Need braiding ideas for draft cross- UPDATE POST 17

[VTHokie]

Planning on going to an open show at the end of the month and my draft cross has a terribly thick mane that is also getting beyond normal braiding length. I can thin it out a bit but it will still be quite thick. I don't really want to pull it short with the winter coming. I like the idea of a long mane over the winter since I won't be showing hunters with her.

I will be riding her in dressage suitability classes, and field hunter classes. Any pictures and instructions of ways to braid a medium length mane that is really thick? I've seen some unusual styles. At this show alot of people braid so I don't want to go unbraided. My plan is to practice some braiding techniques in the next couple weeks and if it doesn't work out then I'll probably *gasp* roach her mane.

[jumpingpercheron]

Here's my vote!
http://www.exhibitorlabs.com/article_02c.cfm

[IsolaBella09]

Here's my vote!
http://www.exhibitorlabs.com/article_02c.cfm

I second this. I does look nice when it comes out very polished and tidy.:yes:

[chai]

I agree. This is an easy braid. I used it on our pony during the hot weather to keep her mane off her neck. It is a very pretty braid when it's done.

[ptownevt]

Thanks for the link. My daughter has been trying to use the french braid on her POA, but it always falls out when he shakes his head. This usually happens when she's waiting in line to go in for fitting and showmanship. I think the issue is that we've been braiding it too loose. I thought we had to give more slack to allow for movement without pulling the braid out. We'll try it according to these directions and see if it stays in.
Pam

[saultgirl]

I would pull it and braid it. But I like short, neat manes, all year 'round.

[andy825]

You could split it down the middle and do a set of braids on each side of her neck...

[PalominoMorgan]

I have done a modified button braid on my THICK-maned morgan mare. Her mane was 8-10" long. I use wax thread and sew the braids in. I roll the braids an extra time. They stay in a LONG time and look good. I used Robbie's tutorial and added an extra fold to get all the braid in there.

[ddashaq]

One of my good friends had a arab cross with an insanely thick mane. She used to roach half of it down the length of his neck and then braid the rest like normal. It looked really nice and you could not even tell that she had shaved it unless you really looked.

[VTHokie]

Her mane naturally falls on both sides. So if I do the french braid, I'll try it on both sides.

I've only done the regular hunter braids and that was back in the '80s. :eek: So I'm kind of intimidated by her mane. I've cringed at some of the really bad braid jobs I've seen at these open shows and if I end up being one of them then I'm better off roaching it.

PalominoMorgan - How do you do these modified button braids?

Any pictures?

[Guin]

That french braid is really pretty. Be sure to post a photo of the Ginger beastie with her fancy mane if you manage it! :D

[PalominoMorgan]

Here they are done. http://i35.tinypic.com/o5av45.jpg Will post more when kiddo goes to bed.

[Cielo Azure]

I don't like French braids because they come out too fast and then look very messy, even if plastered with hair spray. Here is an alternative.

I do like to do a draft horse mane roll, with fabric that is the same color as the mane and I use all of the mane (instead of leaving some hanging, as it traditional). I do it just like a french braid. The effect is the same but it doesn't come out. I like to use a thin cord for this (the type you use for curtain ties work well), that way it isn't too bulky. Since you are using all of the hair (unlike the video), you can also do this a few inches down from the crest. some people use a piece of terry cloth (2" x 7') also, as it has some stretch. It is a little complicated to learn, but the results look fantastic and the continous fabric roll or cord keeps it from coming out.
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=grPxGBxSlBk

[Nski32]

be careful with the french braid, as another poster said--they have a large chance of falling out!

Here is a few pictures of a Draft-X that I ride. Her mane is short and thick in areas. I just do hunter braids. They are thicker than normal but still look presentable.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2070449670100474800sEvtHE
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2717887720100474800bHaXej
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2504159010100474800xFzNXQ

Good Luck:yes:

[PalominoMorgan]

I learned from Robbie's braiding clinic http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=35573&highlight=button+braid

How I made this work for a longer mane was braid it down, put in the half stitch at the bottom to hold the braid then I add one step. I now fold the braid under so that the end is in the middle (you basically divided it in to thirds) and do a half stitch to hold the fold. You'll now have a single layer of braid coming off the crest and a loop of braid at the bottom. I now take the needle and thread (thread is on top of the braid at the 1/2 way mark) and push it through the bottom of the braid (through the bottom of the loop) going from top to under side. Now take the needle up through the crest. I go off to the right and through the bottom of the braid and pull up thru the crest again. Off to the left and through the bottom of the button and back uo thru the crest. I then do a couple half stitches and cut the extra thread off. It is a lot of folds but you pull tight and they don't move. I have had them stay in for 3 days!!!

That should be clear as mud. LOL.

[VTHokie]

Thank you! That should give me plenty to practice.:yes:

[VTHokie]

For those that wanted to see what we ended up with here's a link to a picture from the show. I ended up braiding on the last day of the show since it was "championship" day. I just used white rubber bands and did big hunter type braids. These are from the "dressage suitability" classes:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=07JE004H1H0039&po=39

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=07JE004H1H0097&po=97

[ddashaq]

I just wanted to say your mare is gorgeous! (And the braids look lovely.);)

[kahjul]

I braid my draft X on both sides. I do the button braids and it looks great. Her crest is almost 3" thick so it's alot of hair, the only warning is to make sure you get it parted down the center. If you're off center they look ridiculous.