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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

The Braid Worked!

12/19/2016

 
Last week, I shared a video with a braiding technique for long manes. To my surprise, it worked pretty well. Let's be honest; nothing is ever going to look as nice as braids sewn in by someone with some skill. I hate to sew, and I am sorely lacking in the "skillz" department. Girlfriend ain't got none. I may be short on skills (and patience and actually caring), but what I do have is a very patient pony who has perfectly long mane.
Picture
Not bad for not following the directions!
If you want to try this at home, you should probably watch the video and actually follow the advice given. Even though I didn't, it still turned out pretty well, which tells me it's a pretty idiot proof braid.

1. I did not wet the mane. I simply combed it free of tangles.
2. I made no effort to be neat or tidy.
3. I combined the tail of each looped braid with one of the three sections needed for the next braid rather than using it alone for a section.
4. I played around with how far down to braid.
5. I played around with how big of a chunk to braid.
6. My last braid was a disaster. A new ending strategy must be employed before using these braids for show.
Picture
Much better than the running French braid.
What I discovered was that this braiding technique is better the longer the mane is. I also think it would look better with a thick mane. Speedy's mane is fairly long, but of only medium thickness. Even so, it worked quite well.

With thinner manes, braid less than the finger length shown on the video. If the braided part is too long, the rubber band shows when you loop the braid though. You will have to adjust the length of the braided part depending on the thickness of the braid. Thick, fat braids will need to be longer while thin, small braids will need to be shorter.
Picture
I love the variated colors this braid created.
Everything about this braid was very straightforward to do, except that very last part. I was surprised at how easy it was to twist the unbraided part and slide it through the base of the loop. It didn't seem to matter if I got it through the center or not. I also discovered that you can make the braid taller and poofier by not pulling the braided end through as far. Conversely, pulling the braid through tightly will make smaller, tighter braids.
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Um. No. Just no.
The true test for me was how long it would actually stay braided without the regular droop I get with the French braid. To put it to the test, I braided Speedy's mane and then groomed Izzy. I saddled Izzy and then took both horses to the arena. I rode Izzy for 40 minutes while Speedy stood tied at the fence. I untacked the big brown horses, put him away, and then saddled Speedy. I schooled him for the better part of 30 minutes and then checked the braid.
Picture
It's still in!
Considering that I made no effort to get it neat or tight, it looked pretty good after nearly two hours. The French braid never lasts that long. I need a bit more practice and some fine tuning, but this is going to be my new braid for shows. 
Picture
As long as there is candy involved, Speedy approves.
Did anyone else try it?
Jan link
12/19/2016 05:07:24 am

I'm going to try it on one of the vaulting horses at the barn! The owner is excited about it- they always do a running braid and it doesn't stay in well. So, blind leading the blind in teaching them to be able to do it?

But I'll work out a different way to do the last one too- I know I won't be able to do what they did in the video!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/19/2016 12:20:35 pm

Since you have braiding skills, your attempt will probably look fabulous!!!

Tracy link
12/19/2016 05:34:00 am

Very cool! Speedy is so handsome <3

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/19/2016 12:21:16 pm

It is a cool braid. And thanks. He's a dork, but he can clean up when wants to. :0)

lytha
12/19/2016 08:29:26 am

That is so much superior to the awful French braid that lasts about 5 minutes... I know this exactly how you know this.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/19/2016 12:21:50 pm

I don't know how some people can get the thing to stay in ... I can't!

Dom
12/19/2016 08:31:54 am

I am thrilled you tried this! I've been wanting to do it myself, and have several good candidates to try it on, but the weather has been atrocious since I saw the video. Now I'm even more excited to try. These came out great! That gives me hope since I'm likely to disregard half the directions as well.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/19/2016 12:22:34 pm

With even slightly more effort, I know the braids will look sharper and neater. It really did work!

jenj
12/19/2016 10:24:26 am

I saw this last week and I really REALLY hope it works for my guys, because I hate pulling manes and all the fuss that entails. Looks great on Speedy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/19/2016 12:23:26 pm

I think it will look better with thick, bushy manes. I can't wait to hear how it works for your guys!

Calm, Forward, Straight link
12/19/2016 12:47:57 pm

Nice!! Looks like there is enough give / slack for Speedy to lengthen his neck comfortably. Wish I'd had this a couple of weeks ago. I braided for our xmas pics and it was less than stellar lol. Thanks for the tip :D

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/23/2016 07:09:52 am

Yes, he can stretch. While it doesn't seem to bother him with the French braid, it's when he stretches his neck that the braid loosens. I've tried to braid with a stretched down neck, but then when he raises his neck, the braid is all wrinkled!

Hillary link
12/21/2016 10:56:36 pm

That is a cool technique! Turned out nicely!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/23/2016 07:10:36 am

After some practice, I might be able to get it looking like a regular braid! I love it when I find something that works that is also easy!


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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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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
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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