Braiders

The mane is the hair that grows from the top of the animal's neck, reaching from the poll to the withers, and includes the forelock. It is often thicker and coarser than the rest of the horse's coat, and may grow very long. more...

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Some horses, such as those used in circuses or in mounted displays such as Cavalia, have manes down to their knees. In the wild, however, the mane usually does not get that long because it is broken or ripped out at different times.

The mane is thought to help water run off the neck should it rain. It is also possible that is provides some fly protection, although the tail is usually the first defense against flies.

Grooming

The mane is groomed in various ways, depending on the riding style of the rider. There are four ways to keep the mane: natural, pulled, braided/plaited (English-style riding), or banded (Western-style riding). The groom may also roach/hog the mane (shave it off down to the neck). The length of the mane's bridle path is also dependent on the discipline or breed of the horse, and is important to consider when grooming a horse for competition.

Discipline

Pleasure riding: usually the mane is kept natural or pulled, as preferred by the rider.; Hunt seat: the mane is pulled to about 4 inches, and braided with \"hunter braids\" for all important competition (usually on the right side). When the mane is braided, the forelock should also be braided.; Show jumping: the mane may be braided (usually with \"button braids\", although a nicely pulled mane is acceptable (about 3.5-5 inches in length). The forelock may or may not be braided.; Dressage: the mane is pulled to 3.5-5 inches and braided for all recognized competition, braiding is seen on either side of the neck. The forlock is sometimes left unbraided.; Eventing: pulled to about 3.5-5 inches. Braided for dressage with \"knob\" or \"button braids\" (although not always at the lower levels). Usually left unbraided for cross-country, as the rider may need to grab it. May be braided for stadium (usually at the higher levels).; Western pleasure: banded; Reining: usually natural, forelock may be braided.; Stock seat Equitation: usually pulled to 3.5-4.5\" and banded on the left side. May also be left natural.; Saddle seat: Natural, although a few long braids are permitted, styling varies according to breed. Three-gaited saddlebreds have roached manes; in five-gaited saddlebreds the mane is left long, with a long bridle path.; Fox hunting: pulled to about 4\" and braided (usually on the right side); Combined driving: Usually styled according to breed. Pulled and braided for sport horses.; Polo: roached, to keep it out of the way of the mallet.; Flat racing or Steeplechase: either nicely pulled, or braided; Harness Racing: pulled; Endurance riding: usually left natural, although it varies according to breed;

Read more at Wikipedia.org