How to Make a Button Braid for Horses

Button braids are used in many English-riding disciplines including jumpers, equitation, eventing and dressage. They are not used in the hunter ring where the horse's manes are done in hunter-style plaits instead. Button braids are simple and quick to do, but you need to begin with an evenly pulled, clean but not conditioned mane in order to get the best results. This type of braid shows off the horse's crest and gives it a scalloped, decorative appearance.

Things You'll Need

  • Yarn
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Mane comb
  • Hair clip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut yarn into pieces that are each about 2 feet long. The color of the yarn should match the horse's mane so it doesn't stand out. Cut enough pieces so you have one piece per braid. A typical horse will have anywhere from eight to 15 button braids in its mane when finished. The final count will be determined by the length of the neck, the thickness of the mane and how much hair is used in each braid.

    • 2

      Separate out a 3-inch section of mane at the top of the neck, next to the bridle path. Use the hair clip to hold the loose mane next to the section and prevent it from interfering with your braid.

    • 3

      Divide the section of mane into three equal parts and begin to braid it down. Leave the braid slightly looser at the top and tighten as you go. This will help enhance the scalloped look of the braid. Half-way down the braid, fold a piece of yarn so that one end is 1 1/2-inches long and incorporate both ends into a portion of the braid.

    • 4

      Continue the braid as far as possible. At the end, grab the remaining end of yarn and flip loosely over the braid. Bring the tail under and through the loop created by the yarn and pull to tighten into a knot. Loop it over and through again for additional security. Continue sectioning off and braiding the mane down the neck to the withers.

    • 5

      Starting with the first section of hair braided down, thread the hanging length of yarn into a yarn needle. Use a very dull needle to avoid injuring the horse. Hold the thread in the needle by doubling it over once it has passed through the eye. Push the needle through the base of the braid from underneath, along the horse's crest. Pull it through until the braid is loosely doubled underneath itself. Take the needle and thread the yarn back down into the braid, about a finger's width from the top and pull until it snugs up.

    • 6

      Secure the braid by crisscrossing the needle and yarn diagonally through the braid two times, starting from the top side of the braid. This will hold the braid tight without having to tie any additional knots in the yarn. Tie up and secure the remaining braided sections the same way. Cut the remaining tails of yarn with scissors so they are not visible.