| Many horse owners enjoy plaiting or braiding their | | | | you will be ahead of the game when it comes to |
| horses' manes. This often appeals to young girls | | | | putting braids in your horse's mane. You might |
| as a way to beautify their horse while spending | | | | have to practice a few times before you get the |
| some quality time with their four-legged | | | | braids "good enough to show." Don't get |
| companion. But I know quite a few adults, even a | | | | discouraged if your first attempt is |
| few men, who braid their horses' manes (or have | | | | less-than-perfect. You'll soon get the hang of it. |
| it done for them) before a big competition. It is | | | | You might even become so good that others will |
| especially popular in the dressage arena. | | | | ask you (or pay you) to do their horses. |
| Done well, braiding definitely neatens up a mane. | | | | There are several illustrated guides available that |
| Finished off with colorful thread, it will catch eyes | | | | can shorten your learning curve when it comes to |
| and elicit admiration everywhere that you take | | | | horse mane braids. Do a general web search, or |
| your horse. Some people believe that braiding or | | | | search within one of the big online bookstores, |
| other mane enhancing efforts will sway even the | | | | and you will be amply rewarded. |
| most "by-the-book" show judge. | | | | Some people like that look of a "natural" mane on |
| It doesn't cost much to get into mane braiding. | | | | their horses, that is, one that is allowed to grow |
| Equipment and supplies are very basic: A mane | | | | as long and thick as it can, and left loose to fly in |
| comb, a brush, some elastic bands (in a color | | | | the breeze. What even many horse owners don't |
| blend in visually with the horse's natural shad, or in | | | | know is that it's possible to grow a luxurious |
| a contrasting color to really stand out), plaiting | | | | mane (and tail!) on even an average looking horse. |
| thread, needle, and scissors. | | | | A flowing mane will win contests, even against |
| The braiding procedure starts with brushing and | | | | horses that may technically be superior in terms |
| combing to get out tangles. Then you divide the | | | | of strict conformation. After all, judges are |
| mane into sections, one at a time. The elastic | | | | human, too! |
| bands are used to hold the sections in place; next | | | | On the other hand, braiding a mane in advance of |
| comes the actual braiding. It is all finished off by | | | | a show has its strong advocates, too. When done |
| sewing the braids to further secure them as well | | | | in conjunction with a naturally long and thick mane, |
| as to divide them in halves for a really super look. | | | | the result can be absolutely breathtaking. |
| If you've ever braided your own or a friend's hair, | | | | |