How to Put Your Hair Up in a Hairnet for Riding

It’s an age-old question that has plagued equestrians since the dawn of time. Just how do hunter/jumper riders get their hair up under their helmets like that??

It may seem like a trivial aspect of turnout that doesn’t matter too much, but if you grew up with a conservative trainer who would immediately notice if you had one hair out of place, then you know just how important neat and tidy hair is!

Putting your hair up in a hairnet may look daunting at first, but after a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. Read on to see tips and tricks for achieving that perfect “hunter hair”!

Classic Hairnet

Step 1: Part your hair in the middle, so there is an even amount on each side.

Step 2: Place hairnet overhead with the knot at the back of the head. Pull the net down over your nose and your ears. Make sure hair is laying flat over your ears with only half of your lower ear still showing.

Step 3: Gather your hair in a low ponytail incorporating the hairnet as well. Secure in a low pony with a hair tie.

Step 4: Move hairnet from over nose up to the hairline and halfway over the ears.

Step 5: Take excess hair in a ponytail and flip it on top of the head.

Step 6: Tilt head forward and place the helmet on the head in a back-to-front motion keeping the excess hair under the helmet.

Step 7: Adjust the helmet if needed and admire your work! A second hairnet can be used to contain extra long or thick hair. Or if you have shorter hair, a few bobby pins at the base of the ponytail can help contain stray hairs!

No Knot Hairnet

Step 1: Part hair so it lays flat and even on each side.

Step 2: Place the hairnet over your head like a necklace. Lay your hair smoothly over your ears with only half your ear still showing.

Step 3: Pull hairnet up over your face, so the end of the hairnet is just above your eyebrows then pull the rest of the net to cover all your hair in a tube-like fashion.

Step 4: Adjust hair over ears if need be.

Step 5: Gather the hairnet with all your hair in your hands and flip it over your head.

Step 6: Tilt head forward and place the helmet on the head in a back-to-front motion while keeping the hair under the helmet.

Step 7: Adjust the helmet if needed and admire your work! This hair net can also be used with a ponytail for extra security.

 

Ellsworth Jumper Hair Net

Step 1: Part your hair in the middle, so there is an even amount on each side.

Step 2: Place your hand through the pony tail hole of the hairnet and gather hair at base of neck, pull the rest of the hairnet overhead from back to front.

Step 3: Tighten pony tail by twisting the slack of the hairnet under your pony tail and running your hair back through until desired tension is achieved.

Step 4: Adjust front of hairnet into base of hairline.

Step 5: Adjust sides of hairnet to cover half of ears

Step 6: For pony tail out, place the helmet on the head making sure the base of the pony tail is outside the back of the helmet, ensuring a close fit of your helmet to the base of your skull.

Optional*:  Gather excess hair from pony tail and tuck into base of hair net smoothing it in a back-to-front motion keeping the excess hair under the helmet. Tilt your head forward and apply helmet back to front.

Remember, practice makes perfect and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Check out our video of how to apply each of these styles and our reviews below!

Check out our Favorite Horse Riding Hairstyles for Competition here! No Knot Hairnets are great for super long or thick hair, and you don’t even need a hair tie! Ellsworth hairnets are a favorite with Jumper riders, most juniors riders in the hunters, ponies and big eq tend to go with the classic heavy duty hair nets.  Check out our collection of Equestrian Hair Nets here! Let us know which style is your favorite!