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How long can I leave braids in my horses mane2007-11-24 21:15:40

Just wondering--I am braiding my mare's mane, but I am not sure how long to leave them in. I want to leave them in as long as I can, but I don't want to damage her mane.

Thanks!

Answers:

For tight show braids (like you would see on a hunter) - Leave in for as little time as possible-- most people advocate taking them out every night so the horse doesn't rub his mane and break the hair off at the base of the braids (I've seen horses that did this-- they went from a nice mane to a mangled mess of a mane that had to be clipped to the roots overnight).

For loose mane braids that are left hanging down - (commonly used to grow the mane out for competition horses like reiners, saddle seat, or Arabians or to keep the mane out of the way on rope and barrel horses or to train the mane to lie on one side of the neck)-- up to a week. Any longer and you risk the horse itching at his neck, catching a braid on something, and pulling it out by the roots. These braids are quick and easy to put in, so at least once a week, take them out, carefully comb through the mane, add conditioner, and loosely rebraid. Check these braids daily if possible to prevent damage before it occurs.

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I braid my horses hair and leave it in until I remeber to take it out which can be up to three t four weeks.

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I leave them in for 2 weeks or so

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Well, it depends on what you mean by braids.