Mane plaiting is a skill that every horse owner should know. It can be used to keep the mane tidy and out of the way, as well as provide protection against rubbing. Plaits also look smart and can be used to show off your horse's mane in all its glory.

There are many different ways to plait a mane, and the method you use will depend on the thickness and length of the mane, as well as the effect you want to achieve. For a natural look mane plaiting, leave some mane unplaited at the top of the neck. If you're plaiting for a show, all the mane should be plaited and pinned in place.

Before You Start, you will need:

• A mane comb
• A mane brush
• Elastic bands
• Scissors
• A mirror (optional)

Plaiting a horse's mane has both practical and aesthetic benefits. Horse plait helps to keep the mane tidy and prevents it from tangling or getting caught on things. They also give the horse a neater appearance and can highlight the horse's natural features, such as the shape of its neck.

• Start with a clean, dry mane that has been brushed through to remove any knots or tangles.
• Use mane-specific products, such as mane conditioners and detanglers, to keep the mane healthy and manageable.
• If the mane is very thick, you may want to thin it out before you start plaiting. This will make the plaits neater and easier to do.
• Practice plaiting on a section of mane before you start on the horse's mane itself. This will help you get a feel for the process and avoid any mistakes.
• To prevent the braids from coming undone, use elastic bands that are specifically designed for manes (mane elastics).
• If you are not confident in your ability in doing horse braid evenly, you can use a mirror to check your work as you go.

Mane plaiting can be sewn or secured with rubber bands or yarn if you are practising methods or in a hurry. Stitching makes the horse braid look neater and more secure. To untie sewn horse plait or horse braid, use a dressmaker's stitch unpicker instead of scissors to avoid cutting into mane hair.

Traditional (hunting) horse plait or horse braid is permitted in most disciplines, with the exception of native ponies, pure-bred Arabs, and traditional cobs, which require natural manes.

Even so, it's crucial to check breed and organization requirements, as some breeds and societies allow for some thinning and shorter. For pure-bred Arabians, where the custom is to cut an exaggeratedly long bridle path, the restrictions are taken to extremes.

Traditionally, seven or nine horse plait were used down the neck, including one for the forelock. In the UK, it is generally considered that no more than eleven riders are required. The size and amount of horse plait should be tailored to your horse's shape.

A heavyweight hunter type looks better with a somewhat large horse braid separated apart, whilst a finer type of horse looks better with a tiny horse plait arranged slightly closer together.

1. Start by combing through the mane to remove any knots or tangles. If the mane is very thick, you may want to thin it out before you start plaiting.

2. Decide how many plaits you want to do. For a natural look, leave some mane unplaited at the top of the neck. For a show, plait all of the mane.

3. To make each plait, take a small section of mane and divide it into three equal parts. Cross the right-hand strand over the middle strand, then cross the left-hand strand over the new middle strand. Repeat this process until you reach the end of the mane.

4. Secure each plait with an elastic band.

5. Trim any excess mane from the bottom of each plait, then use your fingers to neaten up the plait and make sure the hair is lying flat.

6. Repeat this process until all of the manes are plaited. If you're plaiting for a show, pin each horse plait in place with hairpins.

When you have finished mane plaiting, it is usual to put a bandage on to protect the mane and keep the horse plait or horse braid in place. A mane comb can be used to neaten the mane if necessary.

If you are going to be riding your horse in a competition, it is important that the mane plaiting is free from dirt and grease so that the judge can get a clear idea of the quality of the horse's coat.

It is also important to make sure that all stray hairs are taken care of before you start plaiting, as they will only make the horse braid look untidy. Once you have learned how to do a horse braid, you will be able to do it quickly and easily, and your horse will look smart and well-groomed.

How often you plait a horse's mane depends on a number of factors, such as how long the mane is, how thick it is, what type of mane it is, and what sort of activities the horse will be doing.

For example, if you have a horse with a very long mane that is going to be competing in dressage or show jumping, you will need to plait it more frequently than if you have a horse with a shorter mane that is only going to be used for hacking.

As a general rule of thumb, you should plait a horse's mane at least once a week, and more often if necessary. If you are unsure about how often to plait your horse's mane, it is best to speak to a qualified groom.

Mane plaiting is a useful skill to learn if you want to keep your horse's mane tidy and free from knots. Plaiting a horse's mane is not difficult, but it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it. With a little bit of patience and practice, you will be able to plait your horse's mane like a pro in no time!