Plaiting is a quick and easy way to create an impressive turnout while enhancing your horse’s neck, balancing their confirmation, and preventing tangles. Whether you are plaiting for show, convenience, or just for fun, here are 7 steps to ensure your plaits are a success!
Step One – Get Brushing!
First off start by brushing your horse’s mane and remove any debris or tangles that are currently present.
Step Two – Trim and Pull (or skip to step three!)
Once your mane is easily brushed through it is time to evaluate if your horse’s mane is too long or too thick to successfully plait. If you feel that your horse could benefit from a quick trim or thinning out, grab your pulling comb and work through the mane removing just a few hairs at a time, continuing to check that everything remains even. Once you are happy with the result, brush the hair flat. (You can read more about how to pull manes here – insert link).
Step Three – Get It Wet!
Time to dampen your horse’s mane with a wet sponge or plaiting spray. This will help smooth out the hairs and help achieve an overall neater plait which is easier to work with.
Step Four – Sectioning
Determine how many plaits you wish to have (traditionally it is an odd number of plaits along the neck, plus a forelock plait), and begin sectioning your horse’s mane into bunches working from the poll down towards the withers. Ensure that the width of your plaits stay even by using your mane comb as reference.
Step Five – Plaiting Time
Begin plaiting the sections starting from your horse’s poll and work your way down towards the withers. Remember to keep the base of the plait closest to your horse’s skin loose to avoid discomfort while ensuring that the length of the plait is tight and neat. Secure your plait with a plaiting band in preparation for the next step.
Step Six – Time To Shape
Time to achieve a neat roll up by taking your braided strip and folding it in half, then half again, wrapping the band around the neatly rolled plait to achieve a show-ready look.
Step Seven – Forelock time
To complete the look we need to ensure that the forelock is just as dapper! Simply plait the length of their forelock and fold in half, then half again, ensuring it is neatly secured with a plaiting band. Remember to trim any loose hairs and use a smidge of fixing product if necessary to get a clean look.