Best/safest way to do my hair for riding?

T

Thelwell_Girl

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Inspired by another user's post.

What is the best/safest way to put my hair back for riding/being around the yard?

Currently, I ride with two pigtail plaits in - apparently a big no-no! :eek::o

So... How else can I actually tame the mane, so to speak?!

When last measured was around 2ft long, which on a shortie like me is, when its straight, down to my waist!

Have tried a hairnet with little success... (Also would feel a right wally as no-one else on the entire yard/RS wears them... However, safety comes before looks.)

What about a single plait, like this?

TG xx
 
hairnets are for people who work in chip shops! can you try you fold it/scrunch it/roll it into an approximation of a bun (or bread roll at 2ft long, cripes!:D) that sits in the nape of your neck? At least while you ride...
 
I just tie mine back in a ponytail and it kindof hides in my hat.

Since yours is really long couldn't you tuck it into your top or find some way of putting it in a low bun?

I have absolutely no idea of Hair Safety though, it doesn't seem to be a widely discussed topic.
 
When I had long hair - and like you I had quite a lot of it - I used to do one long plait down my back, then roll the plait up from the bottom. Put a couple of hair bands over it and you have an instant bun without any pins.
 
lucemoose said:
hairnets are for people who work in chip shops! .
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What on earth makes you think that?

OP Any good tack shop will stock hairnets in a range of shades to suit your hair.
Traditionally ladies should put their hair in a bun and then net it. False buns are available for those with short hair. If your hair is very long - double-net it.

Whatever is wrong with doing things correctly?
 
Whats up with the pigtails? is it incase they get caught? :confused:

whayt about one big pleat, fold it in half, fold it in half again, and wrap a bouble round the middle, wont look pretty but wont get caught.

I ride with my hair down most times. Its shoulder lenght and annoys me if in a bouble.
 
Thank you for the replies, all!

Pearlsasinger - there's certainly nothing wrong with it, just that tis not very comfortable for me!

alainax - I have had quite a few users warn me that my Famous Flying Plaits could very well get me scalped :eek:

ETA: I like the idea of the one big plait, then fold it. Will have to find some BIG bands!
 
I don't subscribe to the anti plait theory. However you do it, it *could* get caught, somehow. Then again if you land on a fence it probably won't be the biggest worry. Life's to short to worry about what ifs. It's not like you're riding around with massive hoop earrings in or something. I ride in a scarf (tucked into my coat) in the winter. It *could* get caught and strangle me, but then so might whatever top i happen to be wearing at the time.

sorry... bit of a rant there :p :o
 
lucemoose said:
hairnets are for people who work in chip shops! can you try you fold it/scrunch it/roll it into an approximation of a bun (or bread roll at 2ft long, cripes!:D) that sits in the nape of your neck? At least while you ride...
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What utter twaddle!

To the OP, as some one who has had waist length hair in the past, currently with hair to bottom of shoulder blades (when straight), also have very very 'fat' hair :D The best way to deal with the thicket, is: plait hair in single plait, wind plait rounditself, as to make a bun. Put first hairnet round wound plait, put hair elastic round net and base of plait, put seond net over all, with bobbly bit of net at front and back, put hat on. :D If this does not feel secure enough (should do, but belt and braces) use blunt ended clips to hold first net on, at top of base of plait, so hidden by hat. This is neat, and SAFE the chances of it getting caught are very slim.
I was given strict instructions to double net, whent hunting.
 
somethingorother said:
I don't subscribe to the anti plait theory. However you do it, it *could* get caught, somehow. Then again if you land on a fence it probably won't be the biggest worry. Life's to short to worry about what ifs. It's not like you're riding around with massive hoop earrings in or something. I ride in a scarf (tucked into my coat) in the winter. It *could* get caught and strangle me, but then so might whatever top i happen to be wearing at the time.

sorry... bit of a rant there :p :o
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I love my plaits! They dont get in my way.

However...

Every lesson report, someone will say 'Do your hair, or you'll get scalped'. Tis getting to me!

yorksG said:
What utter twaddle!

To the OP, as some one who has had waist length hair in the past, currently with hair to bottom of shoulder blades (when straight), also have very very 'fat' hair :D The best way to deal with the thicket, is: plait hair in single plait, wind plait rounditself, as to make a bun. Put first hairnet round wound plait, put hair elastic round net and base of plait, put seond net over all, with bobbly bit of net at front and back, put hat on. :D If this does not feel secure enough (should do, but belt and braces) use blunt ended clips to hold first net on, at top of base of plait, so hidden by hat. This is neat, and SAFE the chances of it getting caught are very slim.
I was given strict instructions to double net, when hunting.
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Thank you :) I will try and do this next pony week, as it does look very smart!
 
I put it in a pony tail or pony tail twisted into a bun.
Hair nets are of course correct,but not the only option-yet to meet anyone who has come to grief because of their hair.


Do you sit on yours? Mine was stupidly long when I was a kid(mother would not let me cut it) and sitting on it was the most painfull thing in the world! :o
Might explain why the feeling of panic when it gets past my soulders now :D
 
I said this aages ago as part of my horsey sayings/ myths thread didn't I!?! I remember your horrified reply ;)

I used to wear my hair in a plait with bobbles down the length (so it didn't fly about) but hated it. The plait works a lot lot better!

I found a less time consuming method in the end though... I chopped my hair off to just about down to my bra strap ;) Now I just wear it in a low ponytail for everyday riding.
 
Yunalesca said:
I put it in a pony tail or pony tail twisted into a bun.
Hair nets are of course correct,but not the only option-yet to meet anyone who has come to grief because of their hair.


Do you sit on yours? Mine was stupidly long when I was a kid(mother would not let me cut it) and sitting on it was the most painfull thing in the world! :o
Might explain why the feeling of panic when it gets past my soulders now :D
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Hehe, I have decided that when I can sit on it, i will get a proper side fringe cut in!

E_Lister said:
I said this aages ago as part of my horsey sayings/ myths thread didn't I!?! I remember your horrified reply ;)

I used to wear my hair in a plait with bobbles down the length (so it didn't fly about) but hated it. The plait works a lot lot better!

I found a less time consuming method in the end though... I chopped my hair off to just about down to my bra strap ;) Now I just wear it in a low ponytail for everyday riding.
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What?! I could NOT chop my plaits off!

I cut my hair down to shoulder length in year 6... It was NOT a good look at all. Cue fuzzy mushroom head for a couple of years :o
 
Sanolly said:
The main safety issue is that if you fall off the pony could stand on your hair. Could you do a french plait then roll the bottom into a bun?
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Cant do french plaits :o

I might try doing one normal plait and then folding it and securing, so I can un-fold it when I finish riding.
 
thelwell_girl said:
Cant do french plaits :o

I might try doing one normal plait and then folding it and securing, so I can un-fold it when I finish riding.
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Sounds like a plan to me!

I have long hair too - plait it, double it up, double it up again & secure at the nape of my neck. Bit like plaiting the horse ;)

Plus, if you're going anywhere after riding, you can take the plait out & have natural-look wavy hair, to help disguise the sweaty hat-hair look. Always a bonus! :D
 
My hair is MEGA thick and, currently, the longest it has been since I was a child. Probably at least as long as yours - I just twizzle (highly technical word!!) it into a bun and put a thick hair elastic round it. Simples :)

If you did, at some point, fancy having short hair again try asking a hairdresser if they will thin it out for you - I had a lot of the bulk taken out of mine when it was short and it makes it so much more manageable and less...rebellious.. I bought a pair of thinning scissors and do it myself now, but you need to know what you're doing before you attack it...
 
My hair isn't quite as long as yours TG, but not too far off! I do one of two things with it...

Put hairnet on as normal (covering all loose hair, so hair is tucked up inside it), then tie it back with a hair band to create a netted ponytail.

If you don't like the hairnet, pull it back into a ponytail, double it (twice if necessary) and secure with a band (I use one band as my hair is quite thin). Creates a sort of bun without the hassle of winding it round. Doesn't look particularly neat but serves a purpose.
 
When Monkeybum was in pony club she wasn't allowed to jump with hair in a plait/pigtail/loose. Not sure if this was a branch or HQ rule. The frightner to ensure you tied up your hair was the threat of scalping if pony stood on hair or it got caught in a jump when falling. She rolls it up into a bun in the nape of her neck and then nets.
 
Hi TG!

I have really long hair, MUCH longer than yours!!! I'm tall and last year before II had it cut for my wedding it was down to the bottom of my bum! I had over a foot cut off, to take it to just above my waist, and it had all grown back in about a year so I had another drastic hair cut a couple of months ago (I'm not very good at remembering regular trims, and my hair grows fast without getting endy and ratty so it doesn't look like it needs a trim), it is currently just below my waist.

My instructor (the one that had the toilet tip about jumpig position) told me off for leaving my hair in my usual low pony tail for riding as she had actually seen someone get their hair caught on their saddle in a fall and end up loosing a chunk of their scalp. :eek:

I have trouble with hairnets as my hair is long thick and heavy and they never hold it all in. I can't tuck it in my hat as there isn't room and a bun is uncomfortable and pushes my hat up at the back.

YorkSG is spot on for shows, that is what I do, although I will not under any circumstances use any clips or grips when riding in case of a fall. Just fabric covered elastics!

For everyday, I tend to stick with a low pony tail but loop it back on itself once, so it isn't flapping too much and so I don't sit on it in rising trot (ouchie) the better solution is to do one plait from the nape of your neck and fold it back on itself a few times and pop a bobble round it.

Don't french plait it as it will affect the fit of your hat, I'd have to go up a hat size to fit a french plait in, and my head is big enough without!

Buy lots and lots of bobbles without metal bits on them - best place is Claire's Accessories!
 
I wouldn't wear a net for normal riding :rolleyes: Out and about always but not hacking/at home- I usually just have a folded over and round pony tail into a sort of bun, using closest available thing, ie plaitting bands :p
 
Plait it, band it about 3 times, and stick it under a few layers of clothing! :p I quite often forget to find my hair under my hoodie, so it stays there. It's long and heavy enough!! Still haven't dared try it competing yet, but I'm thinking my stock should help it stay down :p

I couldn't have it in a bun every day... kills me when I have to do it for dressage. I have to plait (the plait is about the thickness of one of my skinny wrists o.o) then double it, band it. Double it again, band it. Put hairnet over the lot and tightly band the hairnet to the whole lot, then shove my hat on! Makes my neck ache :/ Plus its a pain to actually do all that although it sounds simple enough!
 
Plait it/ or tie in a scrunchie and roll into a bun.
I used to have really long hair so it was always in a bun.
If your hair is thick stick a hairnet over the top - you won't look like you work in a chip shop, you'll look classy ;)

The danger is if you fall, pony stands on your hair, then you're in trouble so a single plait won't make any difference!
 
havent read all the posts (i know, i am so lazy, but i'm at work and my boss is watching me....)

but you could totally tie your plaits together behind your head and that would tidy them up a bit? not like tie them like a bow, but band them together?
 
Bloody hell just tie it up....my hair is about the same length as yours and I just put it in a bun at the back of my neck....!
 
I always just twisted my very long hair into a bun at the nape of my neck, quick and easy!

Slightly off topic but if anyone is thinking of chopping off more than about 10" of long hair then please consider donating the ponytail to one of the charities who use them to make/buy wigs for cancer patients and alopecia sufferers. I did it recently and it was really easy- ponytail of clean hair, snip snip, and off in the post to them, job done! :)
 
This may be just me, but I find really long hair a bit creepy... Just my opinion though!

Especially if you're short and it's dangling most of the way down your back, why not hack a bit off? It's probably making you look shorter, not taller!
 
Ohhh details please Laura!

Though, not sure I could get it cut still in a ponytail........

I could probably manage 10" fairly regularly if I made the effort to wait until it is REALLY long to have it cut...... my mum hates it when I do that though because she doesn't like cutting big chunks off. And it feels dead strange when it has been down past your bum and all of a sudden it is just below your bra!

I've offered it to DH as a Toupee in the past but he wasn't keen, just because his remaining tufts are blonde and mine's dark brown, the ungrateful swine!
 
Just cut it off!!! Short hair is far far easier lol

When mine was long it was always in a bun, and it was below my waist. So glad I had it chopped though, my long hair was making me look far younger than I am, and not in a good way.
 
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