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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 12:34:26 GMT -1
I have a 5 year old Dales mare which I've broken in over the last year. She rubbed all her mane off last summer due to flies but hasn't this year with the help of fly rugs and potions!
However, the more ridden work she does the thinner her mane is getting in front of the saddle, I think my rubber reins as pulling her mane out! Does anyone have experience of this? I'm wondering if laced reins would be better? Considering riding in a hood....
I can't be the only person with a hairy native to have this problem!?!
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Post by jap on Oct 16, 2014 14:34:30 GMT -1
hi, use half rubber reins with the rubber on the mares neck and make sure all the mane is over the reins when you ride.This will still give you grip.
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Post by yanny on Oct 16, 2014 20:01:39 GMT -1
Oh no what an unusual but annoying problem...i second the half rubber reins suggestion, but if not I think the laced reins are a good idea. I have laced reins and I love them; they're almost as easy to grip as rubber and they look so pretty  If all else fails if ld plait her mane before riding. This could be doubly beneficial as it would keep her cooler in hot weather too. That might help. I hope you find a solution before she becomes a baldy!!  |
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Post by harveydales on Oct 17, 2014 5:13:06 GMT -1
I second yanny's suggestion of plaiting. That's what I do with Harvey and Dolly. Having said that, I find that it's rugging and the ponies itching that accounts for most of the hair loss in that region.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 17, 2014 9:13:31 GMT -1
I'd go for plaiting as well as possibly a change of rein style half rubber or what about cotton plaited ones
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Post by newbie on Oct 18, 2014 6:57:48 GMT -1
I have exactly the same problem. I do plait phoebe, but they still fray her mane. Especially when she gets sweaty.
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Post by ikklecob on Oct 18, 2014 17:54:14 GMT -1
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2014 14:27:12 GMT -1
Thanks for the advice guys. We've ridden in the lace reins 3 or 4 times now and there doesn't seem to be any more hair loss, though the bit in front of the saddle is very thin and a tad wispy! It was definitely the reins as I could actually feel the rubber pulling it out!
What kind of plait(s) do people use? I tend to find mine fall out, maybe I'm doing them too loose??
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Post by yanny on Oct 23, 2014 19:47:42 GMT -1
Thanks for the advice guys. We've ridden in the lace reins 3 or 4 times now and there doesn't seem to be any more hair loss, though the bit in front of the saddle is very thin and a tad wispy! It was definitely the reins as I could actually feel the rubber pulling it out! What kind of plait(s) do people use? I tend to find mine fall out, maybe I'm doing them too loose?? If I plait a pony with a long mane I just do basic plaits; I'm lazy and not the best at plaiting manes (or neatness in general, much to many peoples' annoyance! I'm the very opposite of OCD lol!) so I just do normal plaits and tie them quite tightly with those elastic bands you can get for manes. I find even having just basic plaits really helps to keep native types cool. If they keep falling out I'm guessing they are too loose; is it the plait coming undone or the elastic? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2014 8:41:48 GMT -1
I was trying to do a running plait thing but was worried about pulling hairs  out at the roots so was doing it quite loose. Will try tighter individual plaits! Thanks! |
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Oct 25, 2014 11:51:47 GMT -1
Oooo I do like the look of those Stuben plaited reins, think I'll add them to my Xmas list!!  |
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Post by harveydales on Oct 25, 2014 12:00:41 GMT -1
I was trying to do a running plait thing but was worried about pulling hairs out at the roots so was doing it quite loose. Will try tighter individual plaits! Thanks! I do a fairly loose running plait for that very reason. It works for me but maybe depends on the length and thickness of the mane - Harvey's is very long but thin. |
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Post by maesfen on Oct 30, 2014 20:18:16 GMT -1
Have you tried continental web reins as they don't seem to grip any loose hairs and are lovely to use especially if you have small hands; rubber reins are too thick and heavy for me?
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Oct 31, 2014 14:11:22 GMT -1
I need a new pair of reins for Emerald, I find the rubber reins a bit thick and heavy too, so I'm intending to have a good look at what's available at YHL next weekend. I bought her a new bridle this week, I went for a Micklem multi bridle as she's never been completely happy with a bit and I've got the choice to use it as a bitless bridle too, it looks very smart on her so would like some smart new reins to match.
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Post by mikea on Nov 3, 2014 11:37:18 GMT -1
Andrea
I,d be really interested to see how you get on with the Micklem bridle. I,m starting to think about my tack, and had seen some encouraging articles about these bridles. Do they look good on a Dales ? - I was concerned that they might look a bit "lightweight" ? I know that they can be used in BD,BE etc, but someone suggested that although they probably legal for showing, working hunter etc, but that you might get marked down with the overall presentation marks, if they had such a "non-traditional" bridle, as opposed to a "traditional" style. That might be an issue for me if I decided to have a go at either in the future and wanted just one bridle.
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