[Luvs Phin]

So there's this mare. I want to shave her mane. But if I do it I have to do it, like now, so it can grow back over winter etc.
I'm such a chicken though.. I am going to hate to do it!

What about her forelock though? She's got this big, pretty head, and this lame excuse for a forelock!! Can I shave that off? Anyone have luck with that?

I'm nervous about it! but worried about the forelock, because some people have done it and it hasnt grown back?! Sad! I wouldn't want that!

What do you think!!

[ryder98]

My younger mare Sky has a slow growing mane, huge full thick crazy tail (with no help from me!) but only has a wisp of a forelock too. It has never grown a millimeter in the year I have owned her, and my boyfriend (who is part owner of the horse) accused me of cutting it off the other day :P All I did was clip her bridle path, and It made it look far more wispy She's "rail rubbed" portions of her mane out (there is always better food outside the paddock, doncha know? :P) and I am hesitant to roach her over winter for the same reason you are If her forelock doesn't grow much at all, is her mane going to be a slow grow back? She will not suit a roach or short pulled mane ... her neck is not her best feature to highlight I haven't owned her for long enough to be sure how her hair grows.

One the other hand, my dressage mare, Daylynne, I roach in the fall and it grows back almost as fast as I take it off. She looks really good roached and I like her nice even hair in the spring. Her forelock needs to be cut back out of her eyes monthly, and I have to trim her tail on a regular basis so it stays off the ground. I've had her since she was weaned, and I know her hair grows back fast and thick, so I don't think twice about cutting her right back

Sorry I can't be of more help. I think it has more to do with genetics than anything. I feed both Sky and Daylynne the exact same feed daily, they are turned out 24/7, side by side paddocks, and are similar in age, Daylynne being a bit older but both mares still young. Both are grade mares Good luck! Let me know what happens

-Heather-

[Rising Star]

My tb gelding has a tiny forelock and always has. Ive owned him for almost 3 years and its only grown a wee bit. For some horses its just in their genes.

his tail and mane on the other hand now look wonderful. I used to fuss over both lots trying to condition, keeping his tail either loose braided or braided with vet wrap, and always comb it with a wide tooth comb. For the past couple months he has been retired and i havent fuss over either. I notice the more you leave it alone the better results you will have. they will still have a nice gloss to their mane and tail if you have them on a good diet. When you do go to brush it though make sure you leave in some healthy hair care or something of the alike to help with the tangles and make sure to get out most knots with your fingers then move to a wide tooth comb after.

[Luvs Phin]

Should I worry about her forelock not growing back?

[Rising Star]

Originally Posted by Luvs Phin

Should I worry about her forelock not growing back?

Did she ever have a good long and thick forelock?

you can search on hgs for all different products to help growing the forelock. I personally tried mtg and just gave up because i wasnt seeing any results with him.

[Luvs Phin]

She's never had much of one, i think. She's 12 now lol.
I was reading some posts earlier and some said that when they shaved it, it never really came back.
I've never had a lot of luck with MTG either.

[Rising Star]

Originally Posted by Luvs Phin

She's never had much of one, i think. She's 12 now lol.
I was reading some posts earlier and some said that when they shaved it, it never really came back.
I've never had a lot of luck with MTG either.

sometimes its just in their genes. TBs are known for little to no forelock depending on their breeding just like appys are known to sometimes have string like manes and tails.

did you follow the directions on the mtg for the forelock and mane right down to a tee? maybe try that if you didnt. make sure not to put your horse out in direct sunlight though. I always applied it after my night ride because he would be going into his stall for the night and out of th sun for a few hours.

if that doesnt work well just leave it. I have also heard of coconut oil but never tried it. you can look up threads on it though and what it exactly does etc

[QHGirl]

My gelding got his "trimmed" a long time ago and it never came back... he has a pathetic excuse of a forlock... same with mane and tail though. Thank goodness for fake tails.

I would NEVER attempt to shave my geldings forlock becuase if it never came back... UGH.

Why would you want to shave it?

[Luvs Phin]

The same reason I am doing her mane, for it to grow back better/fuller. We just went out and did it. It was hard for me because i LOVE manes and tails, but, I think she will be better this way, it'll give her the winter months to grow some of it out.
I am surprised at how decent she looks without it, almost better right now lol. She's got a cresty neck we are working hard at getting rid of as well, slowly but surely, and i thought that would make it look worse, but I dont think it did.
Anyways. We'll see how it grows out. Gona be using MTG by the book, see if it will help.

[Quick2Skip01]

Try re-assessing your bridlepath- I did this with my gelding, and he has a beautiful forelock now : )