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Plaits found in manes

The Horsewatch Code = MARK IT, STAMP IT, CHIP IT, CODE IT - OR LOSE IT !
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TracingEquines
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Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

MANE/TAIL PLAITING

MANE PLAITING & WHITE WITCHCRAFT

At Sussex Horse Watch we often get reports from horse/pony owners that they have arrived to attend to their equine to find them with a plait in its mane or tail. All kinds of theories have been put forward, mainly “it has been marked for stealing” well, let me say right here and now that there is no known or reported case of any horse/pony being stolen that has had a plait put in its mane/tail.

After studying the various reported cases of plaiting we found that two things stood out.

Fact one, after having gone several weeks with no reports suddenly it was found that dozens of reports came in within a few days of each other, then die down to nothing again for several weeks.

Fact two, again studying dates when the plaiting takes place it was discovered that they fitted in with White Witchcraft Festival dates. So one of our members contacted a friend who lives in Somerset and who is a White Witch and put this to her. Below is her reply.

The first festival is Imbolc on Feb 2nd, Spring Equinox on 20th March, Beltane 30th May, Summer Solstice 21st June, Lughnasadh 31st July - the latter two are masculine festivals and generally honor gods rather than goddesses.

The next big festivals on the Pagan Wheel are Samhain 31st October and Winter Solstice on Dec 21st.

There may also be other dates when the plaiting happens that are personal to a particular 'witch'. Full moons may also be used if she is performing a particular piece of magic.

I understand that it's worrying for you all but I honestly think that horses are very special to these people and that they would do anything to protect them.

Hope that helps.

She had already told me, when I said, ‘Why couldn’t they just ASK?’ that to them it weakens the spell if they speak about it. So – I know it’s very, very worrying but if it IS this reason, then the intentions are never ever malicious.

Taken from Sussex Horsewatch - http://www.sussexhorsewatch.webs.com/



If you find a plait in your horse's mane, then yes be aware that it could mean something in the way of someone marking your horse.

Take a photo of it, post here to show people and report it to your local horsewatch group.

But also be mindful that it could be white witches or kids messing around.

If every horse that was reported to be plaited was stolen, then there would be an epidemic of horse stealing going on
TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Here are some examples of plaits, posted by MHOL on the H&H forum back in November 2009
Link - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/s ... ost8033488

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TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Official Horse Watch response

Posted by MHOL on the H&H forum back in December 2009
Link - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/s ... 283&page=5
(top of page 5)

As many of you will know they is an unprecedented number of reports being received from different parts of the country about horses’ manes being plaited.

The overriding question is why? In short there is no given answer. Depending who is spoken to the answer may be that the plaits indicate the horse has been identified for stealing. Others will say that the plaiting coincides with the time of the year, position of the sun, moon and that the plaits are symbols of others beliefs, rites and rituals. On the other hand the plait may be the result of natural movement of the horse combined with its close contact with hedges, gorse. These “plaits” can have colloquial names such as tigs, twassels, teesels, torgs………

All plaiting incidents need to be examined individually and a decision on what to do made on facts as identified. It would help if all plaiting incidents were photographed so that within each county a log is maintained. This would help to appreciate exactly what plaits look like and determine their relevance

It is probably best to keep an open mind about the plait debate as it does not help the equine community to create a fear of crime if none is justified. This was demonstrated recently when a horse was allegedly reported stolen from Guildford, found abandoned outside the port of Holyhead, with a plait in its mane! Subsequent investigation revealed there was no theft, therefore no abandonment or plait.

As with all matters affecting horses and property the over riding message is remain vigilant, be suspicious and report all matters causing concern to your local police and Horsewatch.


And please only post if YOU have the incident number
TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Holbeach East Rural Npt
5:02pm Jan 12

Incident on 7/01/12, horse owner went and checked on her pony in the Whaplode area and found her horses maine had a plait in it tucked underneath. Can horse owner beaware and check horses and if anything suspicious call Lincs Police on 101. Pic of below what the plait looked like.

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(admin - cross posted on to Lincolnshire Horsewatch - 2012 topic)
TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Sue Crompton
9:14am Jan 13

Horsewatch nationally has no evidence to link plaiting with theft. A genuine plait indicates that someone has been handling the horse, so check fencing and security, change your routine perhaps visiting at different times. My ponies can develop wind plaits overnight, and although kept in the same way (natural-long mane) one does and the other doesn't.
TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Dear All

Some time overnight Wednesday/Thursday this week, a horse kept on a piece of land between at Harts Green (midway between Westfield and Sedlecombe) had a plait put in it's mane. Many of you have not seen a plait so I have attached a copy of one.

Regards

Phillip

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(cross posted on to Sussex Horsewatch topic)
TracingEquines
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

20 May 2012

Horse Watch colleagues,

we recently had an incident reported by a concerned owner that their horse's mane had been plaited. Folklore has it that "Gypsies" do this to mark the animal before stealing that horse. Please note, that so far in Derbyshire, have had no incidents of horse bring stolen following a horses mane being plaited.
There are a number of explanations for these plaits appearing. Sometimes, when horses rub, it causes the mane to knot and look as if it has been plaited due to static etc. Alternatively, if it is neatly plaited, this is the work of a "warlock" and this is part of a white magic ritual and is to do with ‘knot magick’. It would appear that for people of this belief, knot magick is used when they want to cast a spell. Some of the gods they worship have a strong connections to horses so, if they have a particular request, plaiting this knot in a horse's mane lends strength to the request. Warlocks state that this is a benign activity, albeit maybe a bit distressing for the horse owner. The last explanation is that a plaint was done with mischievous intent.

Inspector 1765 Erika Green
Derbyshire Horsewatch
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Sent out by Hampshire Horsewatch

Mechanical actions of plaiting

This sounds a little like an egg a grandma and a lesson in sucking scenario
But for those of you who plait your children’s / horses/ animal’s hair or who have made a Turks head knot I sincerely apologise. And for those poor boy scouts out there who have made their own plaited leather “Woggle” I sympathise.
We all know how to plait in the normal manner,
You separate the strands into three bunches and then with your fingers you twist each individual bunch and then pass it over the middle one alternating left to middle right to middle; Middle under left Middle under right, you do this from the fixed end and work your way to the loose end.
French plaits are a variation on this drawing the strands into bunches from the sides into the middle. Tension is always greatest at the start point (important factor)

Now if you’ve ever tried to make a Turks head or to plait a flat leather band (woggle) you’ll know both ends are secured or knotted and that the separation of strands into bunches is pretty much already deemed; plaiting is the action of taking the loose already knotted end and then passing it through the bunches first to the left and then to the right. The action in doing so twists the bunches first to the left and then to the right, the resultant plait is flat even and if in leather then it is always the same way up. Once you are used to it, it is a very quick way to plait but the tension is usually equal through out the plait.

Increasingly we are hearing of horses with plaited manes and inexplicable reasons as to why.
There are a number of cultural reasons and control methods using plaiting, but almost ALL call for the mane or tail to be plaited in the conventional manner from the root out and then the end secured either by a knot or binding.
Torqs as the name suggests is a twisting motion of the hair but yet again the almost always start from the root.
The majority of what we are seeing displayed show some form of adhesion of the hair at the lower loose end first. The resultant plait is then formed by the knot passing through the hair it has entangled, this leads to the separate parts being twisted in opposite directions usually one round the other.
This is as a result of natural action and can be started simply as a result of two horses necking and then high winds.
The effect of this type of plait is that it looks like it was plaited from the bottom up, the tightest part being near to the knot and loose and muddled at the root end, as once the mane and knot get to heavy to be lifted by the horse movement the plait stops.
Horses which suffer from this the most are those that are fair skinned and suffer from the effects of the sun also those which are vulnerable to yeast / skin disorders. No amount of grooming can avoid this.
On no account should any reported plaiting be ignored as it may still have significance.


Take a look at the attached and make your own decisions.

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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

The mane attraction

In the past week Suffolk police have received a few reports of horse owners finding plaits or unusual tangles in their horses’ manes.

There are occasions where the plait may have been “man made” but frequently the cause can be attributed to natural phenomena. Most reports of the plaits materialise around this time of year and is frequently attributed the mane getting tangled by wind, mud, and dried/ dying plants such as thistles

The opinion on the cause of plaits is varied; a search of the internet will bring up many theories from fairies, witchcraft and a marker for theft. None of these causes have been substantiated. The rumour that the ‘plaits’ are a marker for the theft of the horse is the reason that causes the most concern for horse owners. If the plaiting is a sign for possible theft then it is reasonable to believe that we would have an increase in horse thefts because horses whose plaits were not discovered would have been stolen and we would have seen a surge of numbers taken. However this is not the case.

This does not mean horse owners should drop their guard. They should always remain vigilant and continue to report any unusual activity concerning their horse. The usual advice is to report the matter to the police (by calling TEL 101) and your local Horsewatch. It would be useful if owners took photographs of the plaits and of the horse in full profile showing its mane with the plait in place when they are discovered. These should then be e-mailed to horsewatch@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Reporting these incidents will allow us to pick up any trends or patterns and photos will help us to collate the different appearance of the plaits and identify any similarities

What can you do to minimise the risk of your horse being stolen?
· Freezemark the horse – an external identification is your best deterrent against theft
· Ensure fencing is in good condition
· If practical, padlock the field gate and/ or padlocked and chained both ends to avoid the gate being lifted off its hinges.
· Mark the horse's rugs with the freezemark ID
· Avoid leaving headcollars on horses or on the gate or fence where horses are kept.
· Report suspicious activity to the police, such as unknown vehicles or people showing undue interest in your horse or property, particularly if it is on several occasions.

It is important that you make note of the following to pass to the police:
o Vehicle type, make and colour
o Vehicle registration number
o Any vehicle markings, such as a business or damage
o Description of occupants
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Re: Plaits found in manes

Post by TracingEquines »

Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Occasionally we receive reports from horse watch members of mane plaiting. We would like to reassure you that we are not aware of any horse having been stolen, in this area, as a result of its mane being plaited. There are various explanations for the plaits from pagan rituals to horses simply rubbing against hedges etc. However, it is always good to be cautious, remain vigilant and report anything suspicious immediately. If you find a plait and are particulary concerned, then we would advise you to take the following steps:-

* Take a photograph of the plait
* Remove the plait
* Inform the Police (dial 101)
* Move your horse/pony to an alternative location for a night or so if this is possible
* Inform neighbours, local residents and ask for them to keep any eye out
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