Braiding Manes and Tails for Beginners

A long, flowing mane and tail look great. However, for some show classes braiding the mane and tail is required. It is also traditional in the show jumping arena. Learning how to do it well can take time but producing a passable braid is not hard.

For the mane, there are three kinds of braiding. Beginners are best served learning a traditional braid, but French braids (similar to the one you might use in your own hair or Arab braids (a single braid along the length of the mane) are popular with owners of horses with very full, flowing manes.

For traditional braids, divide the mane into even, small sections. Place a braiding band around each one. These can be purchased at tack stores in colors that match your horse’s main. Starting at the horse’s ear, do a three strand braid of each section, securing it with the band at the bottom. Do not remove the band from the next section until the first is braided. Once the entire mane is braided, go back to your first braid and roll the braid upwards into a ‘bun’, securing it with a second band.

Tails should not be pulled if you intend to braid them as pulling leaves the top of the tail too thin. Starting at the very top of the tail,pull a thin strand from each side of the tail and then a third from the center and twist. Repeat this process until you reach the bottom of the horse’s dock (the bony part of the tail). At this point, you should have a French style braid running down the dock and long hairs in your hand. Use a braiding band to secure the long hairs then continue, making a three strand braid with the hair you have until it becomes too thin. Secure it with a second band and then tuck it into the first band, making a thin but flat loop.

Then practice. The more you braid, the better your braids…and your horse…will look.