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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Horse Hair Jewelry

1/15/2020

 
I am going to be honest here. It sort of creeps me out that people have jewelry made from the manes and tails of horses who are no longer with us. My shield is up; take your best shot.

It wasn't until Montoya, my most beloved horse of all time, passed that I had even heard about cutting off the tail and keeping it as a memento. I am sorry, but no. Hell no. When the vet asked me if I wanted to cut off her tail, I was absolutely horrified. It felt like I would be maiming her to even consider such a thing.
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Montoya - Doing the Fire Mountain 50 Miler in January of 2009
After much insisting, I was finally persuaded to take a small piece of her forelock which I placed in a sparkly, gauzy bag along with her bridle tag. I never look at it, and in fact, I had to hunt around my office to even find it.
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She passed in January of 2010.
Cutting off one of my horse's tails after death will not be anything that I ever do. I am also opposed to burials. I have made my husband promise, and I mean PROMISE, that my body will be cremated. That's assuming that he outlives me.

I have zero connection to the remains of the deceased. And when it comes to the cremains of a loved one; scatter 'em, I say. And I mean no disrespect. For me, the corporeal shell is just that, a place to hold the essence of who we are. Once we no longer inhabit that being, it is a meaningless bag of bones and hair that should be allowed to return to the earth.   
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Well, hello there.
So imagine my ... disgust, creep factor, wariness when I opened my birthday card from my dad and stepmom. In it was a gift card to a company that makes jewelry from horse hair. My very first thought was a simple, no. My plan was to just let the gift card sit there unused and hopefully forgotten. But ...

I am also horribly opposed to waste. The gift card was sent with love and the hope that jewelry made from Speedy's or Izzy's hair would bring me joy. I decided to look at the web site and see what it was all about. SpiritHorse Designs is a small company that specializes in meeting the needs of each of its customers. From what I can tell, the company is a one-woman show. 

At first, I decided I would just order a piece of jewelry using the horse hair they keep in stock. I didn't want to know where the hair came from, I just didn't want it to be from Montoya. And then I read something that really struck me.
​Don't wait until you have to say goodbye to have a special horse hair bracelet or jewelry created.
Don't wait until it's too late and you are on the floor, sobbing in heart felt pain.
Don't wait until your barn bestie is beside themselves in a grief so deep they don't even hear you comforting them.
Create an incredible moment of giving and love right now - so you can see and feel the joy a custom horse hair bracelet brings!
Don't wait until you have to say goodbye ... I never thought of it like that. It didn't bother me at all to cut a hunk of Speedy's and Izzy's tails while they munched happily on their breakfast.
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i don't think either horse will miss this little bit.
It didn't bother me one little bit to carefully shampoo each strand ...
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Angela, the owner of SpiritHorse Designs provides directions for how to send her your horse's hair.
As I happily shampoo'ed, I realized how horrible it would be to wash away the dirt and debris knowing your horse was gone. But mine aren't gone. They're right here with me.
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Speedy's yellow tail hairs started to turn white.
As I scrubbed and rubbed, it was done with joy in my heart knowing that both of my boys were happily eating their dinners after having been ridden and loved on during the morning.
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Izzy's tail was a lot dirtier!
As I washed and rinsed, I actually felt excited about wearing a piece of jewelry made from their hair. They didn't mind giving it up, and now wearing a bracelet will make me smile every time I look down at it.
Picture
Clean and nearly dry.
It takes two to four weeks for your jewelry to arrive, so I'll be sure to let you know how the bracelet turns out. I no longer feel creeped out by the thought of wearing a piece of jewelry made from my horses' hair. Instead, it feels me with joy. 

As it turns out, the gift certificate was the perfect gift. I am filled with joy and gratitude at just the thought of seeing that bracelet.

Thank you, Dad and Judy! I am going to love it, I know.
Amanda Gustin link
1/15/2020 06:51:28 am

I actually feel exactly the same way! The idea of cutting hair off after the horse has passed makes me ill, but I've often thought about doing something now. I look forward to seeing pictures of your final project, because this is something I've thought a lot about moving forward with in this year.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/19/2020 04:40:43 pm

I promise to share once it comes in. :0)

Kathleen Garner link
1/15/2020 07:47:52 am

I can top the ewww factor. I know someone who actually had their horse’s hide made into a rug. 😳. I didn’t save a Taz’s hair either. I have pictures & memories. But, honoring your horses while they’re alive is awesome!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/19/2020 04:41:18 pm

Okay - ew! Pictures and memories are THE BEST! :0)

Alanna
1/15/2020 09:49:55 am

Although I do not feel the same way, and definitely did cut of my horse's tail when he died, I do understand what are you saying. I love wearing my horse hair bracelet from my deceased horse, just because it reminds me of him. I can definitely see the joy from wearing hair from a living horse! :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/19/2020 04:44:19 pm

I think it is a totally awesome thing for people to do. It's just not for me. I know I'll enjoy the bracelet, and when/if one of my boys passes sooner than expected, I'll continue to wear the bracelet. I would never criticize how someone else wants to remember their loved ones. I just don't "feel" anything for tangible reminders myself. :0)

lytha
1/15/2020 10:43:38 am

I agree with you completely. I feel it's goulish. Not that you'd cut off an entire tail though, would anyone? Geez I hope not.

I was lucky. In the end, I had the choice to take something from him, but happily I'd had a bit of mane from a bridle path clipping accident. It's fully enough for me.

For Mara, since I sent her away and envied her hair, I did cut a lock out of her multi-colored chestnut tail. Gorgeous. Like Izzy's fullness.

I keep the both of them in a crystal dish in our Vitrine. To make jewelry isn't something I'm ready for yet. Thank you for sharing your story.

I have nothing of Mag yet.

When I find hair of Baasha in an old saddle blanket or cooler...nostalgia. I have something tiny just there. Still, I need to sell that stuff on ebay.

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/19/2020 04:47:21 pm

For me, looking at photos and telling stories is enough for me. And yes, finding little reminders is heartwarming. Just today, I had a lovely Montoya moment.

It's been particularly cold here, and while a vest is usually enough, today I needed something warmer. I dug down through my old sweatshirts and came across one I had forgotten about. It is embroidered with mine and Montoya's names, and on the back is the logo and mileage that we did at the Death Valley Encounter - 200 miles, 4 days. :0)

lytha
1/29/2020 08:51:22 am

It's probably huge on you now *lol*

I found an old bird's nest recently lined in white mane/tail hair. It could be Baasha's! I'm keeping it of course. I always told him, "I love every hair on your body" and I still do: )

Marlane link
1/15/2020 03:57:03 pm

Having lost two horses in the past I decided to make something to remember my horses while they are still here also. It then morphed into a branch of my pedigree making enterprise. Here is a link or go to ebay under custom pedigree https://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Picture-Pedigree-Photo-Chart-of-horse-or-pony-11-by-14/264463384404?hash=item3d933eff54:g:oXoAAOSwvzFdxiRT

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/19/2020 04:48:31 pm

I have seen those before, Marlane, and they are truly lovely. That's a reminder that I would love to have. It would even be nice to have before a horse passes on.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
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