Plaiting -what am I doing wrong??

[SillyMare]

Lots of good advice above.

Only little addition I would make is if you are using bands, I like to use 2 at a time. Better tension and helps keep the plaits tight. Also makes the plaits more resilient for a day of hunting or if you are doing them the night before. Sorry if someone has said this one already.

Oh, and make sure you are high enough up - always better if you are slightly above the mane (big step required for hunters!).

 

[Undecided]

I wash and plait the night before a show (dressage mainly) then put a clean rug with neck on and roll up and stitch in the morning, saves time and some energy!

 

[diamonddogs]

These things are fantastic... except I wouldn't pay that price for them, so I bought some lightweight florist wire from a seller on eBay for a fraction of the cost.

Basically, you cut the wire to twice the length of the mane plus an inch or so, fold the wire in half, plait it in with two of the three locks of hair down to the bottom, give it a twist at the end, then fold the plait in half, tucking the end underneath, squish it flat, then fold again.

Finish up with a twist round the finished plait, trim the ends and hide what's left in the crest hair.

Voila! And you can re-use the wires several times, and it comes in different colours so you can blend it in or bling it.

Probably best not to leave wire in the mane overnight though just in case, and be extra careful if your horse is likely to rub his mane.

 

[teamsarazara]

I found the thing that helped me the most was plaiting all the way down before rolling up! Good day at the show