Braiding up a LONG forelock—show Sat, and I need help!

[wannabedvm]

I never done a braid on a horse with a forelock this long/thick (Gypsy Vanner). When braided down, it is down at his nostrils.

I can do the french braid part and braid down, no problem. I just don’t know what to do after that! I pull it through with yarn, but there’s still just too much length for me to put anywhere (the loop after it’s pulled up is still down between his eyes). I’ve seen people (see image below) roll it in a circle flats against the forehead, but I’ve no idea how they make it stay.

My attempt today is below…along with one example of how I might like it to look. You can guess which is mine.

(Yes, I know I don’t HAVE to braid up the forelock, but I prefer to.)

[Training_Cupid]

My horse’s forelock is past his noseband. OK I"m not good at explaining but what I do is french braid the top - usually just using the hair from the sides not the middle so it’s not too thick. Then when I get to the base I regular braid the rest of it, and I fold the regular braid in half and band it at the base. Then I put yarn through the end of this braid loop, and pull it up under the french braid, and secure. I don’t do any sort of knot or roll, there is just too much hair I think it would look silly! It’s hard to see but here’s a picture: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWlQ8bDx1Ls/WmY7D87Ds5I/AAAAAAAACbA/WriBYDK3Qa02x6dMq_rnRBrpWMjCq9OfQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180121_091511.jpg

[DressageChic2]

i dont think your attempt is too bad, it just needs to be tighter and neater, wet it down with some gel?

[theresak]

When you pull it up, are you pulling from the very top of the forelock? I use a rug hook and stick it in at the very top of the braid and then pull the braid up to that point. You could even fold it in half and pull it up already doubled up. After pulling it up and tying if off, you can fold it again at the bottom and take some yarn or thread and tie that portion up as well.

Also, I like to make sure wherever I knot or band the braid that the tie doesn’t squeeze that part of braid tighter than the whole braid - so the first picture in your post it looks like it’s tied really tight and then the bottom of the braid kind of puffs out below the knot. I’d loosen the tie so the whole braid is the same width.

[joiedevie99]

You are doing well actually. Just soak the crap out of it with water or quik braid so you can get it smaller and tighter. I personally only use rubber bands on the forelock.

French braid the top, and then braid the rest down as far as you can. Then, fold any loose ends up against the back of the braid, and put another rubberband a few inches up the braid to secure those loose ends tight to the back of the braid.

Next, use your finger to wiggle a little hole at the base of the french braid part. Stuff the end of your braid up under the french braid part as far as it will go (probably an inch or two). This step helps deal with the length of the braid.

Then, take the current bottom of your braid, and fold it up to the base of the french braid. Repeat a second time, so your braid is folded over twice. Secure with at least two bands.