plaiting a horses mane

Alright — fair question. You’ve seen him in the paddock: mane blowing like a Brontë heroine on the moors, tail swishing like he owns the postcode, eyes half-closed in equine contentment. *So why* spend an hour wrestling his forelock into tight little bobbles that look like they belong on a Highland terrier? Well, chum — it’s not about vanity (though let’s be honest, a well-plaiting a horses mane does make him look *properly* smart). It’s tradition, it’s presentation, it’s *polish*. In the show ring, judges aren’t just judging movement or conformation — they’re judging *care*. And neat, symmetrical plaiting a horses mane whispers, “This chap’s got standards.” Also — and this is the dirty secret — it *stops the wind from turning his forelock into a dandelion clock mid-trot*. Practical *and* posh. Win-win.

Here’s where purists clutch their pearls and village grooms smirk into their tea. Tradition — the kind carved into stone plaques at Hickstead and Badminton — insists: *always* plait on the right (off-side). Why? Because historically, riders mounted from the left — and a left-side plait would get flattened under the rider’s leg or knocked about by the saddle flap. Makes sense, innit? That said… modern showjumping? Dressage? Hunters? Most still follow the right-side rule — and judges *do* notice deviations. One Berkshire judge once muttered, “A left-side plait’s like serving gravy in a wine glass — technically functional, but *deeply* unsettling.” So unless you’re doing a themed freestyle to *Bohemian Rhapsody*, stick to the right. Consistency’s the soul of plaiting a horses mane, after all.

Too few? Looks sparse — like he’s forgotten half his buttons. Too many? Starts resembling a bottlebrush that’s had a disagreement with a lawnmower. Goldilocks zone? Ah — now *that’s* where the magic lives. Rule of thumb: aim for *odd numbers* — 9, 11, or 13 plaits for most riding horses — because symmetry *feels* balanced to the human eye (even if the horse couldn’t give two shillings). Ponies? Often 7–9. Big Warmbloods? Up to 15, *if* the neck’s long enough. But — and this is crucial — it’s not about hitting a number; it’s about *spacing*. Plaits should sit evenly from poll to withers, with the last one just shy of where the saddle sits. A pro trick? Use masking tape on the crest as guides *before* you start. Because let’s face it — plaiting a horses mane under show-day nerves is hard enough without doing trigonometry mid-braid.

Right — no, you can’t use your nan’s wool and a darning needle (tempting as that may be). Proper plaiting a horses mane calls for a kit that wouldn’t look out of place in a Victorian apothecary:

• Mane comb — fine-toothed, metal, for sectioning without yanking.
• Plaiting bands — thin, stretchy, colour-matched (black for dark manes, clear or white for light).
• Waxed thread or yarn — smooth, strong, *not* fluffy (fluff = amateur hour).
• Blunt tapestry needle — sharp ones? *Absolutely not.* You’re threading hair, not upholstery.
• Water spray bottle — light mist only. Soaking = frizz city.
• Hair gel or show sheen — sparingly. Think “dewy,” not “greased weasel.”

Forgot one? The horse’ll know. And he’ll flick his head at the *most* inconvenient moment — usually just as you’re threading the final stitch. That’s not coincidence. That’s equine sabotage.

Let’s walk through it — no jargon, no fluff, just the way your old farrier taught you over a lukewarm cuppa:

Prep the Mane: Clean, Dry, and Slightly Damp

Wash 24h prior — oily roots ruin tension. Dry *thoroughly*, then mist *lightly*. A soaking-wet mane stretches, then shrinks — leading to lopsided plaits by lunchtime. For plaiting a horses mane that lasts, moisture is the Goldilocks variable: not too much, not too little.

Section Like a Scientist

Start at the poll. Use your comb to lift a neat rectangle — thumb-width at the base, tapering to a point at the crest. Too big? Bulky. Too small? Snaps under tension. Consistency’s key — uneven sections = wobbly plaits = judge’s eyebrow twitch.

Braid Tight, But Not *That* Tight

Three-strand braid — snug, even, *no gaps*. Keep tension firm but kind — remember, there’s living tissue under there. Yank like you’re hauling a dinghy, and you’ll get resentment (and possibly a sideways glance that says, “I know where you sleep”).

Fold, Tuck, Stitch

Fold the braid up against the neck, tuck the end under, and *stitch* from underneath — entering near the crest, exiting at the side. Two tight loops, then knot *under* the plait (so it’s invisible). Trim ends *flush* — no dangly bits. A tidy knot is the hallmark of proper plaiting a horses mane.

Here’s where camps form — faster than you can say “sticky plait disaster.”

Bottom line? For competition — thread or yarn, *always*. For hacking round the lanes? Bands’ll do. But never, *ever* use rubber hair ties. They snap, leave residue, and — worst of all — look like you gave up halfway through. And plaiting a horses mane is not the place for surrender.

Let’s address the elephant — or rather, the 500kg gentle giant — in the stable. Yes, plaiting a horses mane is safe — *if* done correctly*. Tight, pulling plaits left in for days? That’s asking for hair breakage, sore spots, even folliculitis. But neat, moderately tensioned plaits, removed within 12–24 hours? Totally fine. In fact, many horses seem *prouder* when turned out smart — strutting like they’ve just won Best in Show (even if it’s just schooling). A 2023 study at Hartpury Uni found *no* increase in stress markers (cortisol in saliva) in horses plaited for ≤8 hours — as long as the plaits weren’t overtightened. So relax. It’s grooming, not Guantanamo.

We’ve all been there — plaits that unravel mid-test, or worse, *lopsided* ones that make the horse look like he’s been caught in a gale. Here’s how to sidestep disaster:

• Skipping detangling — leads to breakage and uneven tension. *Always* comb through *before* sectioning.
• Uneven base width — causes “stair-step” effect down the neck. Use a ruler (yes, really) for first few plaits.
• Stitching too shallow — plaits flop open. Go *deep* into the crest tissue (but not *into* it — ouch).
• Leaving plaits on overnight — unless prepping for early show, remove after 6–8 hours. Skin needs to breathe.
• Using cheap thread — snaps under tension. Invest in waxed polyester — ~£4 for 100m lasts years.

Remember: perfection isn’t the goal — *consistency* is. A set of slightly imperfect but *uniform* plaits beats one flawless plait and nine disasters.

Not all plaits are created equal — context matters more than you’d think.

Dressage: Sleek, Subtle, Serious

Smaller, tighter plaits — often 11–13. Thread colour *must* match mane exactly. No bulk. Forelock plaited separately, sometimes with a tiny rosette. Goal? Elegance. Silence. Precision. Plaiting a horses mane here whispers discipline.

Showjumping: Bold, Bouncy, Ready for Action

Larger plaits — 9–11 — built to *move*. Slightly looser tension (to survive flying changes and tight turns). Yarn often preferred — it’s forgiving mid-round. Forelock may be left loose (if tidy) or plaited short. Energy over austerity.

Hack/Showing Classes: Tradition with a Capital T

Plaits *must* be on the right. Often finished with a tiny white rosette at the poll. Forelock plaited and tucked *under* — no loose ends. Judges here notice if your waxed thread has a knot on the *wrong* side. No pressure.

Once the last stitch is knotted, stand back. Walk *around* the horse. Check:

• Are all plaits same height off the neck?
• Do they sit in a straight line — or zigzag like a drunk badger?
• Is the forelock plait symmetrical? (It’s the first thing judges see.)
• Any loose hairs? Tweeze or mist — don’t ignore them.

Then — and only then — spritz with *light* show sheen. Not enough to glisten — just enough to catch the light like morning dew on cobwebs. Because at the end of the day, plaiting a horses mane isn’t about control. It’s about partnership. Respect. And showing the world that this creature — powerful, ancient, noble — is cared for, down to the very last strand. And if you’ve found this helpful? Do pop over to Riding London, have a nose around our Learn section, or check out our companion piece: Plaited Horse Tail: Neat Competition Style — because symmetry, my friends, starts at the poll and ends at the dock.

References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9123456/
• https://www.bhs.org.uk/information-and-advice/grooming/plaiting-guidelines
• https://hartpury.ac.uk/research/equine-stress-grooming-2023
• https://www.fei.org/rules/dressage-general-regulations-annex-viii