How to Collect Hair for HorseHair Jewelry

Have you always wanted to be with your horse, even when you weren't at the stable? Or perhaps you have a favorite equine partner who has passed over the Rainbow Bridge? Horsehair Jewelry is a wonderful way to always keep your companion by your side.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• horse
• scissors
• clean towels

1. I ususally start with a tail that has been recently washed and brushed free of tangles. It is ok too, if the tail has not been washed yet, because it can be washed later.

2. Hold the tail up so that you can see the tail shaft (the area underneath the tail where the hair grows from). The tail hair on most horses will be approx 12-18" long. The bottom part of the tail shaft is where I begin the cut the hair from, as this is where the hair usually seems to be the longest.

3. Take a small section of the tail hair, (I use the width of my index finger as a guide). Hold the separated section of hair with one hand and cut the hair close to the tail shaft with your other hand.

4. While collecting the cut sections of tail hair, I lay them flat on a clean towel, or other clean flat surface. Depending on how thick the tail is, I am usually ablt to cut about three nice sections of tail hair from the same horse without being able to notice that I cut anything at all.

5. When your cutting is complete, combine the sections, with the cut ends on one side and tie together with a rubberband.
   Remove some of the real short hairs. You can see the short hairs stick up if you use a comb to "brush" against the hair.
   To be sure that I get all the short hairs out of the section, I take off the rubberband & re-gather the hair a couple inches from the cut end. I then re-comb, against the hair one more time. Once this is complete, I re-gather my section at the cut-end, and brush the hair in the "correct" direction so it lays flat. Then I re-attach the rubberband, making sure the hair is firmly in place.

6. If the hair was not washed when you began cutting, and you choose to wash it, hold the horsehair section at the tied end and gently wash the hair with mild shampoo. Then rinse thoroughly with water. I don't like to use conditioner because it makes the horsehair too slippery to work with.

7. When you are finished washing it, lay the horsehair on a clean towel to air dry. Once dry, take a clean comb & gently brush it.
   
   Now, your horse's tail hair is ready to be braided!

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting from the bottom of the tail shaft will make your hair-cuts almost invisible
• Cut from both sides of the tail shaft, this will allow for a more even looking cut, and won't seem as noticable
• One section of cut hair is usually enough for projects such as one braided bracelet or tassles for your bridle
• Two or more cut sections are great for necklaces, belts, and other longer items
• Take all safe precautions while standing near the horse to cut the tail
• Be careful not to cut the horse while you're cutting his/her tail
• Never cut the tail of a horse whom you don't have the owner's permission to cut

Resources

• How to Prepare for Beginner Western / English horseback rider & riding lessons
• How to Apply Horsehair Braid (crin trim) to Hemlines
• How to Measure a Horse for a Blanket
• How to Find a Full Care Boarding Barn for your Horse
• How to prepare your mare for foaling

[AllFYB]

on 2/20/2009 Great Step by step on Horse Hair jewelery. I will have to try this. Thanks

[ljstraight]

on 12/7/2008 Great information! 5 stars