How to Do Button Braids on a Horse's Mane for Dressage

Dressage is a type of competitive horse training to test a horse's athletic ability and performance. The rider must dress in polished boots and an immaculate riding outfit. The horse must be tailored and brushed, and may have button braids in the mane. These braids are pulled tight against the neck of the horse and can be challenging to complete for someone less experienced.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Braiding elastics
  • Wax coated string
  • Large yarn needle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the mane to remove any tangles. Separate and hold a 3-inch section of the mane in one hand.

    • 2

      Divide the portion of hair into three sections. Hold the left and right sections between your fingers, leaving the middle section loose.

    • 3

      Grab the middle section, and pull it behind the right one. Move your fingers so the right section now becomes the middle. Pull the middle section behind the left one, once again changing the middle section to the left. Repeat the steps, making the braid more loose at the top and tight at the bottom. Wrap a piece of elastic at the bottom of the braid to hold it.

    • 4

      Wrap a piece of the string around the elastic three to four times, as if you were forming a knot. Cut off any remaining hair beneath the elastic band.

    • 5

      Thread the string through the yarn needle. Insert the tip through the top of the braid, forming a large loop with the braid.

    • 6

      Insert the needle back through the braid, sewing down toward the elastic at the bottom. Move the needle through the knot and back into the center of the now looped braid.

    • 7

      Roll the braid, so that it looks like a small rosebud. Insert the needle into the center of the rosebud, and pull tight. Repeat the steps two to three times, pulling tight each time. Cut off the excess string. Repeat the steps to form the other button braids.