Many years ago, when I was between contracts as a research psychologist, I spent a couple of summers braiding hunters and equitation horses throughout the wee small hours of the night. There was nothing a braider hated more than dealing with the next horse on the list and facing a mane that was far too long and thick to ever become the expected row of 35 to 40 tiny uniform braids running along the horse’s neck. The mane would have to be pulled before being braided, guaranteeing that the horse would be made as uncomfortable as possible – a long pulling session resulting in a tender scalp which would then be tied into tiny, tight knots for the next 24 hours or longer.
Until we abolish the fashion of the typical North American braids sported in the hunter and equitation divisions, pulling will be necessary. Having spent many of my younger years as a professional groom, I know that there are ways to pull a mane that cause less distress than others. Keeping the mane “hunter braids ready” continuously, by doing little bits often, (after a ride when the horse is sweaty and the pores are open), pulling only a few hairs at each pull (no comb wrapping and yanking please), moving from withers to poll rather than vice-versa, and using combined reinforcement – a combination of rewarding by removing something aversive, (negative or removal reinforcement) and simultaneously rewarding with treats (positive reinforcement) can make mane pulling more bearable.
Ronan seems to find his comb-and-scissor trim courtesy of Elena Lauren quite relaxing! (Alison King photo)
Often a horse’s reactivity to mane pulling is based on a prior history of a more brutal approach, which can be turned around with less painful pulling and systematic combined reinforcement training (see below).