Why Spanish Horses Have Clipped Manes

Clipping of the mane, also known as “roaching” is a foolproof cure for that unruly mane when all else fails. Perhaps that’s why it’s so popular with Spanish horses – a horse breed known for it’s abundant mane and tail.

Imagine owning a herd of 100 or so mares with manes dragging through the pastures day in and day out. How mangy would that herd look!

That’s why it’s common practice for Spanish horse breeders to clip the manes off their mares. They often keep large herds of mares at pasture whose main function is to produce a foal crop each year. There were even some Gitano groups in Spain that were famous for clipping horses and mules with shearing scissors, thus improving the animal’s appearance. There is a practical reason for keeping the base of the mares’ tail shaved off as well – to help keep the mare’s tail cleaner and out of the way for breeding and foaling.

Does Clipping the Mane Make the Hair Come in Thicker?

Some people believe that clipping a young horse’s mane and tail will “make it come in thicker”. Whether there is any scientific proof to this, I don’t know. But clipping the tail off does make the youngster suddenly appear to have larger hindquarters. And it is harder to hide conformation faults on totally clipped yearlings.

Can Clipping Improve My Horse’s Appearance?

Most certainly clipping the mane on a young horse can improve his or her appearance. However, in the United States, buyers are not often used to such a clean look on Andalusian horses. You will have to weigh the pros and cons of clipping your own horses. Here are some points to consider:

• Young Andalusian horses typically have straight necks;
• Colts have not yet grown the large arched neck that they will get as

stallions; and

• Mares take a while to mature and fill in their neck.

By clipping the mane in an arch, the seller or breeder can give the horse a more mature and lovely appearance. However, it does sacrifice the lovely look that Spanish horses have with a full mane and tail.

Andalusians are Not The Only Horse Breeds With Clipped Manes Pure Spanish Horses and Lusitanos are not the only equine breeds to have their manes clipped. Donkeys and mules are clipped in a similar fashion.

Draft mules and other drafts may have their manes roached. A mule’s tail clipped in the “Spanish way” is called a “belled tail”. The Norwegian Fjord is always shown with a clipped mane so that it will stand erect. The Fjord’s mane is trimmed in a characteristic crescent shape to emphasize the graceful curve of the neck The white outer hair is then trimmed slightly shorter than the dark inner hair to display the dramatic dark stripe. South American criollos often have their manes clipped.

Roaching can also enhance the appearance of a horse’s conformation.

Saddlebred 3-gaited horses are shown with a clipped mane and partially clipped tail. The roached mane helps accentuate the long slender neck characteristic of the breed.

Why Would A Riding Horse Need Its Mane Clipped?

Functionality and the horse’s “job” play a role in whether a horse’s mane is clipped or not. Working stock horses often have roached manes as prevention against burrs, sticks, and other debris they are exposed to daily. Police patrol horses and barrel racing horses may have their manes cut to avoid getting them tangled in the reins. Roping horses may have their manes roached to keep them out of the ropes. Dressage horse owners keep their horse’s tails thinned out at the top and keep them banged. English and western horse owners keep their horse’s manes “pulled” for easier braiding.

Polo ponies’ manes, forelocks, and the tops of the tails are clipped. The manes is clipped to keep the horse cooler and there is less interference for reins, whips, martingales, etc. It also makes the polo ponies’ necks look leaner and more athletic.

However, there are disadvantages to clipping the mane off the horse you will be riding. Riding any horse without a mane can make your seat a bit less secure since there is nothing to grab onto “just in case” you’re about to have a spill. Polo riders solve this problem by leaving a patch of hair unshaved near the withers called the “Oh God” patch.