How to Order a Piece of Custom Horsehair Jewelry


Horsehair pieces are made by me by hand in Los Gatos, CA.

Please allow for 6 to 10 weeks to complete your order.  Jewelry with specially ordered hardware may take longer.

 You will receive a confirmation email when I receive the hair.  If you don't receive a confirmation, please contact me to make sure I have received your horse's hair.

Orders are completed in the order the hair is received.


The instructions for collecting hair, measuring for a bracelet, and other questions are below.  If you have any questions, please contact me.

If you have a special occasion or rush on the order, please call 1-510-847-4691 or message me through this website. Please note the deadline date in the comment section of your order and in your package when you ship the hair.  


  • Complete your order online.  If you have questions, please contact me.

  • Collect your horse's hair.  See below for instructions.

  • Put secured hair in a baggie with your horse's name, your name, and order number.

  • Send via Priority Mail or with tracking, to:

    Lisa Dahlen Designs

    PO Box 321167

    Los Gatos, CA  95032

Ordering Horsehair Jewelry FAQ

How do I collect my horse's hair?

  • Carefully grasp the longest hairs (or those at least 20 inches long) at the very tip of the tail bone and whisking away the shorter hairs. 
  • Clip small sections of hair, working close to the tail bone. 
  • Make sure the hair is long enough.   20" may sound like a lot but it is not.  I need more than double the length of the completed bracelet.
  • If the hair isn't long enough, you can message me and we can come up with a solution.
  • I ask for hair closest to the tail bone because it is the healthiest hair and makes the best, most durable braids.  
  • Please don't send banged hair or hair cut randomly from the exterior of the tail.  This hair is usually not long enough and makes an inferior braid.
  • For a 4-5mm size bracelet I need about 200 hairs.  This is about the diameter of a pencil or drinking straw.
  • For a small braid used in a pendant or similar piece, I need around 100 hairs.  This is about the diameter of a cocktail straw or toothpick.
  • Make sure when you measure the diameter of the hair, you measure at least 1/2 way down the hair. The hair must be long enough for me to work with.
  • Gather the hair together and secure with a rubber band (a braiding band is good) or a soft string. 

  • Loosely loop the hair, do not knot the hair, and put the hair in a zip lock bag with a label including your name, the name of the horse, and order number.
  • I will not process hair that is tangled, matted, or excessively dirty. 

  • Hair that is collected from the 'field' or stall and/or not neatly secured with a band will be charged a minimum $45.00 for extra processing.
  • I always wash the hair, no matter how clean it appears to be.  Braiding with absolutely clean hair is critical to the quality of your piece of jewelry.
  • If you wash the hair, please do not add any conditioners.  The hair must be absolutely dry before putting it into the baggie or it will mold and be unusable.
  • All unused hair will be returned with your completed piece of jewelry.

How do I send the hair?

Put your horse's gently looped and secured  hair in a zip lock bag (no knotting please) with a label including your name, your horse's name, and the order number.  I also appreciate it if you can tell me where you heard about me or if someone referred me.

Please send the hair to (with tracking or via Priority Mail):
Lisa Dahlen Designs
PO Box 321167
Los Gatos, CA  95032

What if I only have a little bit of hair?

  • If you only have a little bit of hair or hair that is not long enough, please contact me and we can discuss the options available to you.
  • The inset braid pieces are ideal for instances where you don't have much hair.

What if I only have mane hair?

  • Yes, I braid with mane hair.  Mane hair is much finer, shorter, and more prone to breakage than tail hair, making it more difficult to work with. 
  • Please contact me to let me know that you will be using mane hair.  I will let you know, once I receive the hair, whether I can complete your piece of jewelry.
  • For Pendant styles with 2mm - 3mm braids:
    • An additional $50 fee per braid applies to mane hair >= 12". 
    • An additional $75 fee per braid applies to mane hair between 8" and 12". 
    • An additional $100 fee per braid applies to mane hair between 6" and 8".
    • I cannot work with hair that is less than 6".
    • For bracelet styles with 4mm - 5mm braids:
    • The mane hair must be at least 15".  Please follow the collection instructions for how much hair I need.
    • An additional fee of $75 per braid applies to mane hair.
    • Mane hair is beautiful and works well in the Keystone, Horseshoe, and Bar styles as the delicate hair is protected from wear. 

What do you do with the leftover hair?

  • I always return the leftover hair with your piece of jewelry.
    • Please include the name(s) of your horse(s) with your order so I can properly label the returned hair.

Can I send you an entire tail?

  • Yes, you can send me the entire tail.  
  • I will wash the tail and send it back with your completed piece of jewelry.
    • Please include the name of your horse with your order so I can properly label the returned hair.

How do I measure for a bracelet?

  • The best way is to measure a bracelet you currently wear.  Please note whether the clasp is a lobster or a toggle.
  • I have a detailed description of measuring for a bracelet here:  Bracelet Measurement
    • Please be sure to measure carefully for your bracelet.  Additional charges will apply if I have to adjust the size.