There’s something magical about braiding a horse’s mane.
It starts out elegant — a calm grooming session, gentle sunlight, you feeling like a medieval princess preparing her noble steed.
Five minutes later, there’s hair in your mouth, your horse’s tail has somehow joined the battle, and you’re realizing this is less “royalty” and more “barnyard wrestling.”
But that’s part of the fun.
Why We Braid
Sure, braids look beautiful in the show ring — neat, traditional, polished.
But they’re not just for looks.
Braiding keeps the mane tidy, prevents tangles, and even helps muscles along the neck stay cool and visible during competition.
Plus, it’s a small moment of connection — your hands working, your horse relaxing (or pretending to).
The Reality
Every horse has a “braiding personality.”
Some stand like saints. Others… think your comb is out to get them.
And somehow, no matter how perfectly you start, there’s always one rogue braid that refuses to behave.
Still, when it’s done — when that last strand is tucked and the mane gleams —
you stand back, brush off the stray hair from your shirt, and smile.
Because beneath the chaos and the hay, there’s something quietly wonderful about the ritual.
A horse who trusts you enough to stand still,
and a rider who loves them enough to try — again and again — for the perfect braid.