Mane Plaits - rubber bands or thread?

[ginginandtonic]

Which do you use and why? Pics of your plaits would be good.

I ask because I have only ever plaited using plaiting bands, and I'm thinking it might look nicer doing it properly with thread.... or is it a waste of effort for something that looks the same as when done with a band?

 

[scrumpygus]

I use plaiting bands and tape for dressage. I might use thread if i knew how and it was easier/quicker though. I have never come across anybody yet who uses thread.

 

[chestnut cob]

I think it looks much nicer with thread although I am lazy and always do bands

If I manage to get through to the Trailblazers dressage final next year, I will make an effort and plait with bands for that

I haven't got any pics on my webshots that I can show you of my plaits with bands, and can't remember who did the photography at my last dressage comp to link to the pics.

 

[Kayfm]

I always use thread and always have

 

[ecrozier]

For dressage I think I would use bands but so far with youngster only done in hand shows and always use thread. Older boy is arab so do an arab plait and use band at end of that and tuck under saddlecloth.

 

[Divasmum]

Thread for showing but for dressage bands are fine.

 

[barbaraNcolin]

I band them at the ends and thread them up if that makes sense? I'm not actually very good at plaiting but example below...

That's the most up close one I have.

 

[Double_choc_lab]

I use bands for dressage for thread for any type of showing. I think you can get tighter plaits with thread and if any are a bit wobbly it's easier to sew them straight (i fyou know what I mean). Only problem is ondoing thread after - loads of broken finger nails!!

 

[hettie123]

I use bands (purely because I'm lazy)!!!!! There quick to get in and out.

 

[siobhain]

I only completed in show jumping and always used bands. No one really plaits up for jumping but i was a fiend for the best turned out prizes and even plaited after school for wednesday night traing shows! Could never really master thread.

 

[TGM]

I band most of the time, but use thread for special occasions. This photo shows plaits with thread:

And this with bands:

I find the threaded plaits tend to be rounder and more ball-like, whereas banded have a tendency to stick out a bit more.

 

[Kenzo]

Neadle and thread always looks much better but the secret to any good plaits be it rubber or thread....is well kept locks!

The chances of pulling off good plaits if your horse has uneven, long or thick bushy mane in virtully impossible, so a little time in getting the mane pulled and looking nice will pay off when it comes to plaiting I think.

 

[Ladybird]

IMO thread looks loads better but I've only been shown how to do it once and never put it into practice so in my case banding is definately the way to go!

If I was showing however I would definately practice with thread

 

[merlins-mum]

concur. Use bands for dressage (no-one will be that close to see them) but use thread for showing as they are under scrutiny.

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Thread looks better, I have used thread for big shows ie balmoral etc .

It is time comsuming but its worth it .

 

[vallin]

I wish I could do thread, IMO it always looks neater, this is my girl done with thread (my friend did it for me

)

THe size varies because her mane is really thin at the bottom and hugely thick at the top :s

 

[Theresa_F]

When doing my TBs in previous years, and now the ponies, I often plait up and use bands on the ends but then sew in to finish as this method is a bit quicker. I personally find finishing off with bands never looks as good and really saves me little time than sewing in does.

If I am just doing long loops on Stinky'a mane, then I will use just bands or tape as it is normally for jumping or dressage that I do this. Showing he is left natural.

Showing should really always be done with thread to sew in.

 

[camilla4]

I've always used thread - never really tried bands although I can see how they might be quicker!

 

[only_me]

I think rubber bands can be very neat when you do them properly with bands and loop them through with wire

Takes me about 10-15 minutes plaiting this way, and imo i think they are very neat

I dont use thread as too time consuming, maybe for a big show like RDS where appearance is everything!

 

[ginginandtonic]

Thanks all, I think I will have a practise with thread and see how I get on.

 

[ElliePippa]

only_me How do you use the wire? Might just be being dumb, but have never heard of plaits being done that way before

x

 

[only_me]

Plait mane as you would normally, making sure they are extra tight and pulled down from the top

Then get a piece of wire (copper works well as easy to bend

bend it around your finger and you get a loop.
Push the loop through the top of the mane and tuck the end of the plait into the loop

then pull the wire out of the mane which pulls the plait through the top of the mane as well

take the wire out
and wrap the plait aroun the base of the plait to create the "bobble" as it were, securing it with a band

Its hard to explain through words lol, much easier when shown how to do it!

 

[jcberry]

thread! soooo much easier!

 

[MerryMAL]

Thread for Lottie - blessed with a nice, neat, manageable mane.
Bands for Toby - he just has TOO MUCH HAIR it's impossible to get nice-looking plaits so I give up and do those awful golf ball things *shudders*

 

[tabithakat64]

Thread, it's much neater

 

[toteymote]

For showing I do the plait and then tie it with a band and then thread them up if you get what I mean! As I do think it makes them look neater. If im doing dressage I just use bands as it doesn't matter that much. About the only close up pic I have from ages ago if that helps!

 

[Lolo]

I usually band, and they normally look neater as our horses have really nice manes to plait (even if Cheeky does look like a pit pony the rest of the time!). However, I do lots of very small plaits, and the tend to look 'stuck on'- with thread they are more bobbly.