The wonderful world of braiding is vast and sometimes intimidating, but when you are prepared things become a little easier.
Cleanliness is Key
Your first step in preparing for the perfect braids is to wash your horse’s mane. Dirt and oil in the mane will make it harder to get smooth and even braids. Once it’s washed let it dry completely before you start brushing or braiding it. Once the mane is dry gently brush it out and prepare for braiding.
Have all Your Tools Ready
Before you braid make sure you have all your tools handy. You may need a step stool to comfortably reach the top of your horse’s mane. In general when braiding you need a comb, braiding bands, braiding conditioner, and a hair clip. All of your tools can be kept in a braiding apron to ensure easy access. Once you start braiding make sure you only work with small sections at a time. Your horse’s neck moves around a lot with a wide range of motion so by taking smaller sections to braid you decrease the amount of tension in the neck.
Know What Braid You Need
Always be aware of what kind of braid your discipline requires. Make sure to consider the ideal length for your horse’s mane in comparison to the type of braid you need to make. For example, most braids in the english discipline require a mane that is 4-5 fingers long while in western disciplines it’s more acceptable to have a longer mane.
Practice for you and Your Horse
It’s a good idea to practice braiding at home regularly. Some horses have to learn to be comfortable with standing still for long periods of time while you braid their manes. Other horses may not be content with their mane being messed with or pulled on. These issues are easier to handle and overcome routinely at home rather than in a new environment where you might be braiding the night before on the show grounds.
Braiding gets easier the more it’s practiced. Try it on your horse and see which type of braid is your favorite!