THE MANE

One of the most beautiful features of the horse, the mane, when left to grow long, flows gracefully from the horse's neck as it runs across the green pasture.

Now that sounds like a pretty picture, doesn't it!

But, most people keep their horse's manes short. Often, especially in English riding disciplines, the mane is braided, as well as the tail.

It is becoming popular to "band" the horse's mane for Western riding, too.

The mane is made up of the same kind of hair as the tail. It is thick, coarse, and has been used for making violin bows, fabric and wigs.

The mane starts at the horse's poll (top of the head) with the forelock falling between the ears and over the face. It extends down the crest of the neck to the withers.

A once popular way to treat the horse's mane was to shave it all off leaving a tuft at the withers and leaving the forelock. This style is called "roached". It works well for ropers who have to be concerned about the rope getting caught in a long mane.

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