Combs: Part, Shorten and Prepare Your Horse's Mane for Plaiting
With the right comb, your horse's mane gets a neat parting and an even length. Here you will find combs for everyday grooming and for show days.
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Waldhausen Mane Comb with Handle, 20 cm for Mane & Tail
Sale price: €3.84 Regular price: €3.95 (2.78% saved)
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Waldhausen Mane Pulling Comb with Wooden Handle, 18.5 cm
Sale price: €2.75 Regular price: €2.95 (6.78% saved)
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Waldhausen Lucky Kids Mane Comb, night blue, 10 cm
Sale price: €2.75 Regular price: €2.95 (6.78% saved)
Covalliero Mane Comb Competition, black, 3-in-1 with braiding clip
Regular price: €4.94
Combs: keeping the mane in order
Combs for horses are mainly intended for grooming the mane. They bring the hair into shape, create a straight parting and help to lay the mane over neatly to one side. A mane comb with a handle sits well in your hand when you want to plait before a show. With pulling combs you shorten and thin out a thick mane without scissors and without a hard edge.
Pulling the mane instead of cutting it
When pulling the mane, you take a small section, push the shorter hairs up with the comb and wrap the remaining long hairs around the comb. With a short, quick tug they come out. This makes the mane shorter and thinner while keeping it looking natural. It works best when the hair roots are warm, for example after riding. Work in small steps and give your horse breaks, because not every horse enjoys having its mane pulled.
Metal, plastic and children's combs
Combs made of metal are sturdy and well suited to pulling. Plastic combs are lighter and pleasant for parting and plaiting. Models with a wooden handle and metal teeth combine stability with a good grip. Small, colourful combs fit children's hands and make them keen on mane care. For the tail, a brush is usually gentler than a comb.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a dressage mane be?
For show plaits, a length of about a hand's breadth has proven itself. That lets you plait even knots that hold well. For leisure horses there is no fixed rule, so you decide according to taste and breed.
Does pulling the mane hurt my horse?
Many horses take it calmly, because mane hairs are less sensitive than other body hair. Some do become restless, though. In that case, take only a few hairs at a time, work after riding and spread the job over several days.
Can I not simply shorten the mane with scissors?
You can, but it often looks chopped off because it leaves a straight edge. When pulling, the ends naturally stay at different lengths. For a very short mane on ponies or Haflingers, some owners still prefer scissors.
The right comb for every mane
Whether you want a neat parting, need to prepare the mane for show plaits or would like to shorten a thick mane, there is a suitable comb for every job. Combs with a handle are easy to guide and work well for parting and sectioning when you plait. Pulling combs made of metal are sturdy and help to bring the mane to an even length without leaving a hard cut edge. A comb with a wooden handle feels comfortable in your hand, even when you work for longer. For young riders there are small, colourful combs that fit their hands perfectly. When pulling, always take just a few hairs at a time, and your horse will stay relaxed. It is easiest after riding, when the hair roots are warm. Keep your comb in the grooming box, and it will be right to hand the next time you plait.