Directions for a Horse Hair Bracelet

Use hair from a horse's tail.

Horsehair bracelets are beautiful, timeless accessories that appeal to avid equestrians and fashionistas alike. You can spend a good amount of money purchasing a horsehair bracelet or you can gather a few supplies and make one yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Horse hair
• Rubber bands
• Shampoo
• Glue
• Pliers
• Jewelry findings

Instructions

1. 

   Collect hair from the base of the tailbone.

   Collect the hair. Use hair from the horse's tail because it needs to be long enough to work into a bracelet. If you want to incorporate a pattern, separate several different hair colors into sections.

2. 

   Use rubber bands to secure ends.

   Secure three sections of hair with small rubber bands. Try to make each section equally thick. Some people even count each hair to be sure the sections are exact.

3. 

   Gently wash the horse hair.

   Wash the hair gently. Remove all dirt and debris so that the hair is easy to work with and your bracelet does not have an odor. Do not use conditioner. Allow the hair to dry completely.

4. 

   Clamp the finding with a small pair of pliers.

   Combine the top of the three sections and attach them to a jewelry finding. A finding is usually a piece of metal that holds the ends together and allows the jewelry to form a bracelet that can be worn. It can be found in most craft stores. Clamp the finding with a pair of small pliers.

5. 

   Attach the hair to a nail.

   Attach the finding to something sturdy, like a nail in a piece of wood. This will keep the hair secure and make braiding easier.

6. 

   Braid the hair just as you would for human hair.

   Start braiding. You want the braid to be firm so that it stays consistent, but not so tight that it kinks. It may take you a few times to figure out the proper amount of pressure.

7. 

   A piece of thread will secure the end of the braid.

   Secure the end of the braid with a piece of string or thread. Make sure it is thin enough to fit into a finding. Clamp the finding and hook the findings together to complete your bracelet.

8. 

   Drop a dollop of glue into the finding.

   Secure the end of the braid in another finding. Drop some glue in the finding and push the braided end inside. Clamp the finding to complete your bracelet.

Tips & Warnings

• If your braid starts to kink, it is too tight. Unravel the braid and start over.

• Use a light hand with the glue. You only need a drop inside of the findings.

References

• Beautiful Horses: Braided Horsehair Bracelet
• Equestrian How2: How to make a horse hair bracelet