Thickening Mane

[opalandme]

Hey everyone,
in the winter my mares mane is reasonably thick then in the summer(show season) is is very thin it all falls out. I was wondering what is a good way to thicken the mane/keep it thick.
Thanks!
Abigail & Opal:)

[wstrngrl]

Avoid brushing/combing it like the plague ;) Only brush it out for shows, or if it starts to get rats nests or dreadlocks.

If you want to remove shavings/debris, gently brush with a soft (body) brush.

When you do brush/comb it, start at the tips and work your way up. So, brush out starting at the tips, then brush out starting a couple inches up ect. That will help keep the knots from 'piling up' and causing you to pull more hair out.

[VLayne]

Lily has a super thin mane, too. I only brush it with a soft brush (body brush) to remove shavings, etc and most days don't even do that unless they're bad. She gets dreadlocks if she's put away damp or has been outside in the rain, so for those, I use Cowboy Magic (if they're really bad) and I hand pick it.

A slightly "tangled" mane will look thicker than one that's combed out silky smooth, so if you have a thin mane, don't comb it at shows. Just body brush it and maybe spray some show sheen on it and hand-pull that through for shine.

Although now that she's in training, I have no say over her grooming and her mane has become much thinner and about 6" shorter since June. :( I worked so HARD to grow it out!

[Ride2Live]

I don't comb Dixie's at all unless we're at a show and even then I try not to because she has a thinner mane as well. I just run Cowboy Magic through with my fingers. If you must comb it out, go in small sections and wet the hair down. That seems to help.

[wspr1042]

I also know that with people I have always been told to not wash your hair before an updo because dirtiy hair looks thicker. We applied this at shows by using a conditioner at bath time (adds oils...using no conditioner but just a conditioning type shampoo on a horse will keep them cleaner longer as oil attracts dirt) just picking through with our fingers and then a sticky hairspray lightly before the class for "body". At home I swear by cowboy magic for detangling and unless a mane and tail are extremely thick (like our welsh pony) I almost never brush or comb allthough this is just what works for me...so many different ways to choose from :)

[StephsBlondy]

I put MTG on everything it makes hair grow feal fast it is nasty but works well.

[wstrngrl]

I like MTG too. But you have to be careful with it. Don't start going gungho with it on a horse you've never used it on; some horses are allergic to it; and instead of having the hair grow, it will all fall out :eek:

Start with a small area, and give it a few days to make sure the horse doesn't start to get itchy or otherwise irritate on/around that spot before applying it to a larger area.