How to Braid a Pinwheel on a Horse

In hunter competitions, a horse's tail is often braided to help show off its form and give the horse a refined look. The pinwheel, while not the traditional method of finishing a hunter's tail braid, is a popular alternative to both the loop or the wrap because of its somewhat fancier appearance. A wheel-like braid that is usually between 1 and 2 inches in diameter is formed at the bottom of the French braid.

Things You'll Need

  • Wool
  • Latch hook
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Instructions

    • 1

      Braid the horse's tail in a French braid starting at the top of the dock just as you would when doing a traditional loop-style finish. About 2 inches above the bottom of the dock, stop French braiding and continue to combine the remaining three pieces of tail in a simple braid.

    • 2

      Double over a 30-to-36-inch piece of wool that matches the tail color and incorporate it into the braid, starting about 6 inches from where the end of the braid will be. Continue the braid for 6 inches. Flip the ends of the yarn over top of the braid and pull it back through itself to knot it. Repeat the knot to ensure it will not come loose. The length of the simple braid will determine the diameter of the pinwheel. A rule of thumb is to tie the braid off about hock level.

    • 3

      Separate the remaining length of hair from the braid into two equal sections, each containing one piece of the wool. With one piece in each hand, use your thumbs to gently roll the braid back onto itself while holding the two sections of unbraided hair and wool in your palms. Keep tension on the braid as you roll it to ensure that the pinwheel is tight. Continue to roll the braid until it is sitting on top of the French braided portion of the tail.

    • 4

      Hold the pinwheel steady with one hand and insert the latch hook from right to left behind the French braid at the pinwheel's midway point. Hook the portion of tail hair and wool on the left side and pull back through to the right. Do the opposite from the other side. Separate the wool from the hair. Wrap the wool around the back of the pinwheel from either side and secure with a double knot. Cut the ends of the wool 1/4 inch from the knot.