plaiting

[harmony_]

any tips?
im useless!

 

[mememe]

slighty wet the mane first, helps u get the plaits tighter!

 

[monica987]

Seperate the mane into the sections first
Do not wash the main beforehand - will make very slippy!
Make mane DAMP so grip is better

 

[harmony_]

what about flyaways?
and am i right in thinking you fold underneath in half then in half again? then put a band round it?

 

[TigerLilly]

i use egg white it makes the mane super grippy and the plaits nice and neat

 

[em1]

Pull (or use your preferred method) the mane loads first. Most of my plaiting disasters were because I had too much mane to plait with - it was either too thick, or too long, or both.
Separate the mane into sections & secure each section with an elastic band.
Dampen each section well before you start plaiting it (or use one of the plaiting sprays that are about nowadays). Pull the plait as tight as possible while you are doing it. I am lazy so I use the laccy band to secure the bottom of the plait. I then roll the plait up as tightly as possible & hold it in place while I sew it in with a needle & thread - passing the thread backwards & forwards through the bottom of the plait several times. My Mum can do it all with thread - no laccy bands involved. She also used to use egg white to plait my ponies manes with years ago - does anyone still do that?!

 

[arwenplusone]

Top tip: Get someone else to do it for you!

 

[em1]

TLilly has answered my question already!

 

[jelibean]

I find that if you get yourself up higher than your horses mane you can pull the plait upwards as you plait, once you finish it should stand up this makes it easier to position the golfball rather than it being tight to the neck. While your putting a band on the end of the plait fold the remaining hair that sticks out into a loop or you'll never get it to stay in the roll.

 

[LauraBR]

I use spray hair gel stuff- makes the hair stickyish and easier to plait neatly and it holds it in place once dry. I also plait upwards so the plaits sit neatly

I always start at the poll and work my way down as plaiting the bottom of his neck is easier than trying to do the top when he is fed up and flinging his head about in protest

Oh, and a bucket of chaff hung on his stable door to reward/distract while I do the forelock at the end

 

[cavalo branco]

Quic Braid, works a treat!

 

[mat]

I don't separate the hair first, it takes too long..I just measure the size of each section of hair against the mane comb so they are all equal sizes..the bottom plait by the withers is usually a slightly different size, but you can get away with it as the hair is finer there.

I also use water, plait upwards but I use bands. Once you get the knack right they are just as secure as thread!

Depending on the type of neck I may leave them loose at the bottom, to add a bit of "crest" or do them really tight so that a large neck looks more in proportion to the body.

NEVER use white tape/bands unless you are really confident that you can get a perfect outline out of your horse, as you are effectively highlighting any faults otherwise.

I get my OH to hold the head still while I do the forelock