Itshorse hair jewelry not easy to find horse-specific jewelr

Horse Hair Bracelet photo by Justine

Many traditional pieces are too fine or too bulky to wear while riding, or they dont accurately display horses as we horse people see them as everyday.

Several months ago, I blogged about the painful memory of having to sell my best friend, Tuffy, the horse I owned throughout my childhood and into my young adult life.

Unlike most,horse hair jewelry my situation ended happily, and my horse went to a loving home where he was spoiled by two young girls. On top of that, horse hair jewelry I was still able to be a part of his life with his second mily. Before I sold him however, I took a clipping of his beautiful two-toned tail (he was a black and white paint), which I harbored away in a closet for many years. It wasnt until I met the artist Lorna Russell that I found the perfect way to carry Tuffys memory with me every day.

Lorna Russell of Red River Horse Hair Designs in Paris, Texas, is an artist. She creates hand crafted horse hair jewelry in unique braids and twists with bead and silver accents. Each design she creates, is as unique as every relationship is from horse to horse owner. She personally made me an adjustable braided bracelet which not only easy to wear, but durable. Ive worn it while in the saddle, but also at work or out and about, without worry of tear or other damage.

The horse hair is tightly braided, and comes together to form a beautiful twist. The six-strand black and white band that make up my personal piece reminds me of Tuffy every day. Its a gift that is incredibly personal.

Prices range from $45 to $175, depending on the type item, the length and amount of silver beaded accents added to it.  All I had to do was send Lorna Tuffys tail,Horse hair hat decora, and she sent mailed the new piece back to me. She can ship the jewelry anywhere.

What I admired most, is that Lorna is extremely specific and careful. The work is done solely by her, not by a machine in a ctory somewhere. At first, I was hesitant to part with the strands I have of Tuffys tail. They were really all I had left of him after all these years. But Lorna was kind and I felt comfortable with her. Shes thorough and trustworthy.

Jewelry like this would make a great gift to someone who may be mourning the loss of their horse, or just a gift to remind a rider of their equine partner wherever they go.

 I wanted to know more about her company, so I decided to interview her.

More about Red River Horse Hair Designs and Lorna Russell:

What made you want to do this type of jewelry? And how did you learn how to braid like this?

Lorna:  I have done many types of handcrafts during my life from macram to origami. When I had to put down my 31-year-old mare last ll, I wanted something more than photos to remember her.

I checked out several websites offering horse hair jewelry and became scinated by the different items and determined to learn how to do this. Im self taught, starting with the hair I took from her tail. My first attempts were pretty childish and I felt like she was teaching me and taking care of me in the same way she always did on the trail.

More online searches and lots of practice, and the pieces began to satisfy me so I started to show them to horse friends I trust, to give me an honest opinion. When they gave me the green light, I started the business the first of this year.

Tell me about your life as an equestrian: I have had horses since I was 6, Im 54 and a retired anesthesiologist. I was a little girl with horses in the back yard and learned to ride by lling off a lot until I figured out how to stay on. I rode bareback because my folks couldnt afford a saddle.

I never competed at anything for the same financial reasons, just rode mostly alone for the pure love of horses. The only time I have not owned at least one horse was during medical school when I did not have the time but chose my current location because land was affordable. I can live in the country on 98 ac and only be 30 min from work. Ive always said I practiced medicine to support my horse habit.

The mare I put down, was my first purchase during residency in 1984 and helped keep me sane during those years. I owned her for over 26 years. She was the best trail horse ever and tried to do whatever I asked including jumping and dressage. Given that she was only a14.3 hands Appy and I am 510, we were a sight.

I trail and pleasure ride, attend clinics 3-4 times a year and chase cows when I can.

Where can people see your work first hand?  I attended the Texas Country Reporter Festival at the end of Oct. in Waxahatchie, Tx, and set up a booth with a selection of finished pieces. This was my first live sale event. I do intend to go to other horse events throughout the year both to sell and to advertise. My best horse friend from college wants me to set up a booth at Rolex Kentucky next April. That way she can stay with me in my trailer, have a vendor pass and attend the events.

Justine GriffinHorse Junkie from Florida who rides mounted patrol ponies. Blogs mostly about her love, Reggie, a hanoverian jumper/dressage gelding. When shes not riding, shes writing.

Horse Junkies United is the blog for and by amateur riders, bringing together equestrians of different disciplines (hunter/jumper, dressage and eventing) and parts of the world. With its team of 26 regular HJU bloggers, amateur photographers and contributions from readers, Horse Junkies United strikes the perfect balance of covering international and national competitions with feel-good stories about life with horses, always from the amateur riders point of view.

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