Plaiting?

E

~EveRebecca~

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Nottinghamshire
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Hi,

I haven't really posted on here before but I've lurked round for ages!

This weekend there's a show at my stables where we get to use one of the riding school horses for the whole day, there's games, jumping, XC, fancy dress etc, I've been looking forward to it for weeks :)

I was just wondering what I could do with Sonnies mane and tail. My dad and I went out last weekend and got some plaiting bands and red, white and blue ribbon.

But I don't think I'm going to be able to plait her mane, could I put it in bunches and put a bow on it? And is it quite simple to plait her tail? Would I just do it like a french braid? And if I tie the ribbon on at the start of the plait on her tail would I be able to plait the ribbon into the tail? And the same with her forlelock too... I hope that makes sense, sorry for all the questions. Here's a picture of her.

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I'm rubbish at plaiting but practise does make perfect so I suggest you have a practise, at least with her mane as thats probably going to be the most tricky, before the actual event.
Also youtube is your best friend if you haven't plaited for a while, there are usually some useful video's on how to do it on there which is easier than explaining on here! :D
How you have fun, sounds like it should be a good day!
 
I'd leave her mane alone - nothing worse than a badly plaited one. Plus it looks too short.

Perhaps do a plait in the tail, using your red, white and blue ribbon?
 
Looking at the photos it looks like her mane was hogged and has only grown out a little, so no, you wouldn't be able to plait it. I would plait her forelock - a simple french plait, rolled up and secured with thread or bands. Have a look on Youtube if you aren't confident in what you're doing. I would leave her mane as it is or she may look a tad peculiar!

Tail wise it looks as though she rubs it, or doesn't have a completely full tail at the top, so it may be difficult to plait. I can't be sure as you can't really tell from the photo. Tails are quite difficult to plait and it takes a lot of practice. Again, have a look on Youtube, or get someone to show you how to do it, and then practice like crazy!
 
I don't have any plaiting advice but wanted to say - what a cutie!! Have fun at the show, plaiting is really not the be all and end all! :D
 
if you dont plait her mane - dont plait her tail! You can plait a mane without a tail but never a tail without a mane.
and remember, a red ribbon in a tail means the horse is a kicker, you dont want to start bad stories about your own horse!

Yes, plaiting a tail is pretty much a french plait but it is harder to strt it off as a horses tail tends to be shorter at the top.
 
Cuppatea said:
if you dont plait her mane - dont plait her tail! You can plait a mane without a tail but never a tail without a mane.
and remember, a red ribbon in a tail means the horse is a kicker, you dont want to start bad stories about your own horse!

Yes, plaiting a tail is pretty much a french plait but it is harder to strt it off as a horses tail tends to be shorter at the top.
Click to expand...

This is a fun day at a riding school. And the ribbons in the tail will be red, white and blue.

The horse is not hers - but the Schools
 
Cool, sounds like fun! If it's just a fun show, and there is fancy dress etc then go mad! :D I'd be putting her mane in bunches (alternate colours, obviously ;)) and would put ribbon through it! (tucked through the bands if you get me). She will hate it, but she'll look cool! I do like the thought of plaiting the ribbon into the tail! You're much cleverer than I am..I can't french plait for biscuits.

If you don't want to be so immature (:D) then just leave her mane and tail as it is, her mane is a bit too short and thick to plait and her tail doesn't look easy either. Once her mane has grown out more, it'll lay flat against her neck then you can plait it :)

Can't wait to see some photos! Have fun whatever you do! :D
 
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To put the ribbon in the tail this is the best way I've always found (we used to plait up in coloured flowers and ribbons for the common rides up here - I'll try dig out some pics :D)

You MAY need a hand though if you do it the first (but neater) way.

HALF a long piece of ribbon or 2 different colours. Plait it into the tail for the first 2 turns, and then as you plait down, the thin strips you pull across, pull the ribbon over, under, over, under, all the way down. You might need a hand!

Second way, plait tail and then thread ribbon through after, but you run the risk of ruining it :(

at the bottom, neat bow!

I'l try find some piccies to explain, but it look FABBY!
 
Thank you for your responces! :)

Yeah she's not my horse, I wish!

I better get started on watching some YouTube videos! Because I won't have chance to practice. My dad and I are going have about an hour so to get her ready, I roped him into helping me and not just watching :)

Hmm I think I'll try and plait the tail then and put her mane in bunches with alternative colour ribbons - will the ribbons annoy her? We'll be matching 'cause I'm going to immature and put the ribbons in my hair and I'll be wearing red, white and blue

Jenni_ I think I understand! Thank you. I hope my dad does too hehe.. though he did used to help me with my hair.

Thank you everyone :) x
 
Sounds like an excellent plan, I'm actually excited to see the finished outfit! :D

nope the ribbons should be fine. Ahhh that's so cute! I think the only thing you are missing is hoof paint ;)

Jenni_ it does sound very impressive!

Can't wait to see! :D
 
It may be possible to plait her mane if you've had a lot of practice & sew them, but still tricky even for someone who can plait very well. If you just want to make her look pretty & aren't too fussed about correct turnout I can think of an alternative. Do it in 11 or so small bunches with plaiting bands, then fold the bunch in half & put another band over so its a ball of hair. Then put alternate coloured ribbons round the base of each. So it looks like rolled up plaits without the plaiting if that makes sense? And use spray gel. Forelock I'd plait & roll.
Tail plaits are like braids but you don't add all the hair in as you go down. Find a video on YouTube & have a practice. If you can't manage it or its too short, then you could put the top inch or so into a plaiting band near the dock then just do a normal plait with that part. And put a ribbon round the band & plait some in too if you want. When you get to the bottom of the dock grab a 1/4" thickness of hair from either side & braid them in to hold the plait in place. Then plait as normal to the end of the tail, and fold in half & band the end of the plait to the underside of where you added in the hair at the bottom of the dock. And put another ribbon round band if you want. End result looks similar to a plait but without the braiding.
 
Thank you! I will deffinately do that with her mane, put them in bunches then but it into a ball :) And I'm feeling less worried now I've got different options for her tail! She's going to look brilliant and very patriotic! Thank you :)

I'll post pictures of her when she's all ready :)

Thanks again x
 
Hi everyone,
The day went well :)
I didn't quite manage to do Sonnie's tail like I'd planned but it looked OK and her mane looks quite good I think. It was a brilliant day despite falling off twice in the morning hehe!
Here's some photos, I hope they aren't too big. There's also some videos here - http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzGyn9sruJ3FQW7pLLBZLQQ?feature=guide (2 of them are still uploading! I can't believe how long it takes!)

Getting ready
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All ready for the show
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We came 6th best turned out :)
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We lost half the ribbons after our terrible jumping round
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Had a better round of jumping with Pav in the afternoon in my fancy dress costume! And came 5th :)
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Thanks for all the help and I hope you all had a great weekend too xx
 
Brilliant :D And well done in the jumping- she was not on your side, the madam!! Proper determined riding, you deserved a rosette for that.
 
Thanks yeah I for my first try I think she looked good :D Hehe

Littlelegs - thanks, they're just leggings from Topshop.. not sure if I'd wear them out in public though!
Llewellyn - it took ages to come up with!! I was thinking about it for weeks! First prize went to a little pony covered in glitter and hair gel - his man was spikey and fluescent! It would have been easier if I hadn't thought it was meant to be olympic themed!
Devonshire dumpling - Aw thanks, I think Pav was just after the food in my pocket hehe!
Lolo - thanks, she was the same on Saturday too really brought my confidence down but then Pav brought it right back up again, though I think I move way to much in canter... :/

Thanks everyone :) x
 
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