Would you like to receive Club Horse Newsletters?

X Close Window
Please provide us with your email address in order to access this valuable pet content.
Fields marked with an asterisk * are required.
* Are you at least 13 years old?
YesNo
* First Name:
 * Last Name:
* Email:
* City:
* State/Province:
* Do you also own a dog or cat?
Own dog(s)
Own cat(s)
Own both
Don't own dogs or cats
* Enter the code shown:
* I would like to receive the monthly newsletter from HorseChannel.com as well as occasional relevant Purina offers.
YesNo
If you select yes, HorseChannel.com will send you their monthly newsletter. If after your first newsletter, you would like to terminate your free newsletter, you may opt-out and retain your membership to earn points towards free products. You may also get an occasional relevant email from Purina, sponsor of HorseChannel.com.
SHOP HORSE
HORSE BREEDERS
HORSE NEWS
HORSE COMMUNITY
CLUB HORSE
HORSE VIDEOS
HORSE EXPERTS
HORSE HEALTH
HORSE TRAINING
HORSEKEEPING
HORSE BREEDS
HORSE SHOWING
HORSE MAGAZINES
YOUNG RIDER
What horse-related organizations do you belong to?
Local or regional clubs
National breed registries/associations
National equestrian organizations (USEF, USDF, NRHA, etc.)
I belong to several types of organizations
I don't belong to any horse-related organizations


How to Band a Western Horse’s Mane

Outshine the competition in the western show arena by following these simple steps.

By Toni McAllister With Casey Warren
Photos by Sharon P. Fibelkorn

Here are some simple steps for mane banding from expert groomer Casey Warren. But before you begin, check competition rules to make sure those bands are allowed in your classes! (Click photos to enlarge)

Start with a freshly bathed horse. The mane should be conditioned, dry, tangle-free and pulled or trimmed to a length of about 3 inches long.
Start from the top of your horse’s neck and work downward. Use rubber bands that are the same color as your horse’s mane. (Rubber bands designed for mane and tail grooming are sold at tack stores.)
Secure the rubber bands at the base of your horse’s neck.
Pull down on the hair as you secure each band to keep the mane flat against the horse’s neck.
Each band of hair should be the same size as the next and tightly spaced.
If you don’t secure the bands at the base of your horse neck and/or you don’t pull down as you work, you’ll end up with bands that won’t lay flat.
As needed, tighten bands as you go. Tighten just like you would a ponytail in your own hair: Force the rubber band upward by gently pulling the hair.
Finish the look by banding the forelock. Depending on how much hair your horse has, section the forelock using one, two or three rubber bands (three shown here).
Banding is often done the night before a show. To keep the look tidy and shavings-free, use sleepwear.
Make sure the sleepwear eye holes are large enough to accommodate your horse’s face shape (this a good example of how sleepwear should fit a horse’s face). Casey says she’s seen far too many eye injuries from ill-fitting horse apparel!
Casey Warren is a professional groomer based in Southern California. Her clients include some of the most competitive show barns in the nation.

For an English mane braiding guide, Click Here >>

 

Send This to a Friend


 Give us your opinion on
How to Band a Western Horse’s Mane
Submit a Comment
Reader Comments
I've done braiding but never banded a mane before because I wasn't sure how to do it right. Thanks for a great article! I feel braver now.
Rhonda, Santa Monica, CA
Posted: 5/13/2008 8:59:56 AM
Great Article! You can also band a horses mane with a tool called a Band-It. You can get it at Valley Vet.com. It works so... good. Belive me! And its cheap and fast!
Layton, Glendive, MT
Posted: 5/11/2008 12:57:03 PM
View Current Comments

Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email:

Horse Illustrated
Buy Now
Young Rider
Buy Now
Horses USA
Buy Now
 


Hi my name's Natoma

Visit the Photo Gallery to
cast your vote!