My Story | Equine Keepsakes horse hair jewelry

My mother always tells stories of my younger years. Most I do not recall at all, but seemingly every one includes a segment where she discusses my love for jewelry, crafts, and similar projects. You can pair that with my love for horses, which seems to have been something I was born with. I guess, as I grew up, I managed to pair my two biggest passions together, and thus horse hair jewelry was my calling. It's truly not that simple though. Like so many, I collected small sections of tail hair from my horses over the years. We didn't have many, as I couldn't bare to part with them, but the few that passed on were always close to me. I never dreamed I would find a use for the hair. If I'm being honest, I'm not sure I ever considered that a requirement. The hair was with me, that was all that mattered.
When my Pretty Boy passed away so unexpectedly in October of 2012, I was beyond devastated. A friend mentioned horse hair bracelets to me, and I'm sure I looked quite confused. I had never heard of such a thing. I started looking into the cost of having a horse hair bracelet made. It was horrifying to see how many people were being charged such extreme prices for this type of jewelry. As if the loss of a beloved horse isn't enough, equestrians are often then faced with large final veterinary bills, burial or cremation costs, etc. I knew then that I wanted to begin designing horse hair jewelry, even if to just create one to honor my sweet boy.

Soon after that I began working with various ideas. I created approximately 100 bracelets that winter, all for friends who liked the idea. I still couldn't bare to touch my boy's hair though. Eventually that feeling subsided and by February of 2013 I created my first double wrap bracelet. It was designed in simplistic sterling silver hardware with a tiny diamond and ruby heart charm. That bracelet was all that I had left of my precious boy, and it meant more to me than words could ever explain.

Unless you have experienced the joy that comes along with having the company of a horse, and then the loss of that horse, you can never understand the importance what appears to many as "just a bracelet". I will cherish my personal horse hair bracelet forever, and although I may not decide to wear it often, it will always be a much loved addition to my collection.

These horse hair bracelets represent memories. Horse hair jewelry is a wonderful opportunity for us to keep our beloved horses with us long after they are gone.

I am honored to have been chosen to design memoirs of this kind for equestrians around the world. I hope that they cherish their pieces as much as I do my own. This is not a job that I take lightly. It is a registered business, the sole income for my three children and I, and also a unique experience for equestrians worldwide. I thank each and every one of you who have allowed me to assist with such important designs, and I look forward to many more years.

Aimee Cain

Equine Keepsakes