How to Braid a Horse's Mane

There are two main reasons why you would want to braid a horse's mane. One is for competition and the other is for trying to tame a mane at home. This how to braid a horse's mane guide will tell you how to do both kinds of mane braiding.

How to braid a horse's mane at home for training
If your horse has a particularly unruly mane that doesn't lie flat or on one side you can try to tame it by braiding it. This does not always work and is never permanent but it can help make your horse or pony look more presentable around the stable yard. Braiding your horse's mane for training it doesn't have to be perfect and pretty like braids for horse shows. This should be a fairly quick task and easy to do.

The tools that you need to braid a horse's mane for training are a small bucket with a little bit of water and a sponge or a small spray bottle will water inside, large hair clip, and mini elastic bands. You will find these mini elastic bands at any tack shop and they are inexpensive and come in a variety of colours. If your horse is tall you may need to stand on a bucket or stepladder to braid their mane.

Begin braiding your horse's mane at the top of their neck just behind the bridle path. Take your sponge, dip it into the water or use the spray bottle to wet your horse's mane. Then comb the mane over to the side you want (this should be the right side of the horse's neck). Next use your comb and separate a section of hair to use for the first braid. Try to make the part even and each section about one to two inches per braid. When you have separated your first section clip the remaining hair out of the way. Then you can simply braid the section of hair, making it pretty tight. When you reach the bottom secure the braid with a mini elastic band. Then you just have to repeat the process moving down the neck until all the mane is braided. Leave these braids in your horse's mane for a few days and then take them out. If your horse seems to be scratching at them a lot you should take them out sooner so he doesn't damage his mane.