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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Braiding for Dummies

4/6/2016

 
A few weeks ago, Poor Woman Showing wrote about Braideez braiding wires and then offered to give away a set. I never ever ever win anything, but I entered my name anyway because I really like Carly's blog, and I wanted her to know I had read her post.

Immediately after entering her giveaway, I turned around and ordered myself a set of braiding wires - she made them sound that good. I've shared many times that I am not a lover of grooming and such. I happen to have the two cleanest, shiniest horses on the planet despite my ineptitude and lack of hair care products.

But you know what a sense of humor Fate has - try sending in a show entry early ... HAHAHAH - you're screwed! Pay a late fee and you'll probably win the class. Fate had a good laugh at my literal expense: less than twelve hours after ordering my very own set of Braideez braiding wires, Carly sent me this message:
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Very funny, Fate!
So first, many thanks to Carly for the braiding wires. At first, I almost told her to pass them on to another reader, but I am greedy, and I know how hard on stuff Izzy is, so I sent her my address. Before I share my experience with the braiding wires, I have to show the amazing artwork that seems to accompany each shipment. I am keeping these envelopes and getting them framed. It might be worth the order just for the sketches! The one on the right even looks like Izzy.
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These are HAND drawn!
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You have to sort of squint!
The packaging is really awesome. Not many companies go to so much trouble to encourage you to like their product before you even see it.
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The wires are arranged to be the horse's tail - how cute is that?
While the braiding wires are easy to use, especially if you already know how to do button braids, I would still recommend looking at the directions that come in the package (they're made up of a pictorial on the back of the horse) and watching their video.
I followed the directions exactly, and the whole thing took me 40 minutes, including stopping and starting to go get something and cutting the wires to length. I did twelve braids. With practice, I could probably shave off 10 minutes.

I started off by braiding each of the sections and tying them off with a half hitch knot. The wire is coated with a thin plastic and tied without any trouble. To braid the wire in, I folded it in half and put one end in each hand as I grabbed the three strands of hair. The wire stayed put as I braided. After each braid was finished, I gave the wire a tug and straightened out the braids so that they hung straight down.
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Wire instead of string.
Then I went back and pulled each strand of wire through the base of teh braid as shown in the directions. I think that pulling the wires through really straight will give a smoother button. I kind of struggled with this part, but again, with practice, I think it will get easier. Once I pulled the wires through and brought them underneath and twisted them, I gave the braid a good "squish" and shaped it into a button.
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Sorry for the blur ... I took like 50 photos and none of them were good.
After I had them in a shape that I more or less liked, I cut off the extra wire, but since I have a completely brand new EXTRA set waiting in the wings, I am not too worried if I cut them too short. Here's what the finished braids look like - from a distance ...
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Not too shabby.
The true dressage queens out there are probably wrinkling their noses at the idea of using wires, but I simply don't care. I am not good at braiding. With the wires, it almost looks like I know what I am doing. I am sold!

​Oh ... one last thing, I did leave them in over-night to see if that was an option for showing. You can see the results for yourself.
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Ummm ... I am thinking no.
Clearly this is not going to work. Some of the wires were just gone - good thing I have more, and in other places, his mane was gone. Literally. It looked like someone had cut the braid off with scissors. Even with them looking like this, the wires were still super easy to take out. I just untwisted and pulled.

Overall? These are a no brainer, especially for the price and the artwork!
appydoesdressage
4/6/2016 07:40:23 am

Okay, so you got me. I entered Carly's contest too, I think I am going to just go ahead and order some of these. I could use all the help I can get!

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/6/2016 05:00:31 pm

They were cheap enough that I felt the risk of not liking them was worth it.

appydoesdressage
4/7/2016 11:47:47 am

Well, I did it. I bought a set. Let's see how they work out!

SprinklerBandit
4/6/2016 08:06:29 am

I am definitely not the world's best braider and these are very interesting. I may have to snag a set.

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/6/2016 05:01:28 pm

As an idiot braider, they're AWESOME. If you have any skill, you might find them disappointing. :0)

SarahO link
4/6/2016 09:13:33 am

Thanks for the review! My braids certainly need help so I may have to try these!

(I just looked and it's actually almost half the price for me to get them from the UK instead of the US, shipping costs are ridiculous sometimes lol)

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/6/2016 05:02:20 pm

Shipping is definitely a PITA. Can someone here ship them to you cheaper?

Karen
4/6/2016 09:28:36 am

I'm not going to lie, these look WAY harder than doing sewn in Dutch style braids. They take me 30 minutes, and accentuate the neck. Plus, as an added bonus, I never have to pull the mane again. Just give it a trim once in a while. The thicker and longer, the better!

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/6/2016 05:04:32 pm

I can't see how sewing could possibly be easier ... I've tried. Can you send me a link to a video tutorial that shows how to do it easier than this? Getting the shape right is the hard part for me, so the wires make it easy (ish).

Karen
4/6/2016 09:55:53 pm

I'll try to find a demo video, but I kind of just taught myself. If I can't find one, I'll film myself. Super easy and fast!

Carly
4/6/2016 10:01:47 am

Oh my gosh, he really killed those overnight, didn't he? I wonder if I'm able to get them tighter because Bobby's mane is so much thinner and they stay in better for longer. Or maybe just because Izzy is kind of the master of destruction? ;) So happy you like them! You can never have too many!

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/6/2016 05:07:35 pm

I think Izzy is a master of destruction. I wasn't surprised as that's how he approaches life - search and destroy.

Thank you for the initial post and the subsequent freebies. I love it when small business have innovative products that actually work. Giving them some good word of mouth also makes me feel like I am doing my part. :0)

Teresa
4/7/2016 02:11:06 am

Interesting! I wonder if they could work with a French braid?

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/8/2016 12:40:32 pm

I don't know, but I am going to give them a try!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home