[QUOTE=right horse at the right time;8589939]
I agree about the longer mane. But I don’t ever thin manes. They stand easier also if not pulled.[/QUOTE]
I think it depends how thick they are. Uber thick manes are impossible to work with and keep flat. Otherwise, I agree that pulling is not always necessary.
BTW, why would anyone still use a needle to pull through and tie off? I love rug hooks!
Hmm. I have never thought of using a rug hook. I will have to investigate.
(Though I must admit that last year, because I wanted to take them out each night at multiday shows, instead of sewing them in, I did button braids with rubber bands and they looked perfectly acceptable…)
It is a bit more work (actually twice as much work), but I have seen EXCELLENT results with very think manes by doing two sets of braids, one on each side of the neck. First you have to put the mane into un-braided bundles with rubber bands. For each braid, you part the mane in half down the middle, with one half on each side of the neck, and then put rubber bands (like two loose pony-tails) to keep the main parted and one rubber band where each braid will be. Once the mane is all in braid-sized pony-tails, then you go back, take the rubber band off (one at a time) and braid each one like a regular dressage button braid.
Yep, that’s a LOT of work. Um, say double? :lol:
A rug hook has saved me so much time and so many headaches! Sewing, for me, is only if you have to truly sew something. If you’re pulling the braiding thread through and then running it around and tying it off, the rug hook is a LOT easier and cleaner. It just slides through from the top to back of the braid, then you put the thread in the loop and pull it back out. It takes the threads all the way back out for you and closes the loop as it goes back through the hairs. 
[QUOTE=Velvet;8591041]
BTW, why would anyone still use a needle to pull through and tie off? I love rug hooks![/QUOTE]
For the way I do braids, wrapping around isn’t sufficient to hold it.
My mare’s mane is thick, but not double mane thick - I would thin and deal with less than ideal braids for a double mane, probably. You can see where I sewed in because my yarn is too light:
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12540911_10100643475207326_3847469241112698701_n.jpg?oh=ca381870edbc4db28858c0e8088bd86f&oe=57812797
My mare’s mane is kind of thick and stiff as well, and I’ve been trying to decide the best way to braid it. Just came across this video, using bobby pins and think I’ll try it out this weekend:
https://youtu.be/yTNdWhgdIIY
I think for a nicer show I might sew the braids in and then take the bobby pins out, but that would definitely help hold them in place so they can be sewn when the braid does not want to comply and stay neatly rolled.
