Plaiting... (honest, I'm not an idiot!)

Sol

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I know I seem to post rather a lot... xD I just have far too many questions :P

Pulled ponehs mane recently so now it's not exactly short, but a lot shorter than it was (helpful, I know) but it means I cant really plait it in a trellis or running plait now! And I haven't needed to plait up properly before!
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Are there any tips you can give me before I end up pulling my own hair out trying?!
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Just want him to look fairly neat for dressage and prove that I've made some effort!
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Is it ok to do slightly more, smaller plaits???
 
~Generally, the shorter the main, the easier to is to plait (not too short though obviously!)
~Making the main damp helps
~Keeping the plaits about 1 pulling comb wide (or 3/4 width if the main is thick)
~Number of plaits doesn't really matter, as long as there is an odd number on the neck and then the forelock makes it even.
~The tighter you do the plat the neater it is and easier to deal with.
~Maybe doing it with bands would be easier, in that case, either fold the plait once of twice, depending on how long the main is and then secure it with a band.

I hope that is alright, and I'm sorry if I'm telling you things you already know!
 
The smaller the plaits the easier and neater but more time consuming!!
Mine are only about an inch wide usually (upto 25 plaits on a bad day)
I use a clothes peg to keep the rest of the mane out of the way
I plait a mane straight after it has been washed ie very wet as it makes it easier.
Hair spray!!
And I cant use bands to save my life, thread all the way!!
 
Thanks everyone! Will have to have a go this weekend! Hadn't even really thought about it until today... typical
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Also doing some showing possibly soon so suppose it's good practice!
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Divide the mane up with plaiting bands into an odd number, I think tons look silly, but a few more won't look off. Then undo one at a time, plait, secure with band at the bottom, then roll / fold and sew with a needle and thread, then you can if you like snip the bad from the bottom but generally you can't see it anyway. I pre-thread the right number of needles for the plaits (say 11) so I don't have to faff around threading them at the yard.
 
plaited my horse for first time this weekend
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I've always have natives/cobs with manes too thick too plait and since buying my tb have always made excuses or got others to do it for me *hangs head in shame!*

what i found is practice, practice practice. watch somebody do it. dampen it down or use 'quick plait' and keep as tight as possible! keep hold of them and don't let it slacken.

You can find a few tips and videos on horsehero.com
 
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