Believe it or not, horse hair has a number of different uses, some of them quite surprising. It’s strong, durable and flexible, making it ideal for a variety of applications. From fabrics to wigs and from brushes to bows of musical instruments, the versatility of horse hair is truly astounding.
So what is horse hair used for? In this article, we’ll review 10 interesting uses of horse hair.
What is Horse Hair?
Horse hair is the hair that is usually taken from the horse’s tail and mane. It is a type of protein fiber that is both strong and flexible. In the past, it was often used in the manufacturing of upholstery, bristles for brushes, and felts for hats. Today, horse hair is still used for these purposes, but it has also found new uses in a variety of industries.
Horse hair comes in different lengths and quality levels. Accordingly, different types of hair is used in different applications. For instance, the hair from the mane is softer and longer and is, therefore, used in making fabrics or long-haired wigs. Medium-length or shorter hair from the tail is used in making bristles for brushes or to stuff upholstery.
What Is Horse Hair Used For?
Amongst the many uses of a horse, horse hair is often overlooked. With its strength, flexibility, and durability, horse hair has a number of surprising uses. Here are the top 10:
- Fabrics
- Bristles for brushes
- Wigs
- Pottery
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Bows of musical string instruments
- Stuffing inside pillows and bedding
- Fishing lures
- Hats
- Dusters
Let’s now look closely at each of these remarkable uses and products made using horse hair.
#1. Fabrics
A common use of horse hair is in woven fabric. Horse hair fabric is made by interweaving horse hair with other fibers like wool, cotton or silk. This type of fabric is often used for upholstery, clothing, and other textiles. It’s also used in carpets and rugs.
Fabrics made from horse hair are known for their durability and strength. They’re also resistant to stretching and creasing, making them ideal for clothing such as suits, dresses, skirts, and jackets. Horse hair fabrics also have a luster that adds a touch of elegance to any piece of clothing made from it.
#2. Bristles for brushes
One of the most popular uses for horse hair is in the manufacturing of brushes. Horse hair bristles are used in a variety of different types of brushes, including paintbrushes, shaving brushes, and even some types of cosmetics brushes.
The reason horse hair is so popular for brush-making is that it’s able to retain its shape and stiffness, even when wet. This makes it the perfect material for brushes that need to maintain their shape and firmness, such as paintbrushes. Horse hair bristles are also soft enough to be gentle on the skin, making them ideal for shaving brushes and cosmetics brushes.
#3. Wigs
Horse hair is also used in the production of wigs and hairpieces. The hair is often collected from the tail or mane of the horse, and then it’s sewn or weaved into a wig cap. This type of wig is often used by people who are experiencing hair loss.
Horse hair wigs are known for their natural look and feel. They’re also very durable, making them a good choice for people who want a wig that will last for a long time.
#4. Pottery
Horse hair is sometimes used in pottery as well. The hair is added to the clay before it’s fired, and it creates interesting patterns in the glaze. This type of pottery is often used for decorative purposes.
Using horse hair in pottery is not new. In fact, horse hair pottery is found in Native American Novajo art. The pottery is made by adding horse hair to the clay while it’s being shaped. When the pottery is fired, the horse hair burns away and leaves behind interesting patterns in the glaze.
#5. Jewelry & Accessories
Horse hair is also used to make a variety of different jewelry and accessories. Bracelets, necklaces, and rings are all commonly made using horse hair. The hair is often braided or woven into intricate designs.
Accessories made using horse hair are often very strong and durable. They’re also unique and stylish, making them a popular choice for people who want to add a touch of personality to their outfits. Common accessories made with horse hair include purses, belts, wallets and hats.
#6. Bows of musical string instruments
A very interesting application of horse hair is in the manufacturing of bows for string instruments. A bow will typically need 100 to 200 individual strands of hair which are then glued together. The horse hair is then attached to the bow’s stick.
Bows made with horse hair are known for their ability to produce a clear, crisp sound. They’re also very flexible, which allows musicians to create a wide range of sounds. Bowed string instruments that use horse hair bows include violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
#7. Stuffing inside pillows and bedding
Pillows and bedding are usually stuffed with materials like down or polyester fiberfill. However, some high-end pillows and bedding are stuffed with horse hair.
Horse hair is a natural material, so it’s often used as a stuffing because it’s breathable and hypoallergenic. It’s also very durable, so it can last longer without needing to be replaced.
Typically, the shortest hairs are used for stuffing pillows and bedding because they’re less useful for other applications like making fabric or bows for violins and then can be compacted together more densely.
#8. Fishing lures
People have been using horse hair for fishing lures or lines for centuries. The hair is strong and flexible, making it ideal for this purpose.
Horse hair is spun together to produce very long lines. People who prefer not to use synthetic materials often use horse hair because it’s a natural product.
#9. Hats
Hats made from horse hair can be very stylish and unique. The hair is often used to make brimmed hats, such as cowboy hats and fedoras.
Horse hair hats aren’t easy to make. Because horse hair is tough it doesn’t bend easily. This makes it a challenge to shape into the desired hat form.
#10. Dusters
Just as horse hair is used to make brushes, another natural application is using it to make dusters. The hair is often used to make feather dusters, which are used for dusting furniture and other surfaces.
Horsehair dusters are very effective at trapping dust and dirt. They’re also gentle enough to use on delicate surfaces without damaging them.
The Bottom Line
Horse hair is an interesting raw material and can be taken from a live horse without causing it any pain. It’s strong, durable, and stylish, making it a popular choice for many products.
It is commonly used for making fabrics, brushes, dusters, wigs, jewelry, accessories, pottery, hats, fishing lures, stuffing inside pillows and bedding as well as for bows for musical string instruments
