Horse Hair Uses

The term "horsehair" refers to hair from the tail and the mane of a horse. Over time, horsehair has been used for a variety of purposes, including wig making in the 1700s and furniture stuffing in the 1800s. Up until the technologies of the 1900s, horsehair was also used to make paintbrushes and fishing lines. Some people still rely on horsehair for a variety of applications.

Musical Instruments

Horsehair is still commonly used for the bows of musical instruments like the violin, cello, viola and double bass.

Jewelry

The strength and durability of horsehair make it a good choice in the creation of jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings and key chains.

Pottery

To create unique designs, horsehair is often used in throwing pottery. As the pots are removed from the kiln, horsehair is applied to leave a dark, scorched pattern.

Belts

Horsehair is commonly used in the southwest to make horsehair belts. Hair from a horse's tail is woven into intricate designs and patterns.

Hair Weaves

Horsehair is also used to accentuate the manes or tails of show horses. Lengths of it are woven or braided into the existing hair.

Textiles

As a sturdy textile, horsehair has been used for centuries to create haircloth, which is useful in furniture coverings or as the "straining" portion of sieves.

References

• Many Uses of Horsehair
• Twisted Tails Horsehair Jewelry
• Horsehair as a Textile