How-To Horse Grooming - Roaching Manes

Photo by JCAndalusians.com

Why Roach or Hog?

• A horse’s job will often dictate their turnout. Polo ponies and some field hunters are usually roached so that the mane doesn’t interfere with high-speed play and lots of tack and reins.

• A horse’s breeding may also come into play. For example, some saddlebreds have partially roached manes and forelocks. Some Appys look best when roached to tame the wayward and wispy hairs.

• There may also be instances where hair interferes with medication application, making roaching a useful option to enhance the effectiveness and ease of topical medications.

• Many horses are roached to facilitate finding and removing ticks.

Skin conditions around the mane to consider

• You may also have a horse with medical reasons that necessitate roaching. A skin infection, sweet itch, a surgical site, laceration repair, or even lice infestation may remove all or part of the mane. Roach that baby to bring some continuity to your horse’s top line!

• Sweet itch is an insect bite hypersensitivity that causes severe itching, and horses will often scratch themselves so desperately that sores may open up.

Read more about sweet itch in this formal yet easy-to-read paper.

• Mites that create mange are another problem, and often reside in the mane. Psoroptic and sarcoptic mites are two types of parasites that develop lesions around the hair and into the skin.

Read more about mites here.

• It’s also interesting to note that science has also found mane and tail hair to be quite different from each other in some aspects, but both mane and tail hair resemble sheep’s wool.

Read that study here.

Photo by Lisa B.

When Roaching Manes is a Bad Idea

• You are removing some of your horse’s fly control, unless you were one of the many sparsely maned Appys I knew growing up, in which case, there was none to start.

• The mane also serves as a means of creating braids, which are traditional in many disciplines in the show ring. Many of us don’t show, so that may not apply. Also, note that it’s rare for a show organization to require braids in the show ring.

• For those of us who have ever taken a horseback riding lesson, you may recall hearing the phrase “grab mane”. Roaching won’t allow this, so a bucking strap on the saddle is a good alternative to grabbing the mane.

• Polo horses often have a tuft of mane that remains long near the wither. This may be a suitable option to “grab mane.”

• You can also skip hogging if you don’t want to, or if there is no benefit to your horse.

Pick the Best Clippers or Trimmers

• Smaller clippers may offer more control and work best for shorter and thinner hair. Trimmers are appropriate here. It’s quite handy to have a cordless version to avoid getting yourself tangled in the cord.

• For thicker manes, opt for a body clipper. You will need more power, which makes getting through that forest of a mane easier. Body clippers do come in cordless versions, too.

• For wildly thick hair, you can use shears. These ultra-powerful clippers are fast and wide.

• Make sure you are using sharp blades. A #10 blade is just about right for roaching. Anything closer, like a #30 or #40, won’t leave any hair.

• You can also use clipper combs or guards to keep the blade a bit off the skin.

• Oil those blades! Before you start, lube up your clippers or trimmers with clipper oil and reapply every five minutes as you are working.

This horse’s mane is usually roached, here it has grown out a bit. And straight up.

Prep Work for Roaching Manes 

• It’s just like body clipping! Start with a clean and conditioned horse.

• In the summer, a bath with your favorite horse shampoo does the trick. You can add a conditioner and rinse it if you like, as long as any residue is gone from the hair.

• In the winter, groom your horse thoroughly. Use your fingers and grooming gloves to lift any dandruff from under the mane.

• Follow up with a no-rinse shampoo on a damp rag to remove any dirt from the hair in cold weather. This takes time and effort, but it will save your clipper blades from certain destruction. The cleaner the hair, the easier it is for roaching manes, and the finished product will be perfect.

• Regardless of the season, consider using a grooming oil or sheen product to add extra slickness to the hair. This reduces any tugging, helps the clippers glide, and saves your clipper blades.

Start Roaching at the Withers (Usually)

• It’s best to move your clippers against the general direction of the hair growth. Some horses’ manes point forward, in which case, start by the ears. Otherwise, start at the withers.

• Use a step stool and have a friend help you if necessary.

• If the mane is thick and long, use one hand to hold sections of the mane up and use scissors or your clippers to lop off the bulk.

• Run your blades along the hair. Don’t dig, and think about floating your blades above the crest. Keep the blade at a consistent angle as you work your way up the neck.

• Use caution as you approach the ears while roaching the mane, and remember – it all grows back!

Enhace the topline

• Give your horse a more rounded topline by clipping the hair shorter at the poll and withers and longer in the middle. This sculpting creates the illusion of a thicker neck.