Horse hair braiding device and method

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention a device for braiding horse hair while minimizing damage to the horse hair is provided. The device includes at least one semi-rigid, resilient material being intertwined with the horse hair into a braid and to form and retain the braid into a decorative shape. In an embodiment, the at least one semi-rigid, resilient material intertwined with the horse hair to form and retain a decorative shape.

1 . A device for braiding horse hair while minimizing damage to the horse hair, comprising:
 at least one semi-rigid, resilient material being intertwined with the horse hair into a braid and to form and retain the braid into a decorative shape.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fastener formed in the end of the braid.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the braid being molded into at least one of a button shape, a knob braid, a hunter braid, a doughnut shape, a coil shape, a zig-zag shape, a spiked shape, and a scalloped braid. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the decorative shape being formed without the use of additional tools. 
     
     
         5 . A device for braiding horse hair while minimizing damage to the horse hair, comprising:
 at least one semi-rigid, resilient material being folded into at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment extending from a central section of the semi-rigid, resilient material, the semi-rigid, resilient material being intertwined with the horse hair to form and retain a decorative shape.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a fastener formed in the end of the braid.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the braid being molded into at least one of a button shape, a knob braid, a hunter braid, a doughnut shape, a coil shape, a zig-zag shape, a spiked shape, and a scalloped braid. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 more than one semi-rigid, resilient material.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the more than one semi-rigid, resilient material being tied together to form a chain of material. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the more than one semi-rigid, resilient material being doubled up for braiding bulky mane. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the decorative shape being formed without the use of additional tools. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener being formed by a single hitch knot. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the semi-rigid, resilient material being a formable wire. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the formable wire comprising a coating to provide a slick surface to minimize damage to the horse hair. 
     
     
         15 . A method of braiding horse hair while minimizing damage to the horse hair, comprising:
 partitioning the horse hair into at least a first section and a second section;   gathering a first segment of a semi-rigid, resilient material with the first section of the horse hair;   gathering a second segment of the semi-rigid, resilient material with the second section of the horse hair;   shaping the at least first and second sections of horse hair and the first and second segments of the semi-rigid, resilient material into a braid; and   fastening an end of the braid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 further partitioning the horse hair into at least a third section of hair.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming the semi-rigid, resilient material into at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment extending from a central section of the semi-rigid, resilient material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 positioning the braid into a decorative shape.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 looping the braid by pulling a first end of the first segment and a second end of the second segment together with the braid end up towards the base of the braid;   pushing the first end and the second end into the base of the braid and pulling the first end and the second end through the base of the braid to form a loop in the braid.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 fastening the first end and the second end to retain the decorative shape.