One of the most attractive and distinctive features of the horse is its gorgeous mane and tail. Just as people have different hairstyles, horses may have different mane “styles”. Not only is the horse’s mane visually attractive, it also offers multiple features, including pest control, protection, and a clutch for riders to retain early in domestication.
Horse pest control
One function of a horse’s mane is to keep pests away. This is very important as some insects, especially mosquitoes, can spread life-threatening diseases, including eastern horse encephalitis and the West Nile virus. Deer fly horses can also sway infectious anemia in horses, a disease identified by the Coggins Test, and can also sway through mane.
The key to hair that grows from the top of the head and falls forward to the forehead between the ears is called the front rock. This part of the mane is very useful in keeping the fly away from the horse’s eyes. Some varieties, especially ponies, have very thick forelimbs, while others, such as Thoroughbred, have thin forelimbs. Primitive horses like Przewalski’s horses and donkeys do not have an identifiable forelock.
Horse protection
In addition to providing pest control, horse mane offers an additional form of protection. The mane keeps your neck cozy and warm, just like you’re wearing a nice insulated scarf. It also drys the neck in the rain and protects the eyes from the sun.
A thick, large mane may make the horse look bigger and discourage the attacker. However, if a predator attacks, the mane can also latch around the neck by the predator or stop any important structures inside. Not only is the area of the neck attacked by other species, but when fighting stallions they tend to bite each other’s neck. This is also why stallions tend to have thicker manes than mares.
Horse health markers
Thick, shiny mane is a sign of health. A healthy and full mane indicates access to resources and nutrition. Animal behaviorists also found that mares were more attracted to mane stallions. This is because it means strength and ability to provide protection.
Is it okay to cut off the horse’s mane?
Regular grooming is required to keep your mane healthy. Mane maintenance involves using your fingers to select large pieces or separate tangles. In general, having several different brushes is helpful. A soft bristle brush is used at the base of the mane, Mane and tail brush Used for length. an Horse Hair Conditioner It also helps to keep your horse’s main health very well. Thick mane is desirable in nature, but in our companion hoses, the mane can become too thick and unmanageable.
It is best not to cut the horse’s mane. Instead, to thin your horse’s mane, you use a technique called “pull.” The key to pulling a horse’s mane is to use a short, quick pull and work on small sections of the mane. Bullying long hair with a Mane comb. Starting with the longest hair will cause the hair to become thinner and shorter.
When you start pulling a horse’s mane, don’t pull it all at once, as it can lead to the horse resenting it. Instead, do small amounts and multiple sessions at once. This technique should not bother your horse. If so, ask an experienced horse person for help.
In some cases, you should be aware that the horse “hoggs” the mane or cuts the overall length shorter. This is common in working horses, such as cob and polo horses.
Braided horse mane
Another unique and refined feature of horse mane is the knitting or knitting of them. Braids are also used for mane maintenance, but they are also used as part of the outfit to display. By custom, the mane must lie on the right side of the horse’s neck. In most cases, in nature, this is the way mane falls. If the horse’s mane is not split to the right side, you can use braids to train your hair.
Various fields use different braids to show and perform. Some braiding techniques include:
- Straight Blade: An easy way to keep your mane clean and tidy
- Running Blade: Used for long-mane horses
- Button Braided: may give the illusion of a higher neck crest, commonly used in dressage
- Hunter Blade: emphasizes the neck and avoids mane from the rider’s way
- Continental knit: Decorative pattern
- Western Mane Banding: Allows the mane to lie flat on the neck, thinning the neck
