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Discussion on Braiding manes and mane bags
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Member:
kerrief
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 10:42 am:
Hi All,
I'm looking for tips on maintaining long manes and tails. Some say braid, some say no, some say braid and use mane bags. Of those that say braid; you'll find a bunch of options as to which braid.
I would love to hear from you on what works and what doesn't!
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 26, 2009 - 12:58 pm:
I've had the best result with washing and conditioning, then not braiding the mane, but putting it into "pigtails." Take about a one inch section, like you would for a braid, but instead of braiding, band with small bands all the way down the section placing the bands about 4" apart. You have to be careful not to make the bands too tight, but tight enough to stay up. This keeps the mane from tangling, but lets a few hairs work loose if they get caught on something without pulling a whole big section of mane out. You have to redo this at least once a week.
I also almsot never brush out the manes if I'm trying to grow them. Instead I "comb" the tangles out with my fingers, carefully pulling apart eacy hair from a knot. If there are knots and tangles, use a conditioner, Cowboy Magic worked good, and carefully pull the knots apart with your fingers. If the knots are really bad, use one of those 3 pronged braiding combs, or a large crochet hook, to help work the tangle loose enough so you can finger comb it.
I treat the tails the same way, but loosely braid them. If they are long enough to get on the ground, or I want them to stay clean, I loosley braid then wrap in an old sock or a tail bag. To use an old sock, cut 4 strips down from the top of the sock. Turn the sock inside out, with your hand still inside the sock holding onto the toe. Roll the braided tail up enough to fit into the sock. Grab the roll of tail with your hand/sock and holding it inside the sock, roll the sock up over the tail. Weave the sock strips through the tail braid right below where the tail bone ends, and tie it. Again, this should be redone at least once a week.
Also, to grow tail and mane, make sure your horse has a good diet with enough Biotin in it.
If you're at a boarding or show barn and don't want your horse waltzing around with an old sock on his tail, then get one of the tail bags that tie through the tail the same way as the sock.
I love Cowboy Magic, Healthy Hair, and Equss products for nice manes and tails.
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Member:
kerrief
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 - 6:22 am:
On a Friesan site, they use electrical tape instead of bands. How does that work without hair loss? 
I agree with Cowboy Magic and Equss products. Equss has a product designed for taking out bands and braids...very slick stuff, and smells great!
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