Plaiting problem ?

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kimky

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i am finking of plaiting one of my mares up for a show on easter munday? couple of problems ;
> i anit the bestest plaiting person in the world
>How the hell do i get them to look good
>how many plaits do i need ?
thanks xx
 
Just section the mane into bunches first, not to chunky then plait bunch by bunch, making sure you pull tight at top of neck, secure with band then fold plait in half and tuck end into mane fold again and secure with another band. Practice!
 
I've seen people section the main, then secure the sections (with bands) and plait direct from that. It doesn't look quite as professional but, it made for a neater plait than the poor girl had before.
You can do things like put gel in the mane as you go, that helps to keep it all together.
I don't think the number of plaits you have is that important as long as you and he horse look smart.
Good luck and keep practising!
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I'd put in as many plaits as you need to have smallish neat plaits. Dampen the mane, but not too wet that it's slippery to plait. I alway sow plaits because it's so much easier to make them tidy than with bands, and they hold longer. Use a bit of gel to tidy up any whispy bits at the end.

My mare has very thick mane at the top, and very thin at the bottom, so I don't section off to start with, I just make them even sizes as I go, the sections are smaller at the top because the mane is thicker and get wider towards the bottom - not noticeably, but so that the plaits are the same size and don't have teeny ones at the bottom and golf balls at the top!

Most of all - practise! Boring I know, but worth it to have a beautifully turned out horse.

Good luck!
 
It should be an odd number down the neck plus the forelock I believe. I normally go for 9 with mine - depends on the mane though. My boy has lost about 4 inches of mane where his rug necks clearly rub the mane a bit............
 
I normally go between 5-7 plaits, too many either make the neck look too long or can make it look 'upside down' (not enough topline, lower half of neck more muscled than the top half). Dampen then mane beforehand, keep the plaits tight and i sew plaits, i find it makes them roll better and they look neater
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I pull the mane too short to plait to avoid this issue
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Ponio's mane is v long but as she is going to be shown in M&M classes theres no plaiting
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We covered plaiting manes and tails on Tuesday in my BHS Stage 2 course, and I have never done either before. Looks like a certain horse is getting practised on...
 
depending on thickness o mane but I like 7 plaits down her neck and i prefer less plaits than loads. Make sure you do a really tight plait and i also fold up the loose hair at the botton of the plait so it is like a sutb so you don't have bits everywhere if that makes sense. I love plaiting, I think it is relaxing
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it also depends on what your horses neck looks like
a small number of plaits will make a long neck seem shorter (conversely) a short neck will look longer if the mane has lots of small plaits good luck
 
Usually 7 or 11.
You can compliement your horses confirmation by the way you plait.
If you horse and a long srawny neck, with not much muscle/ topline, then use fewer plaits and bigger plaits, this will take shorten the neck, plait from the opposite side to the side your horses mane naturally grows (which should be off side) this will thicken the look of your horses neck.
If you horse has a short stumpy neck, go for more plaits but smaller ones to lengthen the neck.

If you not used to plaiting perfect the art with rubber bands first otherwise you'll make a dogs dinner using cotton.


All tricks of the showing world.
 
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