Running plait - advice please

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BBP

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I attempted my first running plait on the mini Spaniard yesterday, and barring a small wobble in the middle where I got my fingers (and his mane) in a knot it didn't look too terrible.
Image0727.jpg

Needs a bit more work but I wondered if there is some magic trick that stops the plait from bunching and pulling loose once the horse moves?! Although it stayed in, it ended up looking wiggly and a bit rubbish. I'd like to be able to complete a dressage test and have him look as smart coming out as he did warming up! Do I try to get it as close to his crest as possible?, as tight as possible?
 
The trick with them is to plait in some 'give' so that when the horse works in an outline their neck isn't restricted, also when they are carrying themselves correctly the plait should lie flat which should solve the lumpy issue. The plait should still be secure so I would plait as tight as is needed.
Hope this makes sense ;)
 
Looking at the plait again I think it looks really good! :) just keep practicing until you're happy :)
Oh and if you keep your your 'top' hand on the crest that should help to get it tight and in the right place all the way down
 
YardGeek said:
The trick with them is to plait in some 'give' so that when the horse works in an outline their neck isn't restricted, also when they are carrying themselves correctly the plait should lie flat which should solve the lumpy issue. The plait should still be secure so I would plait as tight as is needed.
Hope this makes sense ;)
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^^this, and i also think you'll get the trick of it staying put whilst ridden when the mane is a little longer- it looks rather short for this kind of plait :)

good effort tho- i practise on my tb lol, which doesn't really suit him ;)
 
Trouble is if its too long with some horses it goes all wavy looks ghastly , its a job to get a perfect french plait, so keep practicing.:)
 
Thank you, those tips are great. His mane is fairly long, a bit longer than in this pic
IMG_2530.jpg

just not massively thick, so the plait doesn't look very bulky.
Maybe I should make him stand in side reins when i plait him so his neck is in the right position!!!
 
Blimey I thought for one moment you were standing in a swimming pool! lol :) Love your plait though....it's plently good enough as is.
 
Our NF has huge thick thick thick mane , and we have to leave bands hidden in the mane as we go along, otherwise the weight and thickness just pulls it out. Ours never looks neat, as it's about 4 inches or more thick on the centre of the plait due to the volume of hair.
 
With the mega manes you can split it down the middle and do a plait on either side.
Or do a plait for the central hair and then plait the out hair over the top of it.
All takes time and effort and none of them stay put for that long I'm afraid.
 
I love the other plait pictures, thank you! I guess compared to them his mane really is short! My sisters connemara is on box rest with an injury and so she has decided to let his mane grow til he is back competing...it is already longer than my ponys and she can do a running plait in that!
 
Gilbey said:
Blimey I thought for one moment you were standing in a swimming pool! lol :) Love your plait though....it's plently good enough as is.
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Me too!

OP practice makes perefect. I am rather good at running and tail plaits as my daughter had long hair. She wore two french plaits every day of her school life from about 6 to 15 years to prevent the dreaded nits (and it works).
 
Just had another wee practice and despite a lot more wriggling on ponys part (plaiting should NOT take priority over food his his mind!) it wasn't too bad. I will try to make myself do it a couple of times a week to get good at it.

Sadly not a swimming pool, just the vile netting my friend has round her arena! I think it glows in the dark!
 
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