How to Braid My Horse's Mane in the Spider's Web Braid

The continental braid, commonly seen on Arabians and other show horses that have long manes, bears a resemblance to either a net or a spider web, depending on the person looking at it. The continental braid and its variation, the diamond braid, both create a neat and professional appearance in the show ring without having to cut off or dramatically shorten the horse's mane. These braid styles are common at breed shows where the breed standard dictates that horses are expected to have long manes.

Things You'll Need

  • Braiding bands (rubber bands especially intended for use on your horse's mane) in the color that is the closest match to your horse's mane
  • Mane comb
  • Hairspray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash and brush your horse's mane until it is completely free of tangles. Do not put any type of conditioning products on the mane, as these will make it harder to work with.

    • 2

      Separate the mane into sections that are approximately one-inch wide and wrap braiding bands around them to hold them in place, similar to banding a western mane. Complete the entire mane this way for the first layer of the continental braid.

    • 3

      Take the first two sections you have banded. Leave the one on the outside straight and split the second section into two sections below the rubber band. Use a second band to attach one of these sections to the outside band approximately two inches below the first band. This will create a diamond shape in between the two sections. Continue splitting sections in half all the way down the mane, creating a spider web-like pattern of diamond shapes in the mane. Make as many rows as necessary to contain the mane. The final product will resemble a net when completed.

    • 4

      Spray the finished mane down with hairspray to hold it in place.