tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post9176666170087348124..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: what is the human's obsession with horses' manes?billiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-82066798617162276382015-09-14T08:22:53.198-05:002015-09-14T08:22:53.198-05:00Yes, Arlene - comfort to the horse is the main poi...Yes, Arlene - comfort to the horse is the main point here. I remember being told in early years of riding that horses did not have any feeling in their manes or tails so you could do what you wanted or needed to do without worrying about their comfort. I don't think it's true that they don't feel anything but we can certainly watch and pay close attention to them if we need to trim or clip.<br /><br />Mine all get tails trimmed to fetlocks and manes trimmed very short each fall. I have not had a need to trim bridle paths as I find it easier to smooth the mane beneath the bridle path.<br /><br />The talk in the group was all about how to and whether to "train" the mane to do one thing or another. I can't imagine going to great lengths to get a mane to lie on one side of the neck if it resisted a simple brushing to one side. I would not have done well on the show circuit, obviously!! :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-49215700596251207322015-09-14T08:11:12.565-05:002015-09-14T08:11:12.565-05:00With our herd each horse has a different preferenc...With our herd each horse has a different preference concerning their manes and tails. Dusty loves to be brushed and brushed and brushed...I've never seen a tail as thick as hers and it takes forever to brush out. I have to bang it or it will drag on the ground. Blue needs to have his mane cut with scissors or clipper because he hates it pulled. I know this from taking him to a few shows in his youth and trying to braid it. Mellon hates his mane or tail brushed but will consent to it if the mood is right. And on and on with each horse.<br /><br />When we used to show a lot they were pulled and braided because they needed to be. Some were ok with it some not so much. I obviously don't braid anymore but sometimes those that need it will get a bridle cut to help their bridles fit better. And sometimes they will get a trim of their manes. I guess everyone has their own preferences and as long as it doesn't cause discomfort to the horse I think it's fine to have your horse look the way you think is best.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-74556167382716714542015-09-13T18:08:24.293-05:002015-09-13T18:08:24.293-05:00I definitely trim tails when they start dragging t...I definitely trim tails when they start dragging the ground! Usually trim to fetlock level. billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-32503168495767730532015-09-13T18:04:17.208-05:002015-09-13T18:04:17.208-05:00I clip Val's bridle path. His mane is so thick...I clip Val's bridle path. His mane is so thick and abundant that his bridles don't fit right without some maintenance. I also bang his tail, or he would tear it out stepping on it. He's funny though - loves having his mane pulled or his hair messed with. Puts him into a trance.:DCalm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-68914862439604100662015-09-13T18:02:10.217-05:002015-09-13T18:02:10.217-05:00Yes, it's so true.Yes, it's so true. billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-20808338016002145192015-09-13T17:54:13.550-05:002015-09-13T17:54:13.550-05:00I don't do ears or whiskers, either - they nee...I don't do ears or whiskers, either - they need those to find their way around (whiskers) or to keep the bugs out of ears.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-365808073542697852015-09-13T12:38:26.267-05:002015-09-13T12:38:26.267-05:00Bridle paths! I totally forgot about those. Obviou...Bridle paths! I totally forgot about those. Obviously not something I do either! Nor whiskers nor ears etc. billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-24391096477343309212015-09-13T12:35:11.927-05:002015-09-13T12:35:11.927-05:00All that stuff about what manes on different sides...All that stuff about what manes on different sides mean is just hooey, IMO. Manes fall the way they do due to genetic predisposition - like markings, which also don't mean anything about the horse or its disposition or physical structure.<br /><br />I used to show hunter/jumpers, and found the mane/tail fussing/pulling/training/braiding just plain silly and not much fun for the horse. All my horses grow as much mane as they'd like, on any side they'd like. I don't even clip bridle paths.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com