How To Plait A Horse's Tail
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How To Plait A Horse's Tail
Do you want your horse to be the best turned out at the next show? Then follow this simple guide, showing both methods of plaiting to make your horse look like the star he or she is!
Step 1: You will need
Step 2: Tie your horse up
Begin by tying your horse up. Give him some hay, if you think he'll need distracting, while you plait.
Step 3: Brush the tail
With a body brush, thoroughly brush the tail. Hold the whole tail in one hand. And gradually brush through small sections of hair, at a time. Do not use mane and tail conditioner as this will make the tail hair too slippy to handle. Then comb the top of the tail and the sides of the tail with the mane comb.
Step 4: Dampen the tail
Now dampen the water brush and brush the top of the tail. Alternatively you can dip your fingers in egg white and pull it through the top and the sides of the tail. Egg white makes the tail easier to handle. Plus it dries firm and shiny, like a gel!
Step 5: Plait the tail
Beginning at the top of the tail, take a small section of hair from the left hand side. Take another section of hair from the middle. Then take another small section of hair from the right hand side. Plait once with the three sections. Then take another small section of hair from the left side and add it to the left side of the plait. Cross it over to the middle section of plait. Then pick up a small section of hair from the right side of the tail and add it to the right side of the plait. Then cross it all over to the middle section. Repeat the plaiting process, to three quarters of the way down his tail. Maintain even and constant pressure when plaiting each section and always keep the plait in the centre.
Give the dock, which is the tail bone a quick squeeze, to feel where you are. When you are three quarters of the way down, begin to plait the long remaining hair, as you would a normal plait, to the end of the tail.
Step 6: Secure the tail
Secure the end with a few twists of a plaiting band. Fold the long plait once underneath. Now tuck the end of the normal plait under the French plait. Secure the top of the normal plait with your other plaiting band. You can also secure it by using a needle and thread with the end knotted. Start by sewing through the end of the plait and wind the cotton around twice. Then fold the plait underneath once. Stitch through the top. Now stitch down the centre of both plaits, making it into one plait. Sow down, neatly and evenly. Secure the end by looping the thread through one of the stitches and then loop the thread through once more. Finally cut the cotton with the scissors.
Never leave a plaited tail on overnight! Your horse will try to rub it off!
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Horse Riding: Tie Up Your Horse
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Buy A Horse
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French Braid
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Tips & Comments
hi , when she grabs strains of hair from the trail do you drop a bit to maintain the thinness? because when ever i plait it always becomes bigger toward the end of the plait and looks unprofessional
I've just noticed that the girl in this vid loops the lead rope round her hand, Tis is the incorrect way to hold it and if the horse runs off it could break her fingers. Just thought it was funny as she's supposed to be an expert, i've only been riding for 5 years, and I know this, it's basic! Like I said, I just thought I'd point this out, not trying to be prissy! thanks!
accualy she did mention to tie the not when she fist mentioned having a needle that has thread the same coloure as your horses hair. lol listen again ... anyway i got a lot out of this video as did i with the mne paiting one they are great they should have one on the full proces of getting ready for a show it would be great
lol I noticed in both the tail plaiting video and the mane plaiting video, she forgot to mention to tie a knot at the end of the thread when you start. I was wondering how the thread didn't slip out of the braid!
You should never keep a tail plait in overnight as it can cut of the circulation to it's dock. You must always make sure it is taken out as soon as possible folowing a show. If plaits in its mane are bein gkept in overnight I find making strips out of an old pillow case and securing these over the time with bands is a way to keep dirt etc out of them and keep them looking great for the folowing morning
i would have its hair short
I like it when horses look natural long hair long tail! if i had a horse i would like his hair to be long!?
Once you get used to doing this plait, it is very simple and takes not very long at all. It just takes practice that's all. It is best not to leave plaits in overnight but if you know your horse does not find it irritating and have not the time to do this in the morning, I think this is fine. Plaits in the morning tend to look neater, just like if you did your hair before you go to bed, it would not look as neat as if you did it in the morning lol This is not the best plaited tail I've seen but is good enough for demonstration purposes. I like to plait my tail so that the plait is lifted (instead of joining the small pieces of hair you take to their respective sides you add them to the opposite sides and this in turn kind of embosses the plait in the middle). It seems to get more marks in local turnout and local showing classes as it is more difficult. But in some more national classes you have to stick to the traditional method. Just depends what level I am showing at.
This style of tail plait is traditional english style. The mane is plaited like in her other video (but on the right side). It is not odd to french plait a tail and normally plait a mane. This the UK way.
i also keep the extra bit long because i cant make it shorter as it too hard...Also when she takes it out she wets it... I dont i brush the tail and leave it wavy.