Plaiting a 'skinny neck' with show rider, Louise Bell

9m 27secs
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Posted: 08/10/2008

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Louise Bell is one of the most successful show riders in the UK and a prolific working hunter winner. So she should know a thing or two about plaiting. In this gem of a video, Louise shows how to plait using a combination of rubber bands and needle and thread and she offers some unusual tips. She also shows us how to make a skinny neck look like it has an impressive crest. A clever illusion to show your horse off to its best and gain that extra mark, whatever discipline you compete in. She also braids the forelock beautifully!

Louise Bell's tips for plaiting a skinny neck

Smooth the mane down with a damp brush and spray in a little sticky plaiting fluid.

Divide the mane into large chunks, about the width of a mane comb, and band them to separate.

Thread your needle and pull the thread through a lump of wax to make it sticky.

Plait upwards at the start of each plait which will make the plaits stand up more and give them 'wings'.

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Comments

jessxandxherxarabian 8 May 2011 I love Louise's videos, I would love to see more from the showing queen!!!

Phee 29 Jan 2011 Wow your plaits are AMAZING!!!!!

Horse Hero Guru 26 Jun 2009 Farrieress, I agree that the tradition has always been to use an odd number of plaits, but when you are undertaking ‘cosmetic surgery’ as Louise is here, the important thing is the size and placing of the plaits – after all, the judge is going to be looking at the shape of the neck rather than count the plaits!

BSJAjess 26 Jun 2009 My pony has quite a swan neck and a little bit of under-muscle, so I do these plaits all the time, thank you, this video really helped me - now I can make my plaits look even better!

Farrieress 26 Jun 2009 Sorry to nit pick but are even plaits down the neck correct? I was always told odd down the the neck and the forelock makes it even? Very handy for plaiting my two year old! The girl in the box next to me al Royal Cornwall, her forelock didn't look like it was rolled at the end in fact it looked like it had beed folded back on itself and sewn in but looked very smart but I cannot for the life of me replicate this. And ideas? Many thanks, great video!