Hitched horsehair items are unique and collectible. First time buyers may need help on what to look for so they purchase high-quality items. Here are a few tips.

¨       Look for uniformity in hitching. Patterns should be centered from edge to edge, and lengthwise. Hitching tension is the tightness of the hitched rows, usually 8 ½ to 10 ½ rows per inch of hitching. Being consistent in hitching tension is more important than the amount of rows hitched per inch.

¨       Dyed colors should not bleed into other colors or background.

¨       A stray hair poking out here or there is acceptable. Just cut it off. Many hairs poking out is poor quality work.

¨       If the item looks like plastic and feels like plastic, it is not considered collectible by serious collectors. It has been improperly pressed.

¨       Pulls of hair should be lying down.

¨       When purchasing belts, make sure there is not excessive leather with a short hitched blank. You want to pay for hitched horsehair, not leather ends.

¨       Choose colors and designs that are personally pleasing to you.

¨       Imported items may be cheaper, but we are finding that individuals who choose this option are paying for inferior products. After a few years of wearing imported belts, the belts can fall apart.

¨       Old pieces have their own uniqueness. At Montana State Prison, cotton butcher twine was taken from the slaughter house and used to hitch over. Cotton rots over time. Reins may have cotton rope as the core, which is subject to rot. This could be a determining factor in purchasing. Each piece is judged on its own merits and may be restored. Check with western appraisal businesses for current prices. See the Restoration link on this web page for more information.

It is important to note that hitched horsehair is not the same as braided horsehair. Hitched horsehair is a series of knots with horse tail hair; braiding is, well, braided (think a child's hair). Hitched horsehair will last generations, while braiding does not have the same lasting stability. Hitched horsehair is a functional art form meant to leave as part of your legacy.

Old Pieces: Appraisals, Buy & Sell: These businesses are experts at performing these services. We have met them all, and do restoration work for all of them. They're in alphabetical order.

1. Antiques of the Old West, Elmer & Jan Diederich, P.O. Box 756, Big Timber, MT 59011; 406-932-7787; website: www.elmerdiederich.com; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. Fighting Bear Antiques, Terry & Claudia Winchell, P.O. Box 3790, Jackson, WY 83001; 307-733-2669; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Their store is located at 375 South Cache, Jackson, WY.

3. High Noon, Joseph & Linda Sherwood, 9929 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90034; 310-202-9010; website: www.highnoon.com; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shoni & Stetson (yep, the hat company...):

There's a new show in the western world. Women Who Design the West premieres in Cody, Wyoming, September 2010. It's an exclusive exhibition featuring women who design and create western craft. And Shoni has been invited to the show.

Stetson has endorsed Women Who Design the West and will be inducting each craftswoman into the Stetson Craftsman's Alliance. The mission of the alliance is to recognize and honor excellence across western craft disciplines.

Thea Marx has worked with Stetson for several years on this project. Thea also directs Style West, held at the same time. Both shows open, free to the public, at noon on Thursday and Friday, September 23-24, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 25. The event closes daily at 6 p.m.

Website: www.womenwhodesignthewest.wordpress.com.

Upcoming Classes: We are always open to one-on-one three day workshops, taking up to two students at a time in our studio at Kettle Falls, Washington. Check the "Instruction" page of this website for more information.

Montana Academy of Living History: We will present two sessions on hitched horsehair in Deer Lodge, Montana, September 16-17, 2010.

First session: Find out what hitched horsehair is, a general description of how it is done, and display of finished products. This is an overview discussion. A question and answer period will be at the end of the session. This is September 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; fee of $10.00.

The second session is an accelerated how-to and hands-on for beginners. Students will make a hitched horsehair key fob, having hands on experience with making pulls, the two knots used in hitching, and understanding drop, add, and standing pulls. The six row diamond, the basis for all geometric patterns will be hitched, but not completed due to time constraints. Class is limited to ten students. Please bring small scissors and a ruler. We recommend that people taking the how-to, hands-on session also attend the two hour overview session on Thursday. This session is September 17, 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information and to register: www.academyoflivinghistory.com; or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Or call the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, phone number 406-846-3111.