The art of braiding horse hair takes a little bit of practice and a whole lot of patience.
If you're a beginner you can expect to spend at least 2 hours on the job the first time you try, and you and your horse may both be exhausted when you're done.
But don't worry.
Like anything else in life, the more times you do it, the faster you'll get.
And believe it or not, you'll both come to enjoy the experience of braiding your horse's hair.
Shampoo The Day Before Never wash you horse's hair the same day you plan to braid it.
Just like your own hair, your horse's hair will be more difficult to manage if it's squeaky clean and you'll have flyaway hairs going every which way.
Shampoo at least one or two days before braiding horse hair and it will be a lot easier to work with.
Use A Good Conditioner Using a good conditioner helps you brush or comb through the tangles in your horse's mane, just like it does with your own hair.
However, remember to use the conditioner the same day you're shampooing the mane and rinse well.
You'll be applying a small amount of gel when you get started braiding and if there's too much conditioner in the mane it will be slippery and hard to work with.
Use A Good Quality Gel Imagine what your own hair looks like when you put it up in braids and then spend the day running and jumping at top speed.
It's quite a sight by the end of the day, isn't it? Use small amounts of a good styling gel as you're braiding your horse's mane to give the braids a little more staying power and help hold down those flyaway hairs.
Braid On The Proper Side The mane is traditionally braided on the right side for show hunters and event horses, and dressage horses can be braided on either side.
One of the benefits of braiding is that, after a period of time, it will help train your horse's mane to fall on the right side.
Use A Stool For Visibility To get the tightest braid you really need to start right at the root of the mane.
If you're not tall enough to comfortably see and reach your horse's entire neck then use a stool or crate to stand on.
Just make sure it's safely positioned so you don't fall off.
In the beginning it's going to take you longer to get that first braid right and you and your horse both might get a little tired or impatient.
It helps to have a snack on hand for both of you and, if you have to, let your horse take a break.
Braiding horse hair shouldn't be a terrible chore for either one of you and it won't be once you've had a little practice.
If you're a beginner you can expect to spend at least 2 hours on the job the first time you try, and you and your horse may both be exhausted when you're done.
But don't worry.
Like anything else in life, the more times you do it, the faster you'll get.
And believe it or not, you'll both come to enjoy the experience of braiding your horse's hair.
Shampoo The Day Before Never wash you horse's hair the same day you plan to braid it.
Just like your own hair, your horse's hair will be more difficult to manage if it's squeaky clean and you'll have flyaway hairs going every which way.
Shampoo at least one or two days before braiding horse hair and it will be a lot easier to work with.
Use A Good Conditioner Using a good conditioner helps you brush or comb through the tangles in your horse's mane, just like it does with your own hair.
However, remember to use the conditioner the same day you're shampooing the mane and rinse well.
You'll be applying a small amount of gel when you get started braiding and if there's too much conditioner in the mane it will be slippery and hard to work with.
Use A Good Quality Gel Imagine what your own hair looks like when you put it up in braids and then spend the day running and jumping at top speed.
It's quite a sight by the end of the day, isn't it? Use small amounts of a good styling gel as you're braiding your horse's mane to give the braids a little more staying power and help hold down those flyaway hairs.
Braid On The Proper Side The mane is traditionally braided on the right side for show hunters and event horses, and dressage horses can be braided on either side.
One of the benefits of braiding is that, after a period of time, it will help train your horse's mane to fall on the right side.
Use A Stool For Visibility To get the tightest braid you really need to start right at the root of the mane.
If you're not tall enough to comfortably see and reach your horse's entire neck then use a stool or crate to stand on.
Just make sure it's safely positioned so you don't fall off.
In the beginning it's going to take you longer to get that first braid right and you and your horse both might get a little tired or impatient.
It helps to have a snack on hand for both of you and, if you have to, let your horse take a break.
Braiding horse hair shouldn't be a terrible chore for either one of you and it won't be once you've had a little practice.