How to braid a ribbon into a horse’s tail

I learned how to braid tails years ago. When I was a child, I had several books with excellent illustrations and instructions on how to braid manes and tails. Long lost, more’s the pity. Then I braided manes and tails to show in hunt seat classes. Years passed. When my sons showed horses in Oklahoma, I braided tails again… mainly out of boredom. Then a few months ago, my mare River kicked another horse at an endurance ride. (Read about it here: River’s first endurance ride.) Red ribbons are used to signal that a horse would appreciate more space. Suddenly, how to braid a ribbon in a horse’s tail became important!

(See my post about braiding tails to wrap and tie up: How to braid and wrap your horse’s tail.)

Above: A ribbon woven into a basic French braid (fishtail). It’s easiest to start with a narrow ribbon and a fishtail braid.

Why braid a ribbon into a horse’s tail?

Ribbons are a way of communicating information about the horse. At endurance events, horses wear three colors of ribbons: red, green, and yellow.

The red ribbon

A red ribbon means that the horse has a history of kicking… or that the rider/handler wants to avoid the horse creating a history of kicking. It’s a polite request for extra space.

In fact, all horses kick. Some are very unlikely to do so. My mare Fantazia would never knowingly kick a person, and would probably never kick another horse. But she could if she wanted. Others are quicker to resort to their back hooves. This is definitely the case with River. All horses are more likely to kick in a new situation.

A good rule of thumb is to stay out of a horse’s bubble unless you know it very well indeed and are certain it won’t be bothered by crowding.

The green ribbon

A green ribbon means a green horse, or maybe a green rider. I’ve never had this very clear. In either case, green means be aware that the horse/rider combination may not know all the rules of the trail. They may react unpredictably…

Well again. Maybe we should treat all riders and horses with respect and care.

The yellow ribbon

A yellow ribbon means the horse is a stallion. I had never seen this before riding endurance. I suppose it means don’t ride your mare right up next to me.

You can read more about ribbons in my post on Trail etiquette: Do’s and don’ts of riding outside the arena.

People attach ribbons to tails in all sorts of ways. I find the easiest is to braid it into the tail. It also looks very nice! There are two basic ways of braiding tails, both used extensively in the hunter/jumper world. I will describe both, with videos, below. It’s a good idea to learn how to do the braids before attempting to add a ribbon!

(If you need a refresher on a basic three-strand plait braid, watch this step-by-step three-strand braid tutorial on YouTube.)

Above: I braided a big red ribbon with white stars on it into River’s tail for her second endurance ride. She had kicked a horse in the vetting area on her first ride, so I want people to give her a lot of space!

General tips

These apply to any type of braid.

1. It’s best if the tail is clean but not slippery. Don’t apply show sheen or Cowboy Magic. I’ve been using Healthy Haircare Moisturizer on manes and tails lately, and it is fine. It doesn’t make the hair too slippery.
2. Comb or brush the tail out first so you can pull the strands through without running into tangles.
3. Make sure you can reach the top of the tail easily. Stand on something if your horse is too tall.
4. If the horse’s tail is broken off at the top, it’s going to be much more difficult. You can skip the very top if it is broken off.
5. Grab strands from the side of the dock. You can leave the hair in the middle alone.
6. The smaller the strands, the easier it will be to make a neat braid. However, it takes longer that way, and it doesn’t look as nice (in my opinion). With experience, you will discover the right amount of hair to add for your purposes.
7. Practice, practice, practice.

What to do with the end of the tail?

You can stop the French or Dutch braid anywhere from halfway to all the way down the dock. I generally stop adding new hair about 3/4 of the way. At this point, keep braiding (normal three-strand braid) down to the bottom of the hair. I then double the braid up to where the French/Dutch braid stops. You can use a small rubber band if you have one, Loop it once or twice around the very end, then once or twice around the bigger braid at the top.

I generally do not have a rubber band. I just pull the strands of the braid through the upper loops and tie a knot. Once you add a ribbon, you can tie it in a bow.

The basic “fishtail” braid (French braid)

The easiest braid is the equivalent of a French braid for humans. A YouTuber told me it’s called a fishtail braid in horses. Essentially you simply braid down the tail, starting at the top of the dock. Fold the strands into the tail. You add a small bit of hair from the side of the tail every time you fold a strand down. You can watch my narrated video below.

Above: How to do a basic French (fishtail) braid, starring Swashbuckle the Quarter Horse.

Leaving the braid on the outside (Dutch braid)

This is how I braid my own hair most days. At this point I don’t think I could even do a French braid in my own hair! I started doing Dutch braids because I think they look better. I also think they look better in a horse tail, but unfortunately they are quite a bit more difficult to do. At least, they are now that I am rusty! Basically, you have to pull the ends under and up rather than down, as you can see in the video below.

You really need a horse with sufficiently long hair at the top of the tail to do this one well.

Above: A slightly crooked and decidedly too far to the right Dutch braid. You can tell I am out of practice. Swashbuckle was very patient here!

Adding a ribbon to the braided tail

The only reason I am doing tails at all nowadays is to add a red ribbon to River’s! At the Western Mojave endurance ride last month, I braided a big red and white ribbon into her tail. (Read about River’s second endurance ride.) It looked nice, but it’s easier to start with narrow ribbon, as I do in the video below.

If you do use thick ribbon, you will want to fold the ribbon around the strands of the braid. I will add a video of that technique later.

If you are struggling to add a ribbon to the braid, you can start by simply looping the ribbon through an already braided tail. Or attach a bow to it at the top!

However, it is actually easier to braid with a ribbon, because it helps you keep the strands neat. Just start with a narrow one. The start of the braid can be a bit tricky, but once you get a few strands in, it becomes easy.

Above: Braiding a ribbon into the fishtail or French braid. River is very patient about this!

Note that I use a fishtail, or French, braid. River’s tail is not quite long enough at the top for me to do a Dutch-style braid.

FAQ

Why braid a ribbon into a horse’s tail?

Ribbons signal information to other riders: red typically means the horse may kick and needs space; green indicates a green horse or rider; yellow is often used for stallions. Braiding keeps the ribbon secure and clearly visible. Braiding and ribbons also look nice! It is standard practice to braid manes and tails for hunt and racing events.

Which braid is best for adding a ribbon—French (fishtail) or Dutch?

A French (fishtail) braid is usually easiest for beginners and works well with shorter hair. A Dutch braid sits on top and can look more pronounced, but it requires more length and control.

What ribbon width should I use?

Start with a narrow ribbon (about 1–1.5 cm / 3/8–5/8 in). Wider ribbons are more visible but trickier to keep tidy until you’re confident with the technique.

What supplies and tools do I need?

A clean, dry tail; a comb or brush; a narrow ribbon; optionally a small rubber band; and a step stool if needed. Avoid slippery conditioners before braiding.

How long does the braid take?

Once you’re comfortable, a French (fishtail) with a ribbon typically takes 10–15 minutes. Your first few attempts may take longer—plan 20–30 minutes.

How do I secure the end of the braid?

Stop adding hair about three-quarters down the dock, finish a standard three-strand plait, then fold it up and secure with a small band or by threading strands through and knotting. Tie the ribbon in a bow if you like.

Can I leave a braided ribbon in overnight?

It’s better to remove it after your ride. Tight or long-term braids can stress hair and skin. If you must leave it, keep tension moderate and check daily for rubbing or tangles.

What if the tail hair is short at the top?

Start the French (fishtail) slightly lower where hair is longer, or loop a short ribbon through the braid after it’s started. Avoid forcing tight sections on very short or broken hair.

Any safety tips when braiding?

Use general safety rules: Make sure your horse knows you are there, stay close to the back end (if it does kick, the force is less if you are close), and don’t try it if your horse is not calm. Don’t use slippery products, and avoid accessories that could snag on brush or tack.

Are there competition or event rules about tail ribbons?

Conventions vary by discipline and event. Red commonly signals a kicker, green a green horse, and yellow a stallion, but always follow local or organizer guidance and posted rules.