Banding a mane

[minskeep]

Ive never actually banded a mane before and I dont know how thick the sections should be. My mare has an average mane, not to thick but not too thin. Any tips for getting this done quickly on a show day? I have a slinky and plan on using that to keep her mane on one side but I wont have a lot of time to fix her mane in the morning(show starts at 9am). Do bands stay in pretty well over night?

Her mane does get a little thinner towards the bridle path, how do i blend that in with the rest of her mane so it looks even?

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/minskeep/DSC_0018.jpg

[vicklynn]

When I did Citys, I did about a 1 inch area.
There may be regulations if your showing, I have NO clue on that.
If your just doing it for fun, I dont think it matters.

[WashingtonBay]

The more the better. If you aren't sure it will be ~perfect~ use black bands. Colored accent bands are for perfect banding jobs on perfect necks.

Her mane looks nicely ready to band. Should come out good. As close together and even as you can get. Wouldn't hurt to do it once ahead of time to see how it goes.

[minskeep]

thanks thats helpful. im new to qh showing. this was my first time i have even pulled a mane. i wasnt even sure if it was good enough.

[WashingtonBay]

If it's super thin at the top, I might sneak in a longer shaved bridle path for some of it.

If you go to a tack shop, you may find banding combs like this:

http://fancytack.org/Plastic%20Banding%20Braiding%20Comb%2065901.JPG
If you plunge that into the mane, right at the root, and leave it there while you band those sections, then move it down, you will end up with perfect, even bands. Or you can take a regular plastic mane comb (or human hair pick) and cut off every other tooth, and you'll end up with about the same thing ;)

[Equine_Woman]

If it's super thin at the top, I might sneak in a longer shaved bridle path for some of it.

If you go to a tack shop, you may find banding combs like this:

http://fancytack.org/Plastic%20Banding%20Braiding%20Comb%2065901.JPG
If you plunge that into the mane, right at the root, and leave it there while you band those sections, then move it down, you will end up with perfect, even bands. Or you can take a regular plastic mane comb (or human hair pick) and cut off every other tooth, and you'll end up with about the same thing ;)

Don't do a bridle path any longer than her ear laid back on her neck.

As for size, yes, that comb WB posted is the right size. We always band the night before and they sleep in a sleezy. It helps them lay down a little better. . .(not a miracle thing, so be sure to pull down as you band. . .it's important!) Banding is part of show turnout no matter how crazy it is. . . It's my least favorite part of showing. My friend Danna and I stand there and talk about life while I hold the top and bottom part of the mane down and hand her rubber bands and the brush. . .then we switch after 30 minutes. .. lol.