa). Any suggestions on how to get them to grow?

Thanks!

SeaBreeze123 · 03-13-2004, 06:25 PM

personally i like long manes but it depends on the horse. like i wouldnt like a very long mane on a QH but on an andalusian (sp?) it looks stunning/

hOrSeCrAzEeE120 · 03-13-2004, 06:25 PM

I think she looks cute with a long mane, but i think it would look a bit nicer if it was short and braided for shows.

And for the tail and forelock, put showsheen in before or after you ride. First brush through it, then spray and let sit! Good luck!

shes a very beautiful mare!

Jumpers · 03-13-2004, 06:25 PM

What a beautiful mare!! She's simply adorable cute_kis

I personally like a short mane, but it's up to you and whatever you like. If you want to show in English classes, she'll need a short mane. Of course in Open shows, I don't know if they allow a long mane or not. I've never tried. lol

hOrSeCrAzEeE120 · 03-13-2004, 06:38 PM

What kind of shows are you looking to do in the english pleasure, like open shows or rated ones? I dont think the open shows it matter, but for the rated ones they like it short.

MissBandit · 03-13-2004, 06:39 PM

I persoanlly love a long mane, but it has to be in porportion (sp? ug my head is not in this) to the rest of her hair. Short sparse tail and wispy forelock... then the mane should be shorter as well. It looks a lot neater.

Lou3 · 03-13-2004, 06:41 PM

If you grow the mane even longer you can trellis it, you arent allowed to do this at rated shows but for schooling shows its fine and it looks stunning. I used to do it when i took my games ponies to pony club stuff because their manes were too long to plait.
i like em with long manes, none of mine have pulled manes except Cory because i want to show her in working hunters this season.
Lou

Chocolate Dream · 03-13-2004, 06:45 PM

At first I was thinking 'yeah keep it long' because I love a full, long mane. But then someone brought up the point(sorry!! forgot who) that she has a short forelock and tail so maybe you should trim the mane to make it look like it fits. She is very cute though and will look pretty no matter what!

Bella · 03-13-2004, 06:48 PM

Thanks everyone. Really, I think the only thing that is stopping me right now from trimming her mane up, is that I have never done it before, so I would hate to do it wrong and make it look terrible. Though I think it would be nice, so I could do smaller braids, as well as banding.

Lou3.. What is a trellis? I may have seen it and just not know what it is called. I like to put 'scallops' in her mane, they look really nice, but it gets boring doing the same thing everytime.

hOrSeCrAzEeE120.. I only show at small town fairs, therefore it doesn't matter what the main looks like.. it isn't even required to style it. However I am trying to get on the 4-H Regional Team again this year, and though once again it isn't required, its a big show and I'd like to make her look great. I show in equitation and pleasure, and where we're able I do some dressage and equitation over fences. As for western, again equitation and pleasure, as well as speed events and trail.

And thanks everyone! I think she's gorgeous too, but then, of course i'm biased! It's really nice to get compliments from others

KatesFox · 03-13-2004, 07:48 PM

If you doing stuff like that- I'd pull the mane! I LOVE short manes- My pony came with a loonnngggg mane- I pulled it and he looked absolutely BEAUTIFUL...welll....handsome...lol! Defianately pull it...

03-13-2004, 06:21 PM	#1
Bella Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,297 Images: 120 Blog Entries: 3	Long mane, or short? Alright.. I like to show my mare in both english and western classes, and I love braiding manes. This is just an opinion question really.. do you think that I should cut my mare's mane so I can do buttons and banding etc, or should I allow it to grow long like it is. And if you think I should keep it long, what would you recommend for braiding styles I could do? Here are two pictures of her that show the length of her mane. Also, as you can see, she has a tiny forlock and quite short tail (she's an appaloosa). Any suggestions on how to get them to grow? Thanks! __________________ It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans Click my dragon egg!

03-13-2004, 06:39 PM	#6
MissBandit Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 13,218 Images: 300 Blog Entries: 43	I persoanlly love a long mane, but it has to be in porportion (sp? ug my head is not in this) to the rest of her hair. Short sparse tail and wispy forelock... then the mane should be shorter as well. It looks a lot neater. __________________ Founder is the #2 killer of horses. Learn how to prevent, spot and treat this deadly disease. Emergency Treatment http://www.laminitisclinic.org

03-13-2004, 06:41 PM	#7
Lou3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 7,456 Images: 32 Blog Entries: 1	If you grow the mane even longer you can trellis it, you arent allowed to do this at rated shows but for schooling shows its fine and it looks stunning. I used to do it when i took my games ponies to pony club stuff because their manes were too long to plait. i like em with long manes, none of mine have pulled manes except Cory because i want to show her in working hunters this season. Lou __________________ Save the Earth . . . it's the only planet with chocolate FFFL

03-13-2004, 06:48 PM	#9
Bella Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,297 Images: 120 Blog Entries: 3	Thanks everyone. Really, I think the only thing that is stopping me right now from trimming her mane up, is that I have never done it before, so I would hate to do it wrong and make it look terrible. Though I think it would be nice, so I could do smaller braids, as well as banding. Lou3.. What is a trellis? I may have seen it and just not know what it is called. I like to put 'scallops' in her mane, they look really nice, but it gets boring doing the same thing everytime. hOrSeCrAzEeE120.. I only show at small town fairs, therefore it doesn't matter what the main looks like.. it isn't even required to style it. However I am trying to get on the 4-H Regional Team again this year, and though once again it isn't required, its a big show and I'd like to make her look great. I show in equitation and pleasure, and where we're able I do some dressage and equitation over fences. As for western, again equitation and pleasure, as well as speed events and trail. And thanks everyone! I think she's gorgeous too, but then, of course i'm biased! It's really nice to get compliments from others __________________ It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans Click my dragon egg!

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03-13-2004, 06:25 PM	#2
SeaBreeze123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: PA Posts: 466	personally i like long manes but it depends on the horse. like i wouldnt like a very long mane on a QH but on an andalusian (sp?) it looks stunning/

03-13-2004, 06:25 PM	#3
hOrSeCrAzEeE120 Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,016	I think she looks cute with a long mane, but i think it would look a bit nicer if it was short and braided for shows. And for the tail and forelock, put showsheen in before or after you ride. First brush through it, then spray and let sit! Good luck! shes a very beautiful mare!

03-13-2004, 06:25 PM	#4
Jumpers Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,216	What a beautiful mare!! She's simply adorable cute_kis I personally like a short mane, but it's up to you and whatever you like. If you want to show in English classes, she'll need a short mane. Of course in Open shows, I don't know if they allow a long mane or not. I've never tried. lol

03-13-2004, 06:38 PM	#5
hOrSeCrAzEeE120 Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,016	What kind of shows are you looking to do in the english pleasure, like open shows or rated ones? I dont think the open shows it matter, but for the rated ones they like it short.

03-13-2004, 06:45 PM	#8
Chocolate Dream Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass Posts: 407	At first I was thinking 'yeah keep it long' because I love a full, long mane. But then someone brought up the point(sorry!! forgot who) that she has a short forelock and tail so maybe you should trim the mane to make it look like it fits. She is very cute though and will look pretty no matter what!

03-13-2004, 07:48 PM	#10
KatesFox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: USA Posts: 503 Images: 54	If you doing stuff like that- I'd pull the mane! I LOVE short manes- My pony came with a loonnngggg mane- I pulled it and he looked absolutely BEAUTIFUL...welll....handsome...lol! Defianately pull it...