Horse Hair Braiding Techniques

There are several techniques you can use to braid a horse's mane and tail. Braiding a mane and tail helps show off a horse's conformation. Keeping the mane tidy and braided displays the animal's top line to the judge and spectators. Some showing styles and breeds require specific types of braids.

  1. Hunter Braids

    • Hunter braids are traditionally done on the horse's right side. You can do 20 to 40 braids, depending on the mane's thickness, length of the horse's neck and the person doing the braiding.

      Pull and shorten the mane hair to between 4 and 6 inches before braiding. Plait a small chunk of hair and tie it using yarn or elastic bands. Then fold it under itself and pull it through the top of the plait. The braid secures itself by creating a small knob that presses the braid against the horse's neck.

    Button Braids

    • Button braids are common in dressage, jumpers and the jumping phase of eventing. This technique usually results in 12 to 25 braids. Button braids will differ in size depending on the groom. These braids are larger than hunter braids and shaped like a ball.

      Plait the mane with yarn and loop it through itself twice before tying it at the top. An evenly pulled mane that's 5 to 7 inches long works best for these braids.

    Running Braid

    • A running braid is useful for breeds that shouldn't wear short or pulled manes but are competing in the hunter ring or in dressage. Breeds such as Friesians, halflingers and gypsy vanners will use running braids when competing in non-breed-specific horse shows. A running braid is a half French braid that starts at the horse's poll and continues along the neck, parallel to the crest, to the withers.

    Tail Braid

    • While not usually mandatory at a horse show, a braided tail can tail highlight the horse's haunches and make the long portion of the tail hairs look thicker and fuller. It gives a refined, finished look to the English show horse.

      A tail braid starts at the top of the dock. French-braid down the center of the dock using the very outside hairs to about three-quarters down the length of the dock and tie it off. Wrap the tail of the braid around the dock and secure, pull it up through the braid or shape it in a pinwheel.