Horse Hair Memory items

[S1969]

I’ve done a search but some of the links provided were old and no longer good.

Has anyone had horsehair pottery made recently to memorialize a heart horse crossing over?

I had my last two horses euthanized yesterday…my turning 30 year old TB and my daughter’s dead lame 20 year old WB mare. I am moving and they were not candidates for boarding. My sound horse was moved a few weeks ago and has settled nicely so that takes the ache away a little.

I’d love a vase from my TB’s hair; my daughter would like a bracelet although her tail rubbing mare might have damaged it too much to be nice. There are a few posts from 10+ years ago but just curious if anyone has any recent recommended artists. I’d love a good reference before choosing if I could get any.

Thanks!

[JBCool]

I’m so sorry for your loss, but applaud you for doing right by the old ones. Not sure about pottery, but I have had several things made by Ponylocks (bracelet, lapel pin & stock pin) and EnigmaHorse (ring). Very happy with both. Most artists have some extra hair available they can add to yours if you ask. I got my mom the lapel pin with “her” horse’s tail hair that is a blend (yes, white lie, but I figured it was subterfuge for a greater good.)

PonyLocks Custom Horsehair Jewelry & Leather

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Enigmahorse?ref=shop_sugg_market

[Jarpur]

Haven’t used this place, yet, but I’ve got it bookmarked for the future:

Horse Hair Pottery - From Earth to Art - Anna Whitworth

The pot I commissioned was done many years ago, when a regional potter donated the service as a special charity fundraiser.

[GraceLikeRain]

It sounds like you made an ethical, compassionate, and really hard decision. I don’t have recommendations but am following since I have hair from both a horse and a cat that I would like to use for pottery.

[JB]

Ugghhh, I’m so sorry, even as that was definitely the right thing to do. 2 at once…

I have a Pony Locks bracelet from the real JB which is now 23 1/2 years old, and while I don’t wear it during long sleeve weather (because it doesn’t show), I wear it a lot in short sleeve weather, and it’s just as lovely as the day I got it.

[RooTheDay]

Here’s a couple crappy pictures (which don’t at all do the piece justice) of the vase that my amazing spouse got made for me with my EDM mare’s tail hair.

The artist is CL Ramsdell of DakotaBones. Highly recommended; for me the result was more perfect than I could have dared hope.

You are brave and they were loved, @S1969.

[Cerise]

I’ve gotten several items from Tail Spin Bracelets that are really nice. My one bracelet I’ve had for almost 14 years and it’s still in excellent condition. They have quite a few options too, so if you’re worried about not having enough good hair I’m sure they can still do something.

[Indy]

I have two horsehair bracelets. One more traditional one from The Horsehair Studio and one with the hair set under glass by Jennifer Metesh. I love them both.

[endlessclimb]

I am so sorry for your losses, @S1969

[risuenaVT]

My guy, while he is being very very lovely right now, has a terminal diagnosis, so I have been looking around at a lot of the people who make horse hair keepsakes, just to be prepared.

I’m not so into pottery, so I can’t help for that. A lot of the memorial jewelry places seem to use that same basic metal blanks that they set the horse hair into. Enigma Horse, mentioned above, seems to have some very unique options that I haven’t seen at other online shops, I think Enigma Horse is also more expensive than a lot of other options, but that’s also because they are more unique. I’m not sure it’s in my budget, but I’d really like to get a piece from them.

I have also really liked what I’ve seen from The Treasured Horse, partially because I want my remembrance jewelry to be subtle. I don’t need hearts or horse shoe shapes. Just a simple, attractive framework for the hair works for me.

I also like some of the stuff that Spirit Horse Designs has. They are admittedly not as much to my taste, but also my best friend is literally deathly allergic to horse hair (she loves me anyway and loads up on allergy meds when we hang out - I do lots and lots and lots of laundry before hanging out with her), and Spirit Horse Designs has some resin covered jewelry, which theoretically means I can wear it around her without risking her health. Also means that it will last longer. Both of which are bonuses for me.

I haven’t ordered from any company, so I have no personal recommendations, but I do keep looking around to see what the options are.

[S1969]

Thanks all. I really appreciate this group because you get it. My non horse friends and family have questioned my decision, which was certainly not made lightly. The vet clinic was supportive and the day of they were fantastic and really helped me know my decision was the best one. They were doing really pretty well but only because they live in my backyard and did not have to be stalled, or compete with others for hay or grazing, or walk any further than they wanted at any time.

I saw the Dakota Bones site so may reach out to them. I’ll check out the others as well.

I’ll report back on what I decide so others might benefit from the research. Thanks again for your kind thoughts.

[endlessclimb]

My husband still has trouble grasping that horses are not the same as dogs. Yes, they are family all the same, but the complications and issues are WAY different.

You for sure made the right choice for your elderly crew. They knew nothing but joy and happiness and good care - that should be everyone’s goal and you gave that to them.

[lenapesadie]

Sorry for your losses. If it’s any comfort, I also think you made the right choice.

[Obsidian_Fire]

My Art Your Horse, she’s on FB. She did a horsehair pottery for a friend (I commissioned it). She asked for pictures of the horse, and then replicated it (the lid of the pot has a horse on it). Used the tail hair in the pottery itself. It turned out beautiful! https://www.facebook.com/My.Art.Your.Horse/

[pn]

It’s not the hair, however one of my customers had a beautiful belt made for me with a buckle from my beloved horse’s halter. His name was Bravon and they put a B at the tail of the belt. It is beautiful and I wear it every day. I can post a pic here if anyone is interested.

[risuenaVT]

I really appreciate this thread because although I said above that I’m not so into pottery, I am looking at all the links provided and seeing some of the pottery, I am reminded that I am also a knitter and some of the shapes would work as yarn bowls…

And part of the why my guy fell into my lap is that his owner is a knitter and I am a knitter. And we have gone to yarn and wool festivals together… So maybe a ceramic bowl made with his hair that I can use for knitting would be the perfect remembrance (plus a second bowl that I can give to his owner to thank her for sharing him with me)

[JB]

@risuenaVT

And part of the why my guy fell into my lap is that his owner is a knitter and I am a knitter. And we have gone to yarn and wool festivals together… So maybe a ceramic bowl made with his hair that I can use for knitting would be the perfect remembrance (plus a second bowl that I can give to his owner to thank her for sharing him with me)

That gave me goosebumps. Do that

[GoodTimes]

I had a local artist do three vases of different sizes for my mom and I’s three horses. All three are still alive, but I figured the pieces are pretty and we might as well enjoy them. Unfortunately the artist has since retired. It didn’t require much hair, 15-20 long strands. She also gave me the videos of her adding the hair, very cool.
She also had some on display that were done with feathers, they were also lovely. You may have luck searching for a local artist that does raku pottery, instead of just looking up horse hair pottery.

I’m not that into pottery, especially if it has no sentimental value to me, but I’m even less into jewelry.

[risuenaVT]

@GoodTimes

You may have luck searching for a local artist that does raku pottery, instead of just looking up horse hair pottery.

I recently remembered that my mom has a friend who is a potter. And courtesy of my mom’s friend, I now have the contact info of a local artist who does horse hair pottery. So I am pretty sure the coordinating bowls for me and the owner of my lease will be happening.

And because I am rubbish about keeping secrets, I told my his owner today while we were out on a trail ride that I was thinking about commissioning bowls for both of us and she absolutely loved the idea. Like me, she’s been looking around at horse hair stuff, but she already has a bunch of horse hair jewelry and key chains from previous horses and doesn’t really wear jewelry much anyway. And she especially loves the idea of a yarn bowl because of that connection between the two of us. And we pretty predictably followed that part of the conversation up with a discussion of what we’re working on and planning to knit over the winter…

[Argo]

If anyone’s looking for a Canadian business that makes horse hair jewellery, I’ve had great service from Hoof Prints in BC.

I used to know someone who taught pottery classes. She loved when I gave hair to her from shedding season to use in her classes. Might be another option if you can’t find someone already making memorial pieces.