Whether showing, dressage, eventing, show jumping or hunting is your first love, creating smart plaits will give you an element of professionalism. To make sure your horse or pony looks smart when he has an outing, make sure you follow our top plaiting tips.1. A few days before the big event pull your horses mane to a length so that it is long enough to plait but still easy to handle.
2. Assess the type of neck your horse has and the desired look you want. If your horse has a weak topline then plaits will need to be pushed up onto the crest to give him a better overall appearance. If he has a cresty neck you should opt for small plaits set low down. For a long neck you need fewer larger plaits, and more plaits for a short neck.
3. As you prepare to plait you will need the following equipment:-
• Metal mane comb
• Plaiting needles
• Plaiting thread
• Rubber bands
• Supreme Products Easy Plait
• Supreme Products Highlighter Gel
4. Spray Supreme Products Easy Plait before you begin to plait, this helps you to hold the mane firmly with extra grip, and helps tie in stray hairs. Easy Plait can be sprayed on to a wet or dry mane and will help you get a good ‘grip’ and will hold plaits in place when finished.
5. With a metal mane comb divide the mane into equal bunches bearing in mind the amount and size of the plaits you desire, securing them with elastic bands.
6. Start at the top of the mane, plait down the section of the mane as tightly as possible to create finer and tidier plaits and secure with an elastic band. If you lose your grip on the mane spray more Supreme Products Easy Plait and you will soon be back on track.
7. Once the plait has been secured, roll - not fold - the plait to the top of the neck and push the needle through from the underside to the top, making sure you guide the needle through the middle of the plait. Once the needle has gone through the plait once, repeat until you have a secure plait. I use quite a lot of thread to help hide the stray hairs, but make sure the thread is discreet. Once the plait is perfectly round with no stray hairs, cut the thread.
8. Work your way down the neck and leave the forelock until last.
9. Depending on how good you are at plaiting, French braiding the forelock adds a truly professional look but can take some time to master.
10. Once happy with your plaits smooth down any loose ends and stray hairs with Supreme Products Highlighter Gel. This is great for adding extra definition to the plaits as well as producing a glistening finish when used on the eyes, muzzle, ears and dock - a truly versatile finish.
11. Whether plaiting up on the eve of the event or on the actual day it is advisable to keep your plaits covered and protected with a high quality garment that is comfortable for your horse and durable for your plaits.
The Supreme Products range of Lycra Mix Hoods ensure your plaits stay pristine and laid. They have large eye and ear holes that fit over your horse’s face and neck keeping plaits intact, clean and smart. Make sure that you fit the hood over the top of the rug to ensure freedom of movement during travelling and overnight. The hood will add condition and shine to the coat and lay the plaits too.
12. After the event, in order to promote and protect your horse’s mane, remove the plaits immediately using an unpicker or unpicking scissors. Unpickers are ideal for removing plaiting thread from plaits, and there is less likely to be mane loss using them compared to using scissors. Once the plaits have been removed apply Supreme Products Moisturise and Condition to repair any damaged hair or rubbed skin, keeping your horse in perfect condition and ready for the next show.
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