expert tail plaiters please

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canteron

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I am taking my horse to its first show this weekend and my instructor is insisting I plait the tail.

Had quick practice this morning, but does anyone know of any good references for tail plaiting.

It is OK for about the first 6inches or so but as I get further down the tail there just seems too much hair and I can't keep it neat.

Do you really have to plait right down to the end of the dock.

Not at all worried about the showing bit - but if my instructor catches me with a badly plaited tail (letting my horse down) I am in the *****.

Thanks!!
 
i'm not an expert as i haven't plaited a tail for years, but i used to be ace at it!
try taking a really small amount from the side every time, this way you won't end up with fistfulls you need to get rid of somehow! you only need enough to keep it tidy, about 5mm width, no more.
don't do it too tight though or your horse might move tight behind...!
 
surely she cant rant if youve had a go ! Usually you plait down to the end of dock however im sure half way down for a first go would be good ! I use hair mousse when plaiting manes and tails as it holds well. I saw somewhere once that you can use egg white just as good. It can be real tricky if the hair at the top of the dock is too short. Im sure you will be fine.
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second what kerilli says you just have to take really small amounts from the side to stop it getting too thick
 
kerilli is right about not too tight (but needs to be quite tight or else looks blergh!)

Crazymare can give you some references Im pretty sure......

I cant remember what mine is (i just pull my tails now! hehe
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can you french braid hair? its EXACTLY the same!

you should plait all the way to the end of the dock, but if your horse has a long dock then just do most of hte way down or else it looks odd.......

Can you not just pull the top of your horses tail to neaten it up? Guess it depends which class you are in
 
I plait my friends tail when she does showing (which is near enough every weekend!!) and TBH its just practice, but here are a few tips:

1. Only take small sections of hair at a time, and I mean SMALL! I mean pencil thin, no bigger. This will prevent the middle of the plait from getting too big too soon, and as you work down, take slightly smaller sections as this will also help.

2. HAIR SPRAY!! Before I take a section, I spray it with hair spray (along the side of the tail) this helps grip the hair with your fingers and also keeps the sections in place as you plait. You can get stuff specifically for this, but any good hair spray is just as good!

3. When you wash the tail, DO NOT put conditioner in the part you are plaiting, this makes it very slippery!

4. Plait when the hair is damp, not dry, again this makes gripping easier.

5. Stand on a chair/tack box to start, and try not to pull the plait towards you as this will make the sides baggy when it lays flat against the tail.

6. HAIRSPRAY - Once finished, spray with hairspray and bandage ASAP - this helps keep in place and stops the horse from catching it!

7. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!

Good luck!
 
Try to get the tail washed towards the start of the week so it isn't greasy but don't put any coat shine/conditioner near it else it'll be too slippy to get a good grip! Hair gel works wonders for pushing those stray hairs down too
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Other than that, small sections of hair, and practice practice practice.

Hope you have fun
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Hey, thanks everyone some really good tips there, just off to drag horsie in from the field to subject him to another hairdo -luckily he is the patient type.

Thanks!!

PS This horse now has a bigger hair wardrobe than me - !!
 
I'm lazy for plaiting the SJer but when I'm turning out the racehorses they all get their tails done - not much fun at stupid am in minus 3' conditions lol! Unless the tail is REALLY grubby I try to only shampoo the bottom bit (ie the bit that won't be in the plait) as clean hair is slippery and doesn't 'grip' well. I always try to picture the plait as a 'cage' around the tail as it looks a lot neater than all the hair being incorporated. Start as high up as you can whilst still having enough hair - nothing worse than messy pulled together strands at the top when the rest is neat, and only bring in really small amounts of hair at any one time. If I think the plait is getting a little thick I drop some hairs out of the run before I pull across the next section. I rarely go to the bottom of the tail - usually about 3/4 of the way down. Hope that all makes sense!
 
Same as others but I only go 3/4 way down dock.

Also if you put tail bandage on unravel it off not pull off or you will be cursing!!
 
The only thing I'd add to all the above is that it is possible to 'lose' hair as you proceed down the dock to prevent the overall effect getting too bulky. Just be careful that you don't drop the new bit you've just brought across from the side but if you're careful you can drop out some of the old, which will be held in place by the plait, and incorporate it back into the main body of the tail.
Spider's as a baby.....
Spiderstail-1.jpg
 
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