A Beginner's Guide to Plaiting a Mane

Why Plait, and When It's Worth the Effort

Plaiting a mane is one of those skills that looks effortless when someone else does it and utterly baffling when you try it for the first time. A row of neat, even plaits tells a judge, a vet or a passer-by that you take your horse's care seriously, and it keeps a long mane out of the way on wet, muddy days in the field or under a bridle.

You do not need to be a professional groom. You need clean hair, the right bands and a bit of patience. Most horses only need plaiting for showing, hunting, dressage or a smart occasion, but plenty of owners plait at home simply because they enjoy it. A quiet yard afternoon with a bucket of warm water and a horse that stands still is the ideal place to learn.

Start With a Clean, Dry Mane

Dirt and grease make hair slip, and slippery hair means loose plaits that drop out before you reach the ring. Wash the mane the day before if you can, using a mild horse shampoo and plenty of clean water to rinse. Pay particular attention to the roots, where dust and grease collect.

• Rinse thoroughly. Any shampoo left behind leaves the hair dull and slightly sticky.
• Skip heavy conditioner at the roots. A little on the ends is fine, but conditioner makes the mane too silky to grip.
• Dry completely, or plait very slightly damp. Damp hair is easier to control, but wet hair stretches, so never plait a soaking mane and leave it in overnight.
• Brush out tangles with a wide-tooth mane comb, working from the ends upwards and never yanking from the top.

If your horse lives out, expect burdock, mud and hay seeds in the mane. Deal with these before you begin, using your fingers rather than a comb on stubborn knots.

The Kit You Actually Need

• A mane comb with wide teeth and a soft body brush.
• Small elastic plaiting bands in a colour that matches the mane — black or dark brown for most, grey for a grey horse.
• A spray bottle of water, or a sponge and a bucket.
• Sharp scissors, plus a plaiting needle and strong thread if you plan to sew plaits in for showing.
• A sturdy stool or mounting block so you can work at the right height.
• A thinning rake if the mane is very thick.

Avoid human hair bands with metal joins. They snap, catch the hair and leave you with a frustrated horse and a broken plait.

Sectioning and the Basic Plait

Working from the poll behind the ears towards the withers, divide the mane into sections roughly two to three centimetres wide. For showing, aim for an odd number of plaits — usually seven, nine or eleven — because an even number looks unbalanced along the neck. Dampen each section as you go, comb it smooth, and keep the rest of the mane out of the way with a spare band or a clip.

• Hold the section firmly between your fingers, close to the neck.
• Split it into three even strands and plait downwards, keeping the tension even. Firm at the neck, but never so tight that it pulls the skin.
• Plait almost to the ends, leaving a short tuft.
• Secure with a band, wrapping it around three or four times until it sits snugly.
• Fold the plait up into a small ball and secure it with a second band, or sew it in with needle and thread for a show finish.

Making It Neat and Keeping It There

A show plait should sit flat against the neck, roughly the size of a walnut, with the band hidden underneath. Pull the finished ball gently upwards so it sits proud, then smooth the surrounding mane with a damp sponge. Take your time — rushing produces gaps and wispy ends that no amount of hairspray will hide.

If you are plaiting the night before, protect the work with a lycra hood or a mane bag, checking that nothing rubs the ears or the browband area. A horse that rolls in a muddy paddock will undo your efforts in seconds, so plan the night's turnout accordingly.

When It Goes Wrong: Troubleshooting

• Plaits dropping out: usually the section was too loose, or the hair is too clean and silky. Use smaller sections and a fresh band.
• Plaits standing up like spikes: the sections are too thick, or you are not pulling the ball flat against the neck.
• A horse that fidgets: work in a quiet spot, tie up safely with a quick-release knot, and offer a haynet. Split the job into two short sessions if needed.
• A mane that is too short: leave it loose, or accept that the plaits will be small. Never pull hard to stretch a short mane.
• A mane that is too thick: use a rake to thin it gradually over several weeks, not all at once.

Practise a few days before an event, not on the morning of it. Like most things in the yard, plaiting rewards calm, repetition and a horse that trusts your hands.