I’d probably try 2 or 3 small diameter/short pan head wood screws in brass or stainless. It would be a good idea to carefully pre-drill pilot holes to make sure the plastic doesn’t split. Full disclosure, I’ve only done this on wooden brushes but I don’t see any reason why the it wouldn’t work on hard plastic provided you can find the right size. I’d try to space them in between the bristle bunches so you don’t knock out some tufts.
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I think that the horse hair that is used for brushes (including artists’ paintbrushes) is mane and tail hair that’s been collected from horses that are not necessarily dead. Although it’s completely possible that horses that have been slaughtered have their manes and tails used. But horses being kept domestically for other (non-meat) purposes can also have their hair collected.
I know that Haas has said that its horsehair brushes are horsehair mixed with other bristles, including synthetic, because horse tends to be very soft. So the Schimmel brush is almost entirely made of coconut fibers and they’re what make it a stiff brush. The Haas Grundy’s Finest soft brush is made mostly with horsehair, at least according to information that Smartpak has on its website.
I believe that the coconut fiber brushes are 100% coconut fiber since they’re stiff enough that they don’t need the support of synthetic fiber bristles. Haas has confirmed that the horsehair is sourced from euthanized horses, according to an answer from a SmartPak representative in response to a question about this on one of the product pages for a Haas brush.
That being said, Leistner has a good number of 100% horsehair brushes if anyone is looking specifically for that.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. Is it slaughtered horses? That would be a deal killer for me.
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It doesn’t really say what the purpose is in their answer. On these three product pages (Haas Diamond Gloss Soft Brush, Haas Diva Exclusive Soft Brush, and Haas Noir Soft Brush) people asked about the sourcing.
SmartPak’s Customer Care team answered these questions with “Thanks for your question! Haas has confirmed that the hair from their brushes comes from horses that have been humanely euthanized.”
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I’m so split on this. On the one hand, dead horse. On the other, it’s provided a resource that brings comfort to living horses. In a way the animal is still here on Earth with us.
Sigh. Why can’t we all be in love with cars rather than these creatures?
It definitely provided a huge sticking point for me too. However, ultimately my horse doesn’t really tolerate synthetic bristles so I eventually converted to all natural fiber bristle brushes (plant or animal hairs). Not super thrilled about it but I can’t really explain to my horse about different bristles, all she knows is that she likes natural fiber brushes
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Ok @Posting_Trot, I need some grey horse Haas brush recommendations!
My grey is very tolerant of a firm grooming - he isn’t sensitive and has a bit of a coarse (but not heavy or thick) coat.
The Schimmel is a definite and is already in my cart. But I am trying to decide another must-have brush to buy.
Any recommendations?
I really like the Cavaliere. I’d do curry - Schimmel - Cavaliere - then one of the soft ones. I have both the soft Noir and the Diva.
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I have the Cavaliere and like it a lot as well. It’s a nice brush that is on the softer side but still does a good job of sweeping away dirt. I also have an Amazone which is short-bristled and somewhat stiffer than the Cavaliere and it seems like it is better against dirt that has gone all the way down to the skin.
I also have a Grundy’s Finest that I use on the face and as a finishing brush. My horse does like the Schimmel to be used on the inside of her ears, though! Your horse’s mileage may vary on that point!
Other people with gray horses like the Lipizzaner brush, but I haven’t talked myself into getting it (yet)!
I really like the Haas Koko Mane & Tail brush. Technically this is the same brush as the Schimmel in terms of bristle type, they’re both coconut fiber. However, I like the size of it and it’s the perfect brush for tails since the coconut bristles have enough give that it doesn’t yank out any tail hairs! I only finger comb in detangler solution and then use the Koko brush now on tails, no other combs or brushes etc
I think I am going to try the Schimmel and the Cavalier.
I’m still undecided on a finishing brush. Too many choices!
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As far as a finishing brush goes the lesson horses I ride, my riding teachers and I all prefer the Haas Country boar bristle brush. Our hands seem to just reach for it when we are in doubt. Even though it is a good finishing brush if there is any dirt left deep down it seems to bring it up to where it is easily brushed off.
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Hi friends,
I haven’t read this whole thread but I can tell y’all have a lot of opinions and information to share.
My 8yo mare dislikes grooming. Most of her ill-tempered behaviors around grooming - snapping at the air, tail swishing, moving around - have diminished somewhat after treatment for ulcers and recent kissing spine surgery.
That said, she’s still not a fan. I just try to knock off the bits of old hay and dried manure and get on with it. Right now, we’re lungeing and working in hand for her kissing spine recovery. Soon, though, I’ll be saddling her and I’ll need to do more grooming in earnest.
Haas experts: what do you suggest?
She’s a dark red liver chestnut
Sensitive in nature
We live in a desert, so lots of dust instead of mud
No humidity, so lots of static
Thanks!
The Haas Military brush is one that is recommended for chestnuts and I use it as a dandy brush. It can get an amazing amount of dust out of the horse’s coat.
The Haas Country brush is made of pig bristles and I use it as a body brush. In their blurb for it they said that it does not cause static electricity or scratch the horse’s skin. It is interesting, I’ve noticed that when I and my riding teachers are just reaching for a brush that our hands just seem to reach for the Haas Country brush. It can get a LOT of the dirt left over from the other Haas brushes off the skin. The horses all seem to like being brushed by it too, including the chestnut lesson horse I ride who really does not enjoy being brushed by regular brushes because he has super, super sensitive skin. He has yet made a threat movement in reaction to the Haas Country brush.
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I am going to be a bit of an outlier here I think, but I love the Noir. It’s soft but a flick brush. My horse gets dandruff-y in winter, but also likes softer brushes.
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Ok Haas folks - I need another recommendation.
Which curry comb does everyone like best?
- Haas Pummel Einhorn Striegel Unicorn Sturdy Curry Comb
- Haas Striegel Der Gute Best Grooming Stiff Curry Comb
- Haas Striegel New Generation Soft Curry Comb
Anyone have any thoughts?
I tried out the Der Gute curry today and OMG!!! This thing is amazing! My pinto pony lives out 24/7 in a dry field that’s either mud or dirt and even in August he’s beginning to get just the hint of fuzziness to his coat. This curry took out so much dirt and what makes it really great is that it stays in the brush until you bang it out. I had little oval piles of dirt on the ground all around me. Afterwards I used the Mustang brush (the one with wires in it) and a softer finishing brush and he was sparkling. Someone thought I had bathed him because his white patches were really really white. Even patting his hindquarters didn’t cause clouds of dirt.
I’m hoping they keep the Der Gute the way it is and not replace it with the newer softer one. It may not be for all horses but it’s perfect just as it is.
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The Dressage Pony Store in CA now carries the Eqclusive brushes and their grooming sprays! Here’s the link for anyone who’s nervous about ordering from overseas: https://thedressageponystore.com/collections/grooming
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Has anyone tried the mane and tail brush that’s like a regular grooming brush (not a hairbrush?) I watched a video on how to use it and I’d love to get away from using detanglers on my pony’s long long mane and forelock. It seems like a lot of work but supposedly the horsehair mixed with the plastic fibers brings a shine to the hair. Plus, having one less thing to use, buy and replace would be nice.
I’d love to see how that thick black tail turned out, and how long it took!
