The Posable Horse is the perfect companion for the Posable Army Man. You should become proficient at making the Army Man before making the horse. Many of the same principles are used here, however, this project adds the complexity of hair.

You will need 8 feet of paracord, 8 feet of 22 gauge wire, lighter, scissors, wire cutters and a ruler to complete the horse.

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Step 1: Prepare the Paracord

Cut two pieces of paracord, one 36” and the other 60”. Remove the center strands and save for horse hair. Cut two pieces of 22 gauge wire the same lengths. Use a lighter to melt one end of each paracord outer sheathing and insert the corresponding length of wire in the center. Stretch the paracord along the wire and melt the other end of the paracord sealing the wire inside. Fold each length in half to find the center. Offset the center for the 60” cord by 2” as shown.

Step 2: Prepare the Horse Hair

Cut 6 pieces of the center cord to 12”. Two of these will be used for the tail and the remaining four will be used for the mane. Each cord is made of two strands twisted together. Separate the two strands at one end, then grab one strand while pinching the other and pull it straight out. This will work better than trying to pull them apart horizontally. Do this to all 6 pieces. Take each strand, spread it apart at one end and pinch it between the thumb and index finger. Using the fingernail on the thumb of the other hand and index finger; slide down the length of the strand causing it to separate and fluff up. Keep the tail pieces separate from the mane pieces. Fold the tail pieces in half and cut the loop, doubling the amount of hair. Very carefully melt the end of the cut tail pieces together and then tie an overhand knot to secure them. These fine strands are very flammable, so just a little heat is all that is needed.

Step 3: Make the Horse Nose

Flatten the center fold of the the 36” paracord. Overlap the 60” paracord at about 1/8” from the end. Make one wrap with the shorter lead of the 60” cord. Lay the center of the mane hair at the end of this wrap. Make two more wraps with the shorter lead to lock in the mane hair. Fold the mane hair back on itself and in between the center cords being wrapped around. Make 5 wraps with the longer lead of the 60” cord on top of the first wraps and mane hair.

Step 4: Make the Ears

Cross the longer lead of the 60” cord under the shorter lead then form the ears using the two leads coming from the center of the head. Be sure the mane hair can come out between the ears. Bring the leads from the 60” cord around to lock in the ears. Observe that the left lead crosses over the right lead.

Step 5: Start the Neck

Separate the mane hair into about four equal sections as shown. The three closest to the neck will be used to make the mane and the top sections will be used to make a tuft of hair between the ears. Pull the first section down between the ears and lay it along the bottom lead on the right side. Fold the top lead on the left side around the back, under the neck, bring it up between the two leads on the right, over the bottom lead and hair on the right and then back over to the left on the bottom. The weave for the neck is the same as a four strand Diamond Braid Stitch. Fold the top right lead behind, up between the two leads on the left and lay it down on the right side at the bottom.

Step 6: Continue the Neck

Pull the next section of mane between the ears and lay it along the bottom right lead. Repeat the weave in step five starting with the top left lead. Repeat this step one more time with the third section of hair, and then one more time without hair. The leads on top should be the shorter leads when done.

Step 7: Make the Shoulders

Using the short leads on top, fold them back on themselves to form the legs. Overlap the leads in the middle so they come out behind the leg loops. Use the longer leads to form loops around the legs as shown in the picture. Then tighten these loops to form the front shoulders of the horse.

Step 8: Make the Front Legs

Adjust the size of each leg loop to be 2 1/2” from the center of the neck as shown. Start the leg weave by bringing the leg leads from behind then up and over the bottom of the leg loop as shown. Continue weaving the legs until there are 6 loops on top of the legs as shown in the completed picture. The leads should exit out the top and back of the leg.

Step 9: Make the Horse Back

Fold the last two leads back across the top of the horse shoulder. Make the leg loops 3 1/2” long. Fold the leads under the horse and cross them in the middle. Start the back weave by folding the leads around and over each leg as shown in the picture. continue this weaving pattern until there are five loops on each side of the horse. This makes the back of the horse. Keep the weave tight.

Step 10: Add the Tail

Make one more weave on the back, keeping it loose so the tail can be inserted. Insert the tail and then tighten the weave. Lock in the back weave by bringing the leads around from the back and down inside the leg as shown.

Step 11: Make the Back Legs

Start the weave by bringing the leads from behind and in between the legs, over the top and down the center of the legs as shown. Continue the weave for each leg until there are six loops on the outside of each leg. The leads should finish pointing to the outside of the leg as shown in the completed picture.

Step 12: Finishing Touches

Cut the leads for each leg to 1/8” from the leg. Trim back the wire inside. Melt the lead with a lighter and smash down to finish the leg. Carefully melt the tail knot on the bottom of the horse and smash down to lock in place. Trim the tuft of hair between the ears to about 1/8” or as desired. Trim the tail and the mane as desired. The mane and tail can be made more fine or hairy by pulling the little hairs apart. Squeeze the horse’s back to make it a little narrower for the Army Man to sit on.