Hey guys, I just wanted to start a discussion on braiding, because I don't already see one on here.

Now, I'm not very educated in all of this, but I know when I attend trillium hunter shows, all horses are braided. I'm unaware of the rules on it and everything, but, I just wanted to see everyone's opinion on 'if braiding is necessary'.
I mean, it can cost you up to 30.00$ at a show with a braider if you don't already braid, or haven't learned to braid, and if you do braid it is very time consuming for a thing that you will just rip out at the end of the day. As well, when it comes to that time after a show, you are usually very tired, and it is a stressful job when your horse is all antsy- when ripping the braids out. Occasionally, some people become lazy, and rip too much, or just do a bad job and rip out some of the horse's mane. Personally, I don't think braiding is very necessary and i'm leaning toward the au natural side, but also when someone see's braids they think competition; show. It's also very classy, and when you're showing in say a trillium circuit, it's by nature that you take care of braiding services, because by nature it's what you do at a show, like symbolizism or something.. but should it be this way?
I just wanted to see everyone's opinion on this, points and things. I'm not wishing to change anything, I just have never really talked to anyone about it because it's considered pretty normal to me, when you show in certain circuits.
Thanks guys! give me your opinions

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cross Rail X,

Horses don't have to be braided for Low hunter or the Eq on Trillium, but if you put in an equally good trip as a braided horse the judge will place the braided horse over you. It shows respect. I like the polished look, it matches our ridiculous ensemble, I also have to favour it as a braider

The jumper ring exists so we don't have to braid. This is something that won't ever change, hunters are set in their ways. Roached manes are acceptable if you are not a fan of the time and money involved in braiding and taking them out.

I will always braid! I event, and for the Oakhurst on Sunday I even kept him braided for Stadium and Cross Country. (We usually only keep them in for dressage)
It shows respect for the judges, and shows how serious you are in your turnout. It polishes you up and makes you look more important than an un-braided horse. < In the hunter ring.
And it's fun to do

BRAID.
Its classic, and classy. It shows respect for the judge and the performance you're giving them. It shows that you're serious about what you're doing. If you're too lazy to take the extra few minutes to take out braids at the end of the day, then what else is too much work? Wrapping? Hosing them off? I'm not trying to be snarky, but its part of a complete turnout 'packadge' when you're showing something like Trillium or "A" hunters.

I also think that "as much as" $30 is pretty fortunate. Most braiders who turn out decent manes charge $40 a mane, and $15/20 a tail.

If you don't want to braid (either pay someone or do it yourself) you don't have to show. Or you can show the jumpers.

ALWAYS BRAID! It's a part of showing...even a bad braid job is better then no braid job.

quote:

Originally posted by ponybreeder:
ALWAYS BRAID! It's a part of showing...even a bad braid job is better then no braid job.

Sad, but true. But people, please, pay someone to braid your horse if your skills won't have the braids survive the day! It's harder to say you're being respectful when the braids are a frizzy, loose, falling out mess.

Braiding is traditional - all the top hunters are always braided. They look beautiful, shows off their neck and head and perhaps, gives them an edge while traversing the hunter ring. I have a tough time braiding for a schooling show, because BIG mistakes can happen (that's what schooling shows are for) but I will braid my jumper for the championships

My horses don't leave the property unbraided. I braid for the jumpers as well (just not the forelock). It's classy and it's part of proper turnout. It IS a sign of respect not only for the judge but also for yourself and whatever barn you represent. If you braid enough, you will get better and faster. I have a preference to the European button braids and one mane will take me 20 minutes at the very most.

Haha yeah, no I will always braid, i've just heard people complain about it so I wondered what true horse people would think.

I just love the look of a well braided horse and they do stand out. It truely does show respect for the judge, yourself, your horse and the farm you represent. Wether it be schooling, trillium or A. I have always braided my own horse or had a braider braid if showing very early. That being said I HATE HATE HATE unbraiding, my least favourtie thing ever. Usually I can bribe someone into unbraiding, food is a good motivator.

If you do choose not to braid PLEASE pull your horses mane, nothing worse than a long mess of a mane.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rish,

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rish:
Usually I can bribe someone into unbraiding, food is a good motivator.
QUOTE]

Sorry that's far too funny and true!!!

When I first starting showing it was a rule our coach had that if you were going to show you were going to braid your own horse. Within no time I learned to do it myself and I saved a ton of money over the years, which was reinvested into my horse some other way no doubt.

If your going to a schooling show or a fun show then practise your braiding. Yes, it's painful and you'll be slow...but really it's not rocket science. That being said if you are going to a Trillium show or A show have someone else do it...just don't quit practising. Remember that the judge doesn't inspect your braids. I can get my horse braided in less than an hour.

Everytime I unbraid my horse I curse the stupid things...but at least I didn't have to pay for it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Big Mac,

I love braiding. Its time consuming but I actually enjoy it.

Unbraiding.. very different story. hate every second of it. But its worth it

Besides, if you use the waxed thread its very simple to have 'A' circuit quality braids.

quote:

Originally posted by RideEmTB:
Besides, if you use the waxed thread its very simple to have 'A' circuit quality braids.

I second the waxed thread....it's not cheep but do the braids even look good! AND it will never break when you tie knots!

I love the look of braids with the waxed thread, but they are even harder to get out!

I have always braided. Though not until a few years ago when ponybreeder taught me how to actually braid FORWARDS and with YARN (LMAO funny times) did I actually do it properly and not with plastic elestics. At first it took me around 4 hours (Yes, those nights where you would drag your butt out of the barn at midnight gotta love it!) but by the end of the summer I was down to 30-40min a mane with nice tight braids.

In hunters you want to show off their top line and if there is a mane in the way they can't really see and the braids just make everything look so much neater. Turnout is big in hunters.

I've always braided as well...of course I always bring extra braiding supplies, as sometimes the horse (or ME!) pull them out in the middle of the day! But they do look so good.

Of course, if you have a horse with a really long mane, and like it that way, you can always use a running braid. Very easy. Hairspray to keep it pretty.

Conversely, there's the continental braid, but I've only ever used this one for fun days or fun shows (and long mane helps).

What i don't know is is there a limit or amount of braids you need to have? i always have to braid around 20-25 braids for hunter on my mare.

i dont think theres a certain rule for how many, but if theres not that many and their big, it looks silly. plus i'm pretty sure theres always supposed to be an odd number of braids, not including the forlock.

As many braids as you want/as many as look good/as many as fit, there is no limit...

I would usually fit in around 35-40 depending on the day and how big they are. But I believe at some breed shows when they braid some horses have a white tie in the middle of the mane so I'm guessing that is the middle braid. Is that right? If so, is there a purpose for this? I've always been curious when I do see it.

(sorry if this isn't related to the original question)

as far as I know for the white string in the middle is that it is just a fad, or trademark of a particular braider.

I've seen hunters with one braid somewhere on the neck done in a different colour string, pink/green/blue ect.. I think its just something for fun.

I have also seen people place a sparkly bead or cystal on the outer string of one braid on the neck. Though that was a few years ago during the 'bling' craze.

I can't recall what site I read this on, but it says somewhere that there should be an even number of braids for a mare, odd number for gelding(or vice versa)

Who decides these things? I seriously doubt the judge is going to count your braids...

Oh it's just a superstition, or good luck thing, MissD

Oh, OK then. Thanks, Manz!

tyou should either learn to braid or get someone who knows how to at your barn to do it or hire a braider,there are some people who would braid for little money(like me)but dont have as high quality braids, but the judge dosent care as long as they are not completely messed up and they are braided in the proper manner the reason you braid in trillium shows is because when they used to hunt on horseback the thoroughbreds(dont think i spelled that right) would be braided as a sign of quality and the other horses werent braided so since hunter takes after the hunt back in the old days , like we still wear the old fashioned jackets and stuff they decided that all the horses should be braided in trillium shows.

quote:

Originally posted by Vanessa and Picasso:
tyou should either learn to braid or get someone who knows how to at your barn to do it or hire a braider,there are some people who would braid for little money(like me)but dont have as high quality braids, but the judge dosent care as long as they are not completely messed up and they are braided in the proper manner

Everyone has a different view on 'high quality' and 'completely messed up'. You may want to elaberate on that. Messed up can be considered loose braids, different spacings, too big, too long etc. The judge/other people do take notice though if they are loose and falling out and or have different spacing etc. You rather go with 'high quality' than something that just does the job just so you can say you braided. Shows that you care.

good point TrueSportAthlete, i know what you mean, my braids for instance are just sometimes a bit crooked but not too much
they are getting better though
but considering the fact that this is my first year braiding and that im 11 they are pretty good i even braided one of the barns horses once
and that show he did really well
and me and me and my horse have been doing well since the beginning of show season so i guess they were good enough in the judge's perspective

It has to be a pretty big day for me to braid
But then I really like my sleep

This message has been edited. Last edited by: verve,

hey what do you guys think about tails?
like for trillium, is it proper to have it done? sometimes? always? worth the money for something extra?

I don't get my horse's tail done for trillium, i don't know how to do it, haha, it looks complicated, maybe i'm wrong! :P I get it done at championships though. It's different. But what about a regular trillium show? yes?
thanks for the opinions!

Depends on the tail. I would say my horse has a nice full tail, I do not braid it for trillium shows, but I did for the championships. If your horse has a scraggly tail and you don't want to use a fake I suggest not braiding it. Some horses have fake tails and I believe the fakes stay in much better when braided. And on top of that some horses hate having their tails braided and the swing them around or ring/twist their tail/dock, this does not look too pretty.

Agree with Rish. I don't braid tails unless it's a big show. Regular Trilliums I don't. Fake tails are nice if you have a horse with a thin tail but some can be A LOT of money and some tail colours are very hard to match. I know the owner of a grey I was riding a few months back and it was very hard to get someone to match the colour of his tail. Most were around 200-250 to get one.

BRAID!

It looks much more professional and more polished, and the wax thread is the best!