Help with plaiting please

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Tetleyteabag

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Hiya, I'm after some advice please. I have a yearling who hates having his mane plaited, I bred him myself so know his full history so know its nothing from his past, I used to brush and play with his mane all the time with no issues but since I have cut it short he hates me touching it. I'm showing him this year and its taking me hours to plait him, has anyone had this happen to them before and has anyone got any tips to make it easier as I'm at a loss 😔x
 
Try getting someone else to hold him whilst you plait.

We have a mare who is difficult to plait and won't stand still unless someone is stroking her nose and playing with her lips. Just gives her something to think about.

Other than that, I agree with mandwhy. Food is always a good one!
 
Do you only plait when going to a show?

If so then plait at other times - this all may be apprehension/anticipation or maybe the plaits have been to tight and made her uncomfortable.

I do find feed works well - but them mine are part Clydesdale so food keeps them happy no matter what you do.
 
Thanks guys, I've tried food, haynets, licks and none of them work, I can brush and play with his mane all week but as soon as I raise both hands to his mane as if to plait he turns into a stroppy head shaking fool lol, I can get half done if someone scratches his wither but this wears off once we reach the top half :/ x
 
Tetleyteabag said:
Hiya, I'm after some advice please. I have a yearling who hates having his mane plaited, I bred him myself so know his full history so know its nothing from his past, I used to brush and play with his mane all the time with no issues but since I have cut it short he hates me touching it. I'm showing him this year and its taking me hours to plait him, has anyone had this happen to them before and has anyone got any tips to make it easier as I'm at a loss 😔x
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Have you thought of a french braid??? till he matures????
 
Tetleyteabag said:
Hiya, I'm after some advice please. I have a yearling who hates having his mane plaited, I bred him myself so know his full history so know its nothing from his past, I used to brush and play with his mane all the time with no issues but since I have cut it short he hates me touching it. I'm showing him this year and its taking me hours to plait him, has anyone had this happen to them before and has anyone got any tips to make it easier as I'm at a loss ��x
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You cut his mane (sacrilege)! Do you mean you pulled his mane? Many horses object to this and once they have had it done think if are going to pull it again and start chucking their head up when you go near their mane.

My stallion is very good about having his mane pulled but I really do only take a few hairs at a time, most of the time he doesn't seem to notice me doing it. I never push it and always stop when he tells me he's had enough. It makes me cringe when I see people ripping great chunks of mane out.
 
For any horse I've had who has been a problem I have cross tied them to limit movement... Within a few sessions like this they soon realise that a) they can't fling themselves around and strop, and b) I'm not doing anything nasty to them... All I've used this method on have relaxed and become more accepting of being plaited to the point that I don't have to cross tie them anymore.
 
The other thing is to start at the top and work down, and see if that helps. Reg hates his mane being plaited/ brushed, but if I start at the top and work down he doesn't get in such a tizz. And when he does, the movement in the lower part of their neck is much more limited than near their head!
 
Lolo you have reminded me that I am sure I was taught to start at top and work down the mane, your explanation makes sense. Strange how we just carry on doing things for a life time without really questioning why.
OP hope this helps sort your problem. You should probably do forelock before trouble starts as well.
 
Sometimes you just have to find out what they'll accept and work with it - says the owner of the pony who will only be plaited if you do his tail first, then the top five plaits, then take his headcollar off and let him wander about a bit, then catch him and do his last few plaits and only attempt his forelock actually at a show. Done like this he is an absolute doddle and stands beautifully. Try and do anything different and you haven't a hope in hell.
 
I cut his mane with scissors to take off the length then tidied it with a solo comb so it's not through pulling ( I can't pull anyway cos I just can't bring myself to pull the hair out lol). He's always hated his mane being tidy so I think he's just protesting at looking like a pretty boy lol. Thanks everyone, I'll try cross tying and next time I'll start from the top and see what happens, oh and he's fine for me to do his forelock x
 
Tetleyteabag said:
I cut his mane with scissors to take off the length then tidied it with a solo comb so it's not through pulling ( I can't pull anyway cos I just can't bring myself to pull the hair out lol). He's always hated his mane being tidy so I think he's just protesting at looking like a pretty boy lol. Thanks everyone, I'll try cross tying and next time I'll start from the top and see what happens, oh and he's fine for me to do his forelock x
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Make sure when you cross tie, there is tension on either side so minimal room for movement. :) good luck :)
 
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