Tips

Download Decorating the Mane taken from the Summer 1987 Draft Horse Journal (Requires Acrobat Reader)

DRAFT HORSE DECORATING TIPS:

1.      Do not show sheen the mane or tail before braiding

2.      Use a de-matting rake to shorten the mane to an appropriate length (5”-6”)

3.      Keep horses head tied up while braiding until mane roll is removed to keep the mane roll from loosening

4.      Tie the ends of the mane roll in a slip knot to assist in leverage while braiding the mane

5.      For halter classes always roll the entire length of the neck to make the neck look as long as possible (Mares are not typically braided for halter classes)

6.      Use a braiding bench so that you are standing at an even level with the horses mane so that you can see what you are doing

7.      Put 7 rosettes in the mane roll for a halter horse and 5 rosettes for a hitch horse approximately 3” apart

8.      For hitch horses you can put the collar on prior to braiding if you have problems estimating where to end your mane roll.  This works especially well if you are running behind at a horse show

9.      Always wait until the collar is on the horse prior to putting in the rosettes to keep the rosettes from being flattened

10.  When putting the rosettes in the mane roll start with the top, bottom and middle then fill in the rest of the holes

11.  Wetting the hair will allow you to get the braids tighter. You can use a product called ‘Quic Braid’ available in most tack shops.

12.  During fly season spray your horse with fly spray to prevent them from swishing their tail.  The more they swish the more likely it will be that your tied tail will come undone.  Pyranha insect spray is what we find to work best. (www.pyranhainc.com) Plus it makes the horses’ coat shiny

13.  Use colors that are bright and attractive to the eye.  You want to draw positive attention to your horse without being too gaudy

14.  Use a dowel with a whole drilled in it in order to turn the mane roll right side in

15.  When making your mane rolls use a fabric that is stretchy (polyester or lycra).  This way when the horse tosses his head the mane roll will remain tight

16.  1 yard of fabric 54” long will yield 9 pieces of mane roll 4” wide (1 color)

17.  Need a mane roll quickly – Use cheesecloth and dye it to the appropriate color with fabric dye.  Both of these are available at your local grocery store.

18.  Head to the Dollar Store.  You can find some good things to use for this type of project, cheap.

19.  Be creative!

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

• Shoe laces / Twine to tie the tail  

• Mane Roll  

• Rosettes  

• Tail Bow  

• Tail Needle  

• Braiding Bench  

• Forelock Ribbon  

• Tail Sprigs  

• Mane and Tail Adhesive  

• Quic Braid

 

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