August 29, 2025: Braids, Buns, and Beautiful Manes
We have not braided Bee’s hair yet. We are waiting for long, luxurious strands worthy of a photo shoot. In the meantime, I have been brushing up on the why and how of braiding so when Bee’s mane is ready, we will be too.
A little history
Braiding has practical roots. Early horsemen tied or braided manes to keep hair out of tack, hands, and weapons. As sport and breed shows grew, braiding became part of polished turnout. Draft hitches still ribbon manes and tails in bright colors, hunters favor neat rows that flatter the neck, and dressage riders use tidy buns that highlight a steady topline. Western breeds developed their own look, from flat banding to long, flowing hair that celebrates natural movement.
Who braids and who does not
Hunters and hunter seat equitation. Small, tight hunter braids along the crest, with a braided or looped tail. Clean, classic, and uniform.
Jumpers. Often braided for big classes or formal days, but not mandatory. Button braids are common when they do.
Dressage. Button braids or rosettes that sit like little buns. The number is often odd and scaled to the neck. Tails are usually banged and sometimes lightly braided at the top.
Eventing. Dressage phase is braided. Cross country and stadium are often unbraided for practicality, though some riders keep a running braid.
Western. Quarter Horses and Paints in rail classes may show banded manes that lie flat. Many ranch, reining, and rodeo horses go natural or use a simple running braid to manage length. Arabians show long, silky manes in many classes and may use a delicate running braid for control. Morgans and Saddlebreds have discipline specific traditions, with some classes accenting forelocks and set tails.
Drafts and driving. Ribbons and flowers are part of the pageantry, with a docked and rolled tail on some breeds.
Styles you will see
Hunter braids. Dozens of small, even braids tied with yarn and folded tight. They visually lengthen the neck and look sharp under a hunter bridle.
Button braids. Wider sections rolled into buns with thread or bands. Great for dressage and jumpers because they read clean from a distance.
Running braid. A French braid along the crest that gathers hair as you go. Perfect for thick or long manes, trail rides, and windy days.
Continental or scallop braids. Decorative patterns for exhibitions or photos that use bands and lattice sections.
Forelock and tail. A small forelock braid keeps hair out of the eyes, and tails can be French braided at the top with the skirt left free, or banged and ribboned for hunters.
Hunter Braids (flat, many small braids)
Button braids (round “buttons,” fewer and larger) -
Dark Brown Dressage Horse.
Photo credit: Jean. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Running braid (French braid along the crest) -
Horse ready for dressage.
Photo credit: Tiago C. Lima. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Continental / lattice / diamond pattern (decorative netting) -
Chevaux de trait, exposition à Mirabel en Ardèche (diamond braids on a draft).
Photo credit: Chevaux de trait, Mirabel en Ardèche by Celeda. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Forelock braid (formal in-hand or dressage turnout) -
Cadre noir — bride de gala (formal gala turnout with braided mane and forelock typical of this style).
Photo credit: Forelock plait
Tail French braid (hunter-style)
Photo credit: Jean. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Prep and tools
Clean hair has grip if you avoid heavy silicones on braid day. Gather a pulling comb or thinning knife if you shape the mane, a wide tooth comb, yarn or waxed thread, small rubber bands, a latch hook, a seam ripper for removal, and a step stool. Practice sections that match in width so the finished line looks even. A lycra hood keeps everything tidy overnight.
Healthy hair habits
Feed first. Good forage and balanced minerals show up in hair quality.
Gentle detangling. Start at the ends, work up, and do not yank. A little conditioner on the tail helps.
Mind the sun and dirt. Rinse sweat, keep tails off muddy ground, and shelter from harsh sun to reduce bleaching and breakage.
Easy on the elastics. Remove bands the same day or within twenty four to forty eight hours. Cutting, not pulling, saves strands.
Do not over tighten. A sore crest or broken hairs mean the braid is too tight. Neck comfort matters as much as neatness.
Practice plan for Bee
I had a lot of practice taming long hair while raising three girls who always had long hair. Then I decided to grow my hair out but have never mastered braiding my own head other than a side braid for under a hat. When her mane thickens, we will test out some styles, maybe hunter braids for photos. Bee, consider this your notice.