This message is from: "Meredith Sessoms" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I read the article <http://fjord.hypermart.net/mail/manes.htm> and was surprised because I trim differently. I trim with a smooth transition from bridle path to mane whereas DeeAnne's article called for a bridlepath notch. To those who know ... is one way Dutch and the other Norwegian ... or one way Western and the other Eastern? I also like to ride bareback and I like at least 8 inches of mane over the wither to grow out ... if I need it I don't want to have to grope for a small swatch, I want a whole handfull!!!!! I got the idea from looking at photos of Dutch stallions like Briggen <http://www.fjordstudbook.com/h-brigge.htm>. But that means, when I cut the mane, I have to eyeball the line of the crest to the line of the withers and guess where to cut, otherwise my downward curve will head for the neck at too sharp an angle. Without the swatch, the mane should blend into the tallest spot on the withers. I will brush the mane before I start with a wet brush if they have rubbed against a tree and bent some hairs, or if the mane is so-o-o long it droops. There are lots of different ways to trim the mane. I trim the whole mane at first ... I do most of it from one side, then neaten up from the other side. I step back often to see what I'm doing, much like an artist with a painting. I even look at it from in front of the horse. I pay attention to my reference points - the bridle path, the high point (which is a little higher on the neck than the middle) and the wither. At first I do the whole mane the Norwegian way, without even looking at the colors. That way, if I lack the gumption or the patience to do the Dutch trim - with the black higher than the white - I can stop at that point and do the Dutch cut on another day. I usually have to come back at a later date and do some major corrections and trim those hairs that I missed the first time anyways. When I do the Dutch cut I use the black as a guide, and cut the white hairs on both sides at about 1/4 to 1/2 inch shorter than the black. Oh ... and be sure to wear gloves!!!!! And be careful to not get those tiny snips in your eyes on a windy day ... believe me, they are like a hard piece of straw, not a bit like an eyelash! Somebody mentioned that the Norwegians brush buttermilk into their mane to make it stand up perfectly for show. I have yet to try this ... has anyone else tried it? Does it work? Meredith Sessoms Soddy-Daisy. Tennessee. USA Dorina & NFR Aagot
