IMO Braids do allow you to get more water on (and then scrape off) the horse's neck when doing a ride in heat. I forgot to do it on my last really hot 50 and missed the ease at which I could get to his neck.
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ~ John Wayne
This may be silly and I stand at the ready to have my chain yanked and leg pulled. I note at several of the rides I have attended about half of the horses will have their manes braided. I have a black and white paint that puts on a pretty thick winter coat. I am not able to blanket him/pull blanket off so I don't shave him. Do the braids actually help the horse cool or are they strictly for looks? By the way, he looks pretty darn good with a set of braids!
Rick As for me and my horse, we shall serve the Lord. Gallopin' 2:4
