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Fashion your pony’s mane for English with rubber band braids or western competitors with mane banding.
Rubber Band Braids
Supplies:
◆ Braiding rubber bands that match your horse’s mane (white was used right here so that they had been simpler to see)
◆ Metallic pulling comb
◆ Hair clip
◆ Braiding spray or hairspray
Braiding your horse’s mane is simple to be taught with this method utilizing rubber bands. All it takes is a little bit of observe! These braids aren’t acceptable for A-circuit hunters (you’ll nonetheless want numerous tiny yarn braids there), however must be completely high-quality for education reveals, jumpers, eventing and dressage competitions.
Step one is to prep your horse’s mane to the precise size. If he’ll allow you to pull it, this thins out the hair properly and makes braiding a lot simpler. If he hates having his mane pulled, the excellent news is you may nonetheless do the braids, they’ll simply be rather a lot greater than what’s proven right here.
We don’t advocate chopping straight throughout with scissors to shorten a mane. This leaves a blunt and unnatural edge. Strive a SoloComb, clipper blade or scissors turned vertically to shorten whereas maintaining a pure edge if you happen to’re not pulling.
Both approach, get the mane to about 5 to six inches in size, and also you’re able to go!

1. Beginning on the high of the mane, measure a bit about as huge throughout as 4 fingers. Clip the remainder of the hair out of the way in which. Dampen the hair and braid tightly, pulling downward. Safe on the backside with a rubber band. To drag the braid up, fold in half and use a second band to safe (proven).

2. Fold in half yet one more time and end off with a 3rd band. At all times preserve braids pointed downward and pushed towards the crest of the neck.

3. Proceed braiding all the way in which down the neck, maintaining the dimensions of every braid the identical.

4. Pull up the braids one after the other, folding in half after which folding once more. Don’t overlook to braid the forelock utilizing the identical methodology. You then’re achieved and able to present!

Banding the Mane
Supplies:
◆ Black rubber braiding bands (these work on any shade horse)
◆ Comb
◆ Scissors
◆ Hair clip
◆ Braiding spray or hairspray
Banding for the western present pen has the identical goal as braiding: to current a neat, tidy look in entrance of the decide and to indicate off your horse’s neck. As with braiding, observe, observe, observe makes good! Don’t simply wing it the morning of your present.
Prep the mane by shortening it to about 4 or 5 inches lengthy; you may at all times take extra off later. Give it a deep clear with shampoo to take away any dust, mud and dander on the roots. Don’t situation although, since you need to have the ability to get a great grip on the hair.

1. Spray hair with water or braiding spray and comb. Separate in order that the identical quantity of hair is in every band for the most effective completed product. Be sure that to part off utilizing a comb so the mane is split with straight traces.

2. Maintain the mane down and near the neck, banding excessive up on the hair. Wrap the band with no overlap so it lies flat. Don’t wrap so tight that the hair “puckers.”

3. If any bands seem out of line on the finish, pull out to both facet whereas maintaining the part towards the neck to push the band up.

4. As a last step, press the hair all the way down to measure the size and ensure it’s even. Lower straight throughout with scissors or thinning shears (for a extra pure edge) if the size appears to be like uneven.
You’ll be able to tame the forelock with a little bit of child oil to maintain it mendacity flat, or put a band it in as nicely. All achieved!
This text on English rubber band braids and western mane banding initially appeared within the July/August 2019 concern of Younger Rider journal. Click on right here to subscribe!
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