Thinning shear step-by-step with pics

HalterGirl_88 · 12-08-2004, 02:17 PM

Ok as requested by a few here is a step-by-step guide of how I do manes using a thinning shear. My lovely assistant for the day was yearling QH filly Obviously A Cowgirl "Dunnie"

First tools you will need- a comb, thinning shears, and a regular pair of scissors.

Notice that the thinning shears only have one blade, not two like a normal scissors, the top has teeth like a comb. These teeth are what cause the thinning.

Now start with your horses mane all neatly combed out and tangle free, a clean mane is preferable, cuts easier.

Take your thinning shears and starting at the back of the mane start snipping in rapid motion in about a 3" large section, then stop and comb out the mane to remove cut hair. Make sure you are cutting at a slight angle, not straight across. You will have a more blunt look cutting straight, angling gives a more natural look.

Here you can see what the mane looks like about halfway through

Here you can see a little closer what it looks like when you're cutting it

HalterGirl_88 · 12-08-2004, 02:23 PM

Next take a regular scissors and cut off any of the straggly ends that the thinning shears didnt cut

The mane should start to look like this

When you have used the thinning shears on the whole mane and cut off all the straggly hairs take a brush and back comb the whole mane a few times

Doing this will reveal and hairs that are hidden in the mane that still need cut

This is what a finished mane will look like

Cowgirl2135 · 12-08-2004, 02:27 PM

Beautiful!!

HalterGirl_88 · 12-08-2004, 02:28 PM

When your mane is finished check to see that you have done the mane straight, to do so look from your horses whithers up towards their mane, this will give you a better idea of if it's straight than looking directly towards the horse.

After I've done a mane I generally braid it, this helps to keep the mane laying nice and flat. I do the braids in about 3/4" sections. Make sure to braid them TIGHT and always pull down while braiding so that they lay down. Having them tight will also have the hair break naturally on it's own and help thin it out as well. Leave them in for about a week, take them out for a couple days and then rebraid.

HalterGirl_88 · 12-08-2004, 02:31 PM

Hope this helps, if anyone needs anything explained further or has any other questions, just ask!

Sandra-A1 · 12-08-2004, 02:33 PM

Those are super step-by-step instructional photos!

Great job!
I am sure there will be a lot of people here who will find them helpful!!!!
Thank you!!!!

belle4 · 12-08-2004, 02:44 PM

Thank you Haltergirl. There are always so many questions about the mane. That was a great step by step. Many will appreciate your time and effort.

Moonshine Zeus · 12-08-2004, 02:53 PM

Wow thats amazing thanks!

devilishjumper · 12-08-2004, 03:13 PM

wow, great directions, but i want to beable to braid like you it is sooooo perfect mine is like differet sizes lol!

HalterGirl_88 · 12-08-2004, 03:28 PM

Takes about 15 min to do a mane like that. Practice- practice -practice, do 4-5 manes like that 5-6 days a week and you'll get good too!

12-08-2004, 02:17 PM	#1
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	Thinning shear step-by-step with pics Ok as requested by a few here is a step-by-step guide of how I do manes using a thinning shear. My lovely assistant for the day was yearling QH filly Obviously A Cowgirl "Dunnie" First tools you will need- a comb, thinning shears, and a regular pair of scissors. Notice that the thinning shears only have one blade, not two like a normal scissors, the top has teeth like a comb. These teeth are what cause the thinning. Now start with your horses mane all neatly combed out and tangle free, a clean mane is preferable, cuts easier. Take your thinning shears and starting at the back of the mane start snipping in rapid motion in about a 3" large section, then stop and comb out the mane to remove cut hair. Make sure you are cutting at a slight angle, not straight across. You will have a more blunt look cutting straight, angling gives a more natural look. Here you can see what the mane looks like about halfway through Here you can see a little closer what it looks like when you're cutting it Last edited by HalterGirl_88 : 02-02-2005 at 01:59 PM.

12-08-2004, 02:23 PM	#2
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	Next take a regular scissors and cut off any of the straggly ends that the thinning shears didnt cut The mane should start to look like this When you have used the thinning shears on the whole mane and cut off all the straggly hairs take a brush and back comb the whole mane a few times Doing this will reveal and hairs that are hidden in the mane that still need cut This is what a finished mane will look like Last edited by HalterGirl_88 : 02-02-2005 at 02:02 PM.

12-08-2004, 02:28 PM	#4
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	When your mane is finished check to see that you have done the mane straight, to do so look from your horses whithers up towards their mane, this will give you a better idea of if it's straight than looking directly towards the horse. After I've done a mane I generally braid it, this helps to keep the mane laying nice and flat. I do the braids in about 3/4" sections. Make sure to braid them TIGHT and always pull down while braiding so that they lay down. Having them tight will also have the hair break naturally on it's own and help thin it out as well. Leave them in for about a week, take them out for a couple days and then rebraid. Last edited by HalterGirl_88 : 02-02-2005 at 02:04 PM.

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12-08-2004, 02:27 PM	#3
Cowgirl2135 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: California, USA Posts: 3,436	Beautiful!!

12-08-2004, 02:31 PM	#5
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	Hope this helps, if anyone needs anything explained further or has any other questions, just ask!

12-08-2004, 02:33 PM	#6
Sandra-A1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,038	Those are super step-by-step instructional photos! Great job! I am sure there will be a lot of people here who will find them helpful!!!! Thank you!!!!

12-08-2004, 02:44 PM	#7
belle4 Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,326	Thank you Haltergirl. There are always so many questions about the mane. That was a great step by step. Many will appreciate your time and effort.

12-08-2004, 02:53 PM	#8
Moonshine Zeus Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 3,198	Wow thats amazing thanks!

12-08-2004, 03:13 PM	#9
devilishjumper Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennslyvania USA Posts: 2,047	wow, great directions, but i want to beable to braid like you it is sooooo perfect mine is like differet sizes lol!

12-08-2004, 03:28 PM	#10
HalterGirl_88 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,611	Takes about 15 min to do a mane like that. Practice- practice -practice, do 4-5 manes like that 5-6 days a week and you'll get good too!