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!
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Tie your horse up
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Begin by tying your horse up. Give him some hay, if you think he'll need distracting, while you plait.
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Step 3:
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Brush the tail
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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.
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Step 4:
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Dampen the tail
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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!
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Step 5:
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Plait the tail
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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.
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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.
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Step 6:
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Secure the tail
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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.
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Never leave a plaited tail on overnight! Your horse will try to rub it off!
