Braiding Manes and Tails: A Visual Guide to 30 Basic Braids

I have been struggling for a couple years now to do the traditional Dutch Braid in my horse's tail for competitions. I usually get someone else to do it. They try to teach me but i just find it impossible, even though I am just fine at normal plaiting. I live in New Zealand and was browsing for a good plaiting book to help when I stumbled across this one. Not only is it cheaper to get this from Amazon.com in the US than from anywhere in Australasia, it is the best buy of a how-to book I've found. Within twenty minutes of opening the book to the Dutch Braid page and reading through the step-by-step diagrams and photos, all in large print text and beautifully laid out numbered lists, I was Dutch Braiding my horse's tail for the first time! The first few times were messy of course, but within a couple of days, with practice, it had neatened up and my fingers had memorized the pattern. Keep in mind I had never been able to master the braid in two years of actual PEOPLE trying to show me and teach me. The book allowed me to go at my own pace, think it through and watch where my fingers were going. Of course it helps if you have a patient horse (give him some hay to munch) and find a good place to tie him where you can also put the book up for easy reading while your hands are full of horse hair :o) Another good thing about this book is that it folds back on itself so even if you have a fence, you can hang it over the rail or wire and still be able to read it. I absolutely recommend this to people who fumble about with any kind of braids or forelock plaits (another I could never master until now) and really want to do it on their own. Lots of pretty braids and plaits to try - from easy to hard. It even lists some of the tools and utensils you will find helpful with braiding and tips for getting perfect plaits. The pictures are big and beautiful, the diagrams are all professionally hand-drawn and illustrated and the text is nice and big so that if you do prop it up somewhere you can still read it from a small distance.

love this book. love the size. looking to get into hair braiding and this is exactly what i was looking for.

im a first time braider and it has clear and basic pictures to help. it can still be confusing but its great to learn. i even was able to braid on a toy horse so its well done!

I had often admired the great braid jobs at shows and in horse photos. This book tells you everything you need and need to know to be a successful groom/braider. From technique, to tools this book has it all. The publisher was clever enough to make it durable enough to be barn and show worthy. It will stand up to the rigors of the tack trunk where I consider it to be a must! Riders and grooms of every discipline will benefit from this great book.

For the aesthetically inclined book lover, this is a must. It is spiral bound and beautifully composed with rich color, clear photographs and diagrams, and an easy to read format. My only criticism of the book was that there were no really intricate uncommon braids included. Growing up in the horse world, I have learned many braids, all of which are in this book. Unfortunately, there were no new braids for me to learn which seriously bummed me out. I'm not unhappy with my purchase though, as this is a clear and concise guide to braiding that I can use to teach students and friends.

I gave this to a 12 y at old as a gift. She loves it! Easy to follow directions

I can't wait to try these out! I have a mustang whose mane knots with the wind, so I wanted to learn to braid it but I wanted variety. I'll definitely be trying all of these on her for the fun of it :D (also, the braid on the front IS in the book. It's called a diamond braid but has a second name. I only glanced at it but on my iPhone kindle app it's 65% through). I like that it has various disciplines in here, too.

Our 7yr old granddaughter has learned to do a basic braid but wanted to do more styles on her horse Snickers. She's having fun learning. FYI- buy LOTS of small rubber bands. You'll need them.

Excellent book! Easy to follow and a must have for the barn!

Good product, nice to read! Thank you

Great pictures with well drawn informative pictures and informative text Excellent selection of different types of pliats / briaids The book is well designed. You can hang it up and read/ look at the pictures and plait /braid at the same time

Great fun and very descriptive in show how to do plaits etc. Book in designed so you can hang it up whilst working on your horse so you can follow instructions easily, keeping both hands free.

its really interesting. gives you lots of ideas to try