Paint horses, how long should their mane be?

Question

i ride Western pleasure and i do halter classes, and my paint mare has a mane about 7-8 inches but i dont wanna cut it but i know i need to to do better at the my next show. how long can i leave it?

Thank you -Erica

Answer 1

Paint horses are suppose to have short manes. but i still see western paints with long manes. I cut my horses mane and i started to place a little higher in shows, so i know that it is a sacrafice but it is worth it

Answer 2

The APHA rule book does not require you to shorten your horse's mane, so it is a matter of preference.  If you are just showing at small Open shows I would honestly suggest you leave it long.  A short mane MUST be banded to lay properly, and banding is difficult to learn, takes 1/2 hour to do even when you know how, and you must use a slinky to keep it laying flat.  If you do not intend to band, then leave the mane long and flowing.  Make sure it is nice and tidy, trim a good bridle path, and just keep it brushed.  

If you decide to leave the mane long, then you need to make sure your trimming is excellent.  Make sure you horse's face, fetlocks, bridlepath and everything looks very proper.  You do not want to give the judge the appearance that you are new to showing, unknowledgable, or unprofessional.  

There are Paints with long manes even on the breed circuit.  There have been examples of talented Paints winning at the World level with a long flowing mane, even in Western pleasure.  But traditionally the mane is shortened 2-4 inches in length, and then neatly banded.  I do shorten my show horse's manes, but I have put alot of practice into learning how to band, I own slinkies and I have the time to band the evening before the show.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 3

The object of Halter classes and Western Pleasure classes is for the mane to look symmetrical, neat, and short. At APHA world and AQHA world, you won't find a Halter horse with a mane longer than 3 inches.

However, if you're not showing the big time and only doing local shows (Especially if you prefer a longer mane), leave it the length you like it. I would recommend trimming the ends of the mane so they're nice and even.

If you're going to do a sport along the lines of reining, leave the mane go. Reiners always have long, flowy manes; and they always look breathtaking when one of them preform a sliding stop or spin.

I'm sure your paint mare is absolutely stunning.  :)Good luck!

Answer 4

What kina question is that? Duh. You can grow her mane as long as you want it to be or if you want it short, cut it short. But a horses mane help keep the flys and mosquitoes off of her. So I recommend you keep it long.

Answer 5

3" is traditional.

http://www.geocities.com/aimhclub/westri...

I feel your pain, I could never put my paint horse in shows because I love his gorgeous long mane.