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Practice, practice, practice! Plaiting is different from hunter braids, and way easier. The key is to make your braids really tight. Make sure your mane is pulled to a proper length and thickness – no more than 4 inches long. Dampen the mane hair with water first.Then, starting just behind the bridle path, use your pulling comb to separate a section of hair – use the length of your pulling comb to measure the width of the section of hair. Pull out a rubber braiding band – I hold it in my teeth while I braid down so that I’ve got it ready when I finish. Divide your section of hair into three even-ish pieces and braid down as tight as you can. Rubber band the end snugly. Then, grab another rubber band. Fold the tail of the braid under, and roll it up – usually about four times – until it forms a round ball tight against the crest of the neck. Wrap the second rubber band around the ball, keeping it ball shaped against the side of the neck. It takes practice to get nice ball shapes and not sausages sticking out of the side of the neck, but that’s all the trick there is – practice! Some people do this with a needle and thread, but I’ve found the bands to be pretty easy and neat, so I use them instead. One great book that has pictures and step-by-step instructions is "Grooming to Win" by Susan Harris. Good luck!