Braided Brilliance | FEI groom and equine braider

Recently I wrote a post on Facebook (see it here) about having walked out on a horse on three separate occasions (to clarify, I’ve braided hundreds of horses and walked out a total of 3 times).

However, the post seemed to rub some people the wrong way lol. I was called lazy, unprofessional, and some other names in comments and in private messages. Double-lol.

This week was a bit slow so I took on some day braiding.

One of the horses had never been braided before and he was a biter. Got me good once. Another shook his head, wiggled, and stomped his feet the whole time. Both needed mane pulls (the owners asked me to pull the manes PRIOR to braiding – thank you for that!!!).

See results in the pics below I’ll say this again so the bossbabes in the back can hear: can I braid anything? Yes. Will I braid anything? No.

I’ve set up my business so that I work with a certain type of clientele and they are all aware of my boundaries and standards. And yes, if these boundaries are not respected, your horse will not be braided. This is a two way street!

So, who is my clientele then?

Horses whose manes are pulled and otherwise correctly prepped (no showsheen etc) OR whose trainers/owners inform me IN ADVANCE that mane prep is needed.

Horses who stand nicely when braided (no biting, kicking, dangerous behaviors, constant/violent head shaking).

Horses whose trainers/owners communicate with me actively throughout the show about stalls, yarn colors, schedule changes if needed.

Horses whose trainers/owners are respectful, professional and nice. If I’m nice to you, why wouldn’t you be nice to me?

Horses whose trainers/owners make timely payments. I believe that if your braids were provided on time, payments need to be on time too. Remember, two way street!

Why do I have these requirements? Because I want to provide beautiful braids and have happy clients.

Need braids? I braid in NJ, NY, PA, MD, MA, CT and FL (winter season)