Perfect plaits made easy with Smart Grooming

Our friends at Smart Grooming really are experts in turnout, so we asked them to explain how to create the perfect plaits. 

“The competition season is well underway! It’s time to dust off the plaiting kit and tidy up the mane.

Perfect plaits may not win you a rosette, but a beautifully plaited mane will not fail to catch the judge’s eye.

Here are our ten top tips for perfect plaits.

1. Prepare. Before you start, get all the plaiting products together. Wearing a plaiting apron is the easiest solution for keeping all the plaiting kit in one place. If you’re using needle and thread, it can be quicker to thread up the day before and have them ready in a pin cushion or sponge.

2. Lighting. Depending on when you plait, it may be dark outside. We recommend not relying on stable light, it can be patchy and all sorts of stray hairs may be hidden in shadow. If you use a headtorch you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re doing.

3. Confirmation. A cleverly plaited mane can enhance as well as disguise conformational issues. Sitting plaits on top of the neck can improve a weak top line. Lengthening the look of a neck can be done by adding in more plaits. To minimise the look of a cresty neck, sit the plaits lower into the mane. To give the neck a slightly shorter look, space the plaits out.

4. Section the mane. Before you start plaiting, section the mane evenly, securing each section with a band or clip. This will ensure perfectly even plaits.

5. Start your plaits at the poll. If a horse becomes restless during the plaiting process it will be easier to finish off plaits near the withers than those near his ears.

6. Keep the Tension. As you start the plait ensure there is tension on the hair and keep that tension all the way down to get a nice firm plait to fasten and roll up.

7. Plaiting products. Products designed specifically for plaiting and braiding will help achieve the desired look. Plaiting wax and plaiting gel tame stray hairs, giving significantly neater plaits.

8. Tackle the forelock. If you find it difficult to make a neat forelock plait, a French plait is a good way to bring in all the hairs from the side. Forelock grippers will also come in handy to pull the plait through, eliminating the need for any sewing.

9. Review. Check the plaits as you go down the mane, and tweak as necessary. Don’t be tempted to cut stray hairs or you’ll eventually end up with a spikey look along the crest. Use a plaiting product like wax or gel to smooth them down instead.

10. Practice. The most important advice we’ve saved until last – practice! The more you practice, the quicker and more accurate you’ll become. This is absolutely the best route to plaiting perfection.

Smart Grooming are an equestrian grooming brand that makes products that really work. Have a look at our plaiting range here."

Thanks Smart Grooming for sharing your expert tips with us. 

Make sure you visit Smart Grooming's website for more guides and follow them on TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. 

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