How to Tame an Unruley Horsehair Sporran

**Taygrd** · 10th November 10, 05:30 PM

I have a older horsehair sporran that was stored improperly and now the some of the hair is kinked and curly. Does steam straighten it out or is the a better method? Help!

**artificer** · 10th November 10, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by Taygrd

I have a older horsehair sporran that was stored improperly and now the some of the hair is kinked and curly. Does steam straighten it out or is the a better method? Help!

I wouldn't steam. Try a light mist of water to moisten the hair, then press it flat under something heavy.

**Taygrd** · 10th November 10, 06:32 PM

Thank you Sir! I will try that. I have to admit that I am the guilty party who stored it wrong

**artificer** · 10th November 10, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Taygrd

Thank you Sir! I will try that. I have to admit that I am the guilty party who stored it wrong

BTW: Depending on how old it is, you DON'T want the top of the hair (where it's stitched/glued) to get wet.

**Cygnus** · 10th November 10, 08:12 PM

Everything I've read about the care and maintenance of hair sporrans say that you treat them the same way as your own hair (with the exception of not getting the adhesive or bag wet - though if your hair is being held on with glue, you probably shouldn't get it wet).

Because of this, I'd think you could probably use a straightener on the LOW setting to carefully work them out. I wouldn't go any higher than low, though, because too much heat will damage the hair.*

You might also try giving it a careful shampoo and conditioning, followed by a good combing.

* I'd get a second opinion on this before actually trying it!

**Bugbear** · 10th November 10, 08:30 PM

What you need is a sporran whisperer.

Reminds me of when a horse hair glaze brush gets bent out of shape in a tool box.

**Tobus** · 11th November 10, 04:33 AM

Hair is dead, even when it's on your head or a horse's head/tail. So you can treat the hair on the sporran like you would any other hair.

With that said, horse hair is much thicker than human hair, so you won't necessarily get the exact same results using human hair products.

I know that when my horses get twists and tangles in their manes and tails, the best product I've found for de-tangling and smoothing everything out is Cowboy Magic (and it's labeled for both human hair and horse hair). I've been able to get out tangles that were tighter than dreadlocks with Cowboy Magic, and it makes the hair 'slick' so it can be pulled and combed easier. I always keep some in my barn. Without it, I would have had to just cut my horses' manes or tails completely off.