Perfect Your Horse Mane Plaits for Competition Day

Do you find yourself standing in front of your horse's majestic mane, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty? Don't worry, we've got your back! In this blog post, we've crafted a handy guide just for you, filled to the brim with tips and tricks to take your plaiting skills to the next level. Say goodbye to the overwhelming sea of products and options, and say hello to confidence and style. Let's spruce up those manes and get ready to turn heads in the competition ring!

Firstly, we need a clean and short mane in order to create our plaits. 

Wash your horse’s mane thoroughly with your favourite shampoo. Make sure not to add in any conditioner or spray products which will make the mane too slippery to work with. 

If your horse’s mane is very thick and long, you’ll want to thin and shorten out the mane using one or a combination of the following tools:

Before starting the plait, make sure you use a mane comb to smooth out the mane and remove any tangles. Create the sleekest plaits and tame all those flyaways with a roll on wax or gel. This will help to keep the hair in place and make it easier to braid.Our products below use essential oils to create a smooth, shiny hold.

There’s also some handy combs that will help you segment and hold the mane whilst you plait. An old wives tale says you should aim for an uneven number of plaits  like 9, 11 or 13.

Now let’s watch it all come together, time to plait and secure your mane! Firstly, start from the top of the neck and plait each section and secure it with an elastic band, moving down the neck until all your sections are plaited. Repeat the process for each section of the mane, making sure that all plaits are the same size and shape.

Be patient and take your time when plaiting, the more careful you are, the better the plaits will look. If your show is the next day, pop a hood on your horse in preparation for rolling up the next morning.

When it's time to roll up your plaits there's a few different options to choose from depending on what you're after:

Finally, spray the horse's mane with a light coat of hairspray or a specialised plaiting spray to help keep the plaits in place. This will help to prevent the plaits from coming loose or unraveling during riding or showing. Be sure to use a spray that is safe for use on horses and avoid getting it in the horse's eyes or mouth!

Here are some of our safe sprays for longer lasting plaits:

You’re now ready to trot out with style and ease!!

1. Start by removing any decorative ribbons or bands that may be attached to the plaits.

2. Use a pair of scissors or a seam ripper to carefully cut the rubber bands or thread that secure the end of each plait. Be sure not to cut the horse's mane hair.

3. Gently unravel each plait, starting at the bottom and working your way up towards the base of the neck. Be careful not to pull or tug on the hair, as this can cause discomfort or pain to the horse.

4. Once all the plaits are unraveled, use a comb or brush to gently remove any tangles or knots in the horse's mane. Be sure to be gentle and avoid pulling or tugging on the hair.

5. Finally, you can wash and condition the horse's mane to help remove any hairspray or other products that may have been used during the plaiting process.

We've listed a couple of products below that will help with this process: