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It's time to braid for shows

Betsy Carter's horse column

Date published: 3/5/2004

WITH THE SUMMER show season right around the corner, it's time to start practicing your braiding skills to be ready for the first important show (for those whose discipline require braids).

For dressage riders, the first show is March 13 at Cedar Run Equestrian Center; for foxhunters the Commonwealth Foxhounds Hunter Pace is April 3 at Cedar Hill. Local show hunter riders' first show is at Lake of the Woods on April 4.

While many people do not bother to braid for local shows, you might want to practice, since Rose Mount Farm's Spring A-rated hunter show is April 15-18, 2004, and you'll have to braid for that.

It is easier to braid a mane that has not been freshly washed. Wash the mane a week before the show if it is very dusty. Clean manes are very slippery and hard to hold for making a tight braid.

Braiding slowly is not always the secret for a tight braid. Swift, rhythmic braiding with the same tension on each strand of braid produces the tightest braids. Braids should be equal in size and about -inch wide. The bottom of the folded edges of all the braids should create an almost straight line.

This means if your horse has that dip just in front of the withers, the braids in the dip should be longer to achieve the smooth look. Another trick to producing a clean, straight line is to make the braids at the poll a little longer than the others.

Wet the mane and comb it over so it lays as flat as it can and the hair is well organized. Periodically wet the mane, comb and smooth stray wisps with your fingers.

Straight parts between each braid help create a uniform appearance and keep the braids from pulling to the side. You should start with the same strand each time you start a braid, so each braid will look just alike.

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Date published: 3/5/2004