Styles of a Horse's Braided Mane

Horse owners may need to braid their horses' manes for a variety of reasons. Braiding, or plaiting, is most often used as part of preparing a horse for a competition as it shows off the neck to its best advantage. Braiding can also be used to keep long manes out of the way when clipping, or treating a wound on the neck. In very hot conditions, a sweaty horse will appreciate a braided mane for coolness. An assortment of styles of braid are available.

  1. Standard Braids

    • The most common form of braids, standard braids are used on show horses to give a smart appearance, and also allow the judge to see the horse's conformation clearly. The mane is divided into several sections, braided and then folded into small tight balls that are stitched into place or held with rubber bands.

      There should always be an odd number of braids running along the mane, as using an even number will give the optical illusion of dividing the neck into sections. It is also possible to use standard plaits to disguise a less-than-perfect neck. A thin neck will look thicker if the braids stand up above the top of the neck; a thick neck can be disguised by keeping the braids low down.

    Dressage Braids

    • Dressage braided are used for horses performing in dressage competitions, and are a variation on standard. The mane is braided in the same way, but the plaits sit on top of the neckline and are wrapped with white tape as a finishing touch. This helps the judge to see the movement of the horse's neck clearly.

    Rosette Braids

    • Rosette braids are another variation on standard braids, and are popular in Australia. The mane is braided in the same way as for standard braids, but the braids are rolled around the central point rather than being folded into shape. These braids are more fiddly to produce, but very attractive if done well.

    Running Braids

    • Running braids are useful to tie up an unruly mane for coolness or to allow access to the neck. They are also sometimes used on specific competition horses such as draft horses.

      The mane is braided from just behind the ears, working down the line of the neck in a continuous French braid. Ribbons and other ornaments can be worked into the line of the braid as well, before the end is tied off with a rubber band.

    Arab Braids

    • When Arab horses compete in the show ring, they have style of braiding specific to their breed. Most of the mane is left loose, with one braid just behind the ears. This ties the mane back and allows the judge to see the head clearly. The braid is normally worked through with ribbon, or finished with a bow.

      This style is also sometimes seen on Welsh ponies, who have a lot of Arab blood in their ancestry.