| It is not uncommon to see horses at shows sporting | | | | Braid the rest of the forelock until you reach the end. |
| messy forelock braids that are bumped up like the | | | | Then, tie it off, as your would tie off a regular braid. |
| braids along their manes. Not only do these braids look | | | | This is where you need your needle. Thread the |
| terrible, they are the sure sign of an amateur braiding | | | | needle, and then push it through the base of the |
| job. | | | | forelock braid so that it emerges around half-way up |
| Proper forelock braids are done with an upside-down | | | | the french-braided portion. Pull the braid up under the |
| french braid. While this may sound particularly difficult, | | | | french braid as far as it will follow. Now, sew the braid |
| with a bit of practice, it isn't all that hard at all. You will | | | | down its entire length, finally pulling the thread through |
| need a double-length piece of wool to create this braid. | | | | the bottom of the braid so that it hangs straight down. |
| It is also very helpful to have a blunt, large-eyed needle | | | | Once again, stitch upwards through the base of the |
| or bodkin to sew the braid. | | | | french braid, folding the braid beneath itself a second |
| Before braiding, be sure that the forelock is well | | | | time. If there is still some length to this braid, you might |
| combed out. Do not use show sheen on the forelock. | | | | want to stitch down it again, but usually, there is nothing |
| All thicknesses of forelocks are braided the same | | | | but a small button of hair left. |
| way, but it is helpful if the total length of the forelock is | | | | Remove the needle, and tie the wool beneath the |
| around eye level. | | | | braid in a snug double or triple knot. Trim the ends, and |
| Start out with one strand of hair on the left, and two | | | | your braid is complete. |
| on the right, much like a tail braid. This time, instead of | | | | Removing a forelock braid takes a bit longer as you |
| crossing the top right strand over the left strand, cross | | | | need to pull the wool though the stitches that you |
| the left strand under the top right strand. It is this | | | | made. Make sure that you cut the knot completely off |
| crossing under process that makes the braid show on | | | | before trying it, as it will snag on the hair as you pull it |
| the surface of the braid rather than being hidden under | | | | through. |
| the french braid. Now cross the bottom right strand | | | | If you can perfect your forelock braid, your completed |
| under, so that it is now in the middle. With the next | | | | braiding job will be as nice as that of a professional |
| twist, take a small section of hair from the left of the | | | | braider. Practice up, and you could even earn an |
| forelock and add it to the hair as it crosses under. | | | | income at the show grounds fixing up braids for your |
| Continue until you run out of hair to add. | | | | fellow riders. |