Tools for Braiding a Horse's Mane

Horses that enter the show ring are often expected to do so with braided manes. There are a few schools of thought on how to braid the mane so that it is attractive and secure. To begin the braiding process, you'll need a horse with a trimmed or pulled mane and a stool to stand on to reach the mane easily.

  1. Body Brush, Mane Comb and Hair Clips

    • The first step involves brushing or combing the mane and dividing it into sections. Use a body brush to smooth out the mane, moving on to using a mane comb for dividing the mane into sections. Focus on working on one section of mane at a time, completing the braiding process before moving to a new section. Pin back the portion of the mane that you aren't working with, using a metal hair clip, sometimes called an "alligator" clip.

    Water, Egg Whites or Braiding Solution

    • Once the mane is divided into sections or you have your first section separated from the rest of the mane, you'll need to smooth down the mane before you braid it. Accomplish this by wetting it with water, brushing egg whites on it or applying a braiding solution such as Quic Braid. The water will keep the hair dense and easier to braid than dry hair, but the egg whites or braiding solution will make the mane a bit sticky or tacky and easier to work with.

    Rubber Bands, Needle and Thread or Yarn and Pull-Through Device

    • The braiding process and the securing of each braid could follow one of several approaches. One method is to secure each braided section at the bottom with a rubber band, roll the braid under to form a "bobble" and secure the bobble in place with another rubber band. You also might use a needle and thread to sew the bottom of the braid closed, turning it under and sewing it in place. Alternately, you could incorporate yarn into the braid itself, rolling the braid into place using a pull-through device, such as a rug hook or a Speedy Pull Thru. Use rubber bands, thread or yarn that is as close to the horse's mane color as possible.

    Mane Tamer

    • Once the time-consuming task of braiding your horse's mane is done, you won't want the horse to do anything to ruin the clean, polished effect you've created. By putting on a mane tamerover your handiwork, you'll ensure that the mane stays just as you created it, right up until show time. A mane tamer stretches over the neck of the horse, securing the mane in place underneath the tamer's fabric.