Materials:
-Rubber Horse Bands that match your horses mane color
-Mane Clip
-Comb
-Mane Brush
-Damp Sponge

1)As always first gather all your materials. Then begin brushing out you horses mane with your horses Mane brush. I personally LOVE my little green Conair brush. Remember when you get to knots in the mane detangle them with your fingers. After you finish going over it once I like to go over it again really quick just to make sure, especially if your going to band your horses mane for a show.

2)Staring at the poll of your horse separate a one inch section of mane. Then use the hair clip to keep the other hair out of the way.

3)Proceed by pulling downward on the one inch section wrap the rubber band tightly around the section. Make sure when your wrapping that you don't at any pointing time raise the mane. If you do anything but pull down the mane, it will stand up. If the mane is laying flat on the horse's neck continue down the mane, and stop about 2 1/2 inches from the end of the withers.

4)When your done, dampen the mane with the wet sponge to keep the hair laying down.

Remove the bands when the hair starts to stand up, or come undone. Don't cut the rubber bands, pull them off, or unwrap them. You must stretch the rubber bands with your fingers until they snap. This method does not break the mane. Reband as needed.

Tips on Banding

When Banding the mane secure your horse in the cross ties and stand on a mounting block, or if you feel secure enough stand on a muck bucket, one that will not move though. This will help you with seeing the mane and give you more leverage to pull down and band. Be careful if your horse moves around a lot that he doesn't knock you off the bucket or mounting block. (I prefer the mounting block.)

Place your rubber bands on the end of your lead rope, so both of your hands are free, and you only have to grab the end of your lead rope for the next rubber band.

When you break the rubber bands out of your horses mane place vet wrap around your fingers the vet wrap will pretty much wiggle around and find the spot where you place your rubber bands on your fingers. I recommend loosely wrapping the two index fingers, and the two thumbs. Unless you plan on using other fingers when breaking wrap those too. I only use my index fingers and thumbs. By wrapping your fingers, it won't sting when the rubber band breaks.

Finally, try and wear pants with an elastic waist, and a baggy shirt. This way, you can tuck your brush into your pants. When you stick your tools in your pockets, sometimes the fall out of your pockets. Then you can use the shirt for clipping the mane clip while you are gathering mane.

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