Cut a Horse’s Mane with Scissors — The Right Way

Sometimes you just can’t pull your horse’s mane. Maybe it’s already very thin, or your horse simply hates it (and let’s be honest, some do). Luckily, there’s a way to trim a horse’s mane with scissors and still have it look natural, tidy, and show-ready. Here’s how cut a horse’s mane with scissors without making it look like you used garden shears:

Step-by-step guide to cutting a horse’s mane with scissors:

1️⃣ Brush the mane thoroughly
Remove all tangles so the hair lays flat and even.

2️⃣ Hold your scissors at about a 45-degree angle
Think about pointing your scissors toward 10:00 on a clock face. This helps create a natural, feathered edge instead of a blunt, choppy line.

3️⃣ Make gradual cuts
Start with bigger snips to remove the bulk. As you get closer to the desired length, switch to smaller, lighter cuts.

4️⃣ Brush the mane between passes
Brushing helps the hair settle so you can see where more trimming is needed.

5️⃣ For extra feathering
Tilt your scissors even more — around 11:00 or 11:30 — and make a few gentle snips to soften the edge.

💡 Pro tip: Leave the mane slightly longer than you think you need. You can always trim more later, but you can’t put it back once it’s gone!

Why this works

Cutting at an angle breaks up the straight edge and mimics the look of a pulled mane. If you cut a horse’s mane with scissors it’s quick, horse-friendly, and keeps your horse looking neat without drama. With a little practice, trimming your horse’s mane with scissors becomes quick, stress-free, and keeps your horse looking show-ready all year.