Your secret for a secure running/french braid?

[emipou]

@lorilu

I have tried everything. Take from the top, from the bottom, from both. Fat or thin sections. “the secret is in your thumb” holding it tight. Tightening every strand every time. I DO tie him up during and after so no lowering of his head.

It ALWAYS comes loose in the same place - where it is thickest in the middle of his neck.

What is YOUR secret? Honestly I am going to try sewing it in with a running blanket stitch after its all done… ??

The trick is to use EVEN chunks. You want not too big, or too small - if too small, you will have lumps, if too big you will have gaps.

Thin the mane where it is uneven. Make sure it’s all one thickness and length (no big gaps in the middle). Clean, but not too conditioned. It’s easier to start with a slightly damp mane, but not too wet. Spray some quikbraid or hair spray along the crest before you really begin, Brush, then go.

I’m 6’ and always still require a step ladder to stand on to make absolutely sure that I am right on the crest. My thumbs sit as close to the skin as possible.

It takes a TON of practice. This past year I have gotten so good at it just through constant practice.

If you have problems with the mane not being long enough or holding, run yarn into the braid. You could even run a thread, cut and tie 1/3 down, add another yarn in, cut and tie 2/3 down, etc. You can also tie yarn in after you are done in areas that tend to loosen.

Honestly though - it takes technique, which takes practice, which takes messing it up a few times.

Attaching one of the braids that I did for a clinic last October. Loved how it turned out.
https://imgur.com/a/6Gt2BiN

[emipou]

@beowulf

I’ve only ever thought of running braids as temporary - long enough to showcase a horse while riding, or at a show. (~1 hr or so) I don’t think they naturally stay in as long as regular braids.

There is a different technique altogether to get a good running braid to stay in for up to a week (or longer, but I prefer to flip the mane and change weekly).

https://imgur.com/a/lOxrCSK

Mane should have some sort of leave-in conditioner/hydrater to help prevent breakage. With a maintenance braid, start tighter to the crest near the top, then as you work down gradually give more space from the crest so that the horse has enough looseness for stretching its neck.

Keep each strand even thickness - it’s all about evenness.

When you get to your last strand before switching to a normal braid, make that your thickest strand - it will need the most strength from horse movement, if you make it too thin you risk tearing the main.

Anything not long enough to really hold into place, I either leave out or put in a second baby braid at the bottom (to protect from the saddle and saddle pad).

[jawa]

What about a french braid rather than a running braid? Running only pulls new hair every other plait, a french braid pulls hair every plait. The running braid is looser and comes away from the base of the mane. The french braid is tighter and stays closer to the base of the mane.

[equinelibrium]

Full disclosure, I’ve never had to manage a long mane, but it seems like inconsistent thickness is a large issue for running braids. I know it messes up the look of my horse’s regular braids. This tool has been great for thinning my horse’s mane without losing any length - might be worth a try! https://smartgrooming.co.uk/trimming-tidying/smart-tails-yellow-handle-range

[2DogsFarm]

For my mini with the trolldoll mane, I use a gel holding product & run a wet comb through the mane.
I take from the top, pulling snug as I go.
Braid stays in for several (driven) classes before I need to tighten or redo.

[lorilu]

@emipou

The trick is to use EVEN chunks. You want not too big, or too small - if too small, you will have lumps, if too big you will have gaps.

Thin the mane where it is uneven. Make sure it’s all one thickness and length (no big gaps in the middle). Clean, but not too conditioned. It’s easier to start with a slightly damp mane, but not too wet. Spray some quikbraid or hair spray along the crest before you really begin, Brush, then go.

I’m 6’ and always still require a step ladder to stand on to make absolutely sure that I am right on the crest. My thumbs sit as close to the skin as possible.

It takes a TON of practice. This past year I have gotten so good at it just through constant practice.

If you have problems with the mane not being long enough or holding, run yarn into the braid. You could even run a thread, cut and tie 1/3 down, add another yarn in, cut and tie 2/3 down, etc. You can also tie yarn in after you are done in areas that tend to loosen.

Honestly though - it takes technique, which takes practice, which takes messing it up a few times.

Attaching one of the braids that I did for a clinic last October. Loved how it turned out.
https://imgur.com/a/6Gt2BiN

that is one gorgeous braid! By “even”, do you mean in thickness or how many inches of the mane (crest) is taken? If thickness of the section I would have thin the braid where it is thick in the middle of his neck To get even sections, at the top it would be a wide section, in the middle a very narrow section…
I’ll have to try the setting gel. It’s been a few years since Ive done that.
\And yes I am on a stepstool, right up to the crest, my body over the neck…

I’m going to try the yarn…

[lorilu]

@jawa

What about a french braid rather than a running braid? Running only pulls new hair every other plait, a french braid pulls hair every plait. The running braid is looser and comes away from the base of the mane. The french braid is tighter and stays closer to the base of the mane.

I never knew the difference, thanks. I pull hair into every braid, and I have tried pulling into the top section, the bottom section, and both sections… I like the french braid better on my guy.

[jawa]

@lorilu

I never knew the difference, thanks. I pull hair into every braid, and I have tried pulling into the top section, the bottom section, and both sections… I like the french braid better on my guy.

I can’t find the video, but their was a lady that was doing a french braid and every few plaits she would either tie it with string or use braiding bands. This held the sections together so that the horse stretching it’s neck didn’t pull the braids loose.

I’ll try to find it again.

[emipou]

@lorilu

that is one gorgeous braid! By “even”, do you mean in thickness or how many inches of the mane (crest) is taken? If thickness of the section I would have thin the braid where it is thick in the middle of his neck To get even sections, at the top it would be a wide section, in the middle a very narrow section…
I’ll have to try the setting gel. It’s been a few years since Ive done that.
\And yes I am on a stepstool, right up to the crest, my body over the neck…

I’m going to try the yarn…

thank you <3

Ideally it would be good for the mane to have a fairly even thickness. If you’re able to thin the mane in the middle that would be ideal.

More so the inches of mane than the thickness of hairs. Uneven distance, like too short of a distance, will make it lumpy. Too long of a distance will create gaps and the kind of tightness that will lead to breakage. You can work in unevenness of the thickness though.

I’m trying to imagine how wide my strands go… Maybe about an inch. I’ll pay more attention the next time I braid my boy.

[jawa]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgNcbJ-pNI&t=71s

Here’s another option.