Braiding the thick, medium-length mane

[ElbowRockFarm]

New horse has a super, thick mane that is about 6-8" long and had been cut straight across. He’s 7 years old and was an Amish buggy horse until about 3 months ago. We are transitioning him to a riding career as well as continuing to drive him. Part of his riding career is fox hunting which does require him to be braided on occasion. I typically do 12-15 button braids for hunt events, and even with my other thick-maned (but pulled to an appropriate length) horses, this has worked well over the years.

The problem - DH does not want me to pull/shorten this guy’s mane. I can do a running braid, but this mane is so thick and the length is a tad too short for a running braid. I tried twice this weekend. Fell out and looked like crap within an hour.

So, any advice or techniques for braiding the super thick, medium length mane??
(I know that pulling and shortening are the best answer, but I’m trying to appease DH on this somewhat superficial point.)

[trubandloki]

Would something like this (random video I found, not the one I was originally thinking of but shows the same basic technique I was thinking of) work?

How to Button Braid a Long Mane 🩵 Using Rubber Bands

[ElbowRockFarm]

Thank you! I’ve seen similar techniques, I just wasn’t sure if his was quite long enough to pull the strands through and incorporate into the next braid. I will just have to do a test run!

[sascha]

@ElbowRockFarm

I just wasn’t sure if his was quite long enough to pull the strands through and incorporate into the next braid

If it’s not long enough, just before you’re ready to end each braid, add in a few strands of yarn or waxed braiding string in the mane colour. That will give you plenty of extra length to join to the next braid. If you’re concerned about flyaways, you can actually braid down to the end of the hair and do a second tie off.

Adding that using a pull through is easier and less likely to make a mess than shoving your finger through the braid to pull the tail through.

[2DogsFarm]

Not sure this will help you, but for my mini’s Trolldoll mane (reaches well past his shoulder) I use a styling gel applied before I put in a running braid. Stays in through several driven arena classes.

[joiedevie99]

I intentionally keep my dressage horse’s mane around that length because the extra thickness makes for prettier braids. No need to handle them any differently, although the roll and sew (or pin) style of button braid is much easier than the hunter style fold over with that much body.

[ElbowRockFarm]

Great idea! I typically use yarn anyway as the elastics hurt my fingers.
I’ll try this if he gets out this weekend!

[ElbowRockFarm]

Your mini is adorable!! I did get the running braid tight and used QuickBraid. It still wouldn’t stay on him. I have managed a nice one in the past on a Morgan with a full, long mane. This one is just a weird in between length!

[happilyretired]

I have a Lusitano with a thick mane. I realize it will take some time … but consider letting the mane grow out and then doing a running braid will be quick when you need a neat braided look for shows. I keep my guys mane braided in regular longer braids on a daily basis to keep the man fairly neat and clean. I braid down about 5 times and then secure with a braiding band. If I’m lucky the braids stay in and fairly neat for a couple days at a time.

[beowulf]

I also intentionally keep my event horse’s mane that length. It’s no issue for braiding - I don’t pull either, and his mane is quite thick. It’s perfect for 20m braids.

I do “cobra” dressage braids, also called hooded braids. Braid thick 2-3" segments down the mane. Use rubber bands to secure. Take thin yarn or wax yarn and thread through a needle. Take one plait, and by the tail of the plait, start rolling up towards base of the neck. Take your needle, pierce the rolled/button braid by the rubber band, do this 2-3x, tie off the loose end, and cut. Super simple, takes 20m, and looks great. There are lots of tutorials on this forum, including by one of our posters – maybe @right_horse_at_the_right_time ?

Edit, found the original thread where COTHers patiently taught me how to do them:

Cobra Braids

Does anyone have a video source for the cobra braids that are popular in dressage? My mare needs some work on her neck and I think some cobra braids will thicken it up a bit. I found this video but I don’t think it’s quite right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTuvuvbGlDY

Sarah Millis' guide to plaiting for dressage

Here’s an old photo of how those came out back in 2016:

[ElbowRockFarm]

I will keep trying a running braid if it grows longer! I think someone cut it straight across which is why the length is so weird.

[ElbowRockFarm]

I may try the cobra braids to see if they take up some of the thickness. I’m concerned he may still have about 30 giant meatballs on his neck!

[IPEsq]

Maybe you could do the poufy Dutch style buttons that’s trendy in dressage these days? Looser at the top, not as many of them. You need a thick mane for these to look good. Otherwise you get poof and then a very sad looking rosette. I do around 11-13 on fine mane for rosettes. Longer and thicker mane with poof you could maybe do 7-8? Just start the braid by pulling the hair upwards and braid loosely the first couple of twists. Then braid normally and push the rosette up on the neck when you sew it in.

[happilyretired]

Yes – my guy’s mane had also been cut straight across when I got him. If you let it grow out it will develop a more natural varied length and will be both easier to put in a running braid and then more likely to stay in. But it does require patience to let it grow out — and then keeping the longer mane neat can be a challenge. I keep it in longer braids for everyday – braid down about 5 times and then band it so its sort of a paint brush look. I generally re braid every few days.

[ElbowRockFarm]

I will try these when I have some spare time!

[ElbowRockFarm]

I agree that letting it grow out would be helpful. I had no problem with a running braid staying on a horse with a more natural mane. Just not sure I have the patience to wait or deal with it!

[happilyretired]

You might be surprised – it didn’t take that long for my guy’s mane to grow out to a more natural mane. I think it does require more maintenance – I keep his mane braided in long braids which need replacing every few days. But he seems to enjoy our mane brushing and braiding sessions and they are a nice bonding time. If the mane gets itchy leading to lots of rubbing that can be an issue.