A Step-by-Step Guide to Button Braids

Horse with neatly braided mane

For hunter/jumper competitors, the hallmark to their horse show turnout is a set of impeccable braids which work their way done their horse’s neck. The tight, yet delicate button braids showcase your horse’s conformation while not impeding with their performance. In these modern times, button braids are firmly rooted in tradition. However, the origins of these braids actually come from the British fox hunting fields, where the braids kept the horses’ manes free from being caught in branches, twigs, and brambles.

In the blog post, we explore the ins and outs of button braiding your horse’s mane, and we discuss the tools and materials that you will need. The next time you trot into the ring for your flat class or pick up your canter for your courtesy circle, you can be confident with your picture-perfect turnout.

The Necessary Supplies

Before you begin braiding your horse’s mane, it is important to make sure that you have the proper tools and materials close at hand. To put button braids in your horse’s mane, you will need:

Black horse with mane braided in rainbow colored yarn
Have some fun and make a statement by braiding with a yarn that contrasts with the color of your horse’s mane (Photo; Q2 Photography)

Traditionally, horses are braided with yarn that matches the color of the horse’s mane. However, at breed shows, sometimes contrasting colors are seen, such as white yarn in a black mane. Additionally, sometimes color can be used discreetly in order to amplify your horse’s turnout, for instance, navy blue in a dark mane.

Braiding Your Horse’s Mane

To begin braiding your horse’s mane, make sure that you and your horse are in a peaceful location with minimal distractions. In a quiet barn, this may be in the aisle on the cross ties; or at a busy barn or a horse show, this may be in a dedicated grooming stall or tied in your horse’s stall.

Horse with braided mane
  • Start by preparing your horse’s mane; time spent in this step will make the braiding process much easier and will make for a neater, more uniform braid job. Shorten and thin the mane, preferably by pulling it, to a length of 3.5 to 4 inches in length so it lies flat against the left side of the neck. Then, wash the mane to ensure that the crest and mane are clean and free of dandruff (conditioner will make it more difficult to grip, so we advise skipping the conditioner). Finally, brush out the mane to remove all of the knots and tangles.
  • Use your sponge and bucket to dampen the mane.
  • Use your pulling comb to section off the piece of mane directly behind the bridle path. It will be about 1 inch across the crest of the neck. This will be your first braid. Use the pulling comb to hold the extra mane away from the piece that you are working with. Spray the section with your mane spray to prevent flyaways and give you additional grip.
  • Divide the piece into three sections, keeping the braid tight against the neck. Use your thumb over the cross of the braid to maintain tension and prevent the braid from loosening.
  • When you are approximately halfway down the length of the mane you are working with, it is time to incorporate the yarn. Fold the yarn in half and lay it over the outermost sections of the braid, using your thumb to hold the middle in the cross of the braid. 
  • Continue braiding to the bottom of the hair, with the yarn weaving into the sections of mane.
  • When you reach the bottom of the hair, separate the strands of yarn from the mane. Loop the yarn under the braid and then back through itself to fasten the braid (you may want to do this twice for additional security.
  • Continue working your way down the neck, sectioning off equal pieces of hair each time. 
  • After you have braided down the length of the neck, step off the stool and look at the knots on the bottom of each braid. They should all lie in a straight line (this will give the braids a clean line along the crest).
  • To pull up your braids, slide your pull through over the top of the neck and through the base of the braid. Then pull the two strands together upward and through the top of the braid.
  • Pull up all the braids, working your way down the neck.
  • Starting at the poll, it is time to knot and secure the braids. Pull the ends of the yarn firmly until you feel a slight “pop” when the knot slips into the crest of the neck. 
  • Separate the strands of yarn, bringing one on each side of the braid. 
  • Knot underneath the braid using a surgical knot, pulling the yarn firmly to seat the yarn.
  • Use your thumbs to flatten the braid, pushing up to create a bump or “button” on the top of the braid. Hold the braid flat with your thumbs as you put a surgical knot about ⅓ of the way down the braid.
  • Put two more surgical knots on the bottom of the braid to secure fasten the braids and prevent your hands from rubbing them out when riding (especially when releasing over fences).
  • Work your way down the braids, fastening them all in this manner. Work to keep the bumps uniformly placed with a neat line along the bottom of the braids.
  • Use your scissors to clip the yarn alongside each side of the braids.

For additional hints on braiding hunter braids, we encourage you to watch this how-to braiding tutorial video:

Flawless hunter braids may seem intimidating, but, with a bit of practice and patience, you will quickly discover the keys to success. If you have any questions regarding the braiding process or would like personalized product recommendations as you building your braiding kit, we encourage you to speak with a member of our friendly and highly-trained sales team.

2 thoughts on “A Step-by-Step Guide to Button Braids”

  1. Please stop teaching people to cut the end of the braid. Teach them to hide the ends. This cutting of the ends doesn’t “end” well after a few days of showing. Thank you

    Reply
    • Thanks for the valuable feedback! When reading our written tutorial you will notice that we advocate for clipping the ends of the yarn, but not cutting the mane. If the mane is properly pulled prior to the braiding process, there should be no reason to need to cut the mane.

      Reply

Leave a Comment