Windstorm Ranch

                             Keeping the Spirit Alive!

                       Hitched Horsehair Tack 

The finest hitching over quality leather combine to make truly unique & durable products for your horse. Not just for show, but durable enough for every day. The integrity of the leather is not interrupted by sewn-in sections, rather the hitching, is crafted over the leather for superb strength & wear-ability.

"Hitching" with horsehair involves making stitches similar to half-hitch knots in a concentric arrangement on a wooden or wire dowel. This technique is the method for making the exciting geometric designs.
 

Hitched Cross-tie Headstall, our most popular, offered in show stopping bright colors. Top to Bottom: Snake, T-Bird 2, Rodeo Special & Kemo Sabe.

Hitched Brow-band, Pattern F, K2, Y, Snake & Rodeo Special

CH4418 Deluxe Hitched Headstall, When money is no object, there's the Deluxe Headstall, available in all the hitched patterns, please allow 90 days for production. $475.

CH4420 Deluxe Hitched Romel $410.

Our collection of Hitched Horsehair Tack is second to none. We offer over 30 patterns that are expertly applied to each tack piece. The finest saddle tan bridle leather is paired with hand hitched patterns. Please allow 90 days for production.

Hitched Set: C Pattern

Hitched Headstall & Noseband shown in C Pattern

CH4408 Hitched Set in Pattern "C", shown w/ Cross-tie Headstall, Breast-collar, Noseband & Reins $550.

CH4408 Hitched Set shown in pattern "X", w/ Conchos, Bell Tassel trim, overstitching on leather, Headstall, Breast-collar, Noseband & Reins $550.

CH4410 Hitched Headstall, shown in the Rodeo Pattern. $145.

CH4410 One Ear, Crosstie or Brow-band $145.

CH4412Hitched Nosebands: Shown in Pattern G1 and C  $125.

CH4414 Hitched Reins, Split or Roping, shown in the X pattern. $125.

CH4416 Hitched Breast-collar, shown in the Rodeo Pattern $175.

CH4412 Hitched Noseband, $125.  shown in Rodeo Special Pattern.

Product Care

Leather billets can be treated with saddle soap or a neutral colored shoe polish.  For silver trim, it is best to use one of the many available silver cleaners; silver polishing cloths are very convenient and prevent liquid polish from getting on the braids or leather trims.  The horsehair can be cleaned with a damp cloth and some hand soap.

Horsehair tends to have a "strong memory" unless it is moistened. Misshapen braids can be straightened by dampening the horsehair with a wet cloth and allowed to dry. Once dry it will retain its new shape. The hair should not be soaked-- particularly not the "strong" colors such as turquoise, red and blue since the vegetable dyes can run and stain adjacent braids.  Loose hairs sticking out of a braid can be clipped off carefully using nail clippers without affecting the integrity of the braid in question.

History of Horsehair

For centuries, master craftsmen in cultures throughout the world have woven fine horsehair into pieces of art. From the traditional Korean wedding garb, to the peasant wear of Bronze Age Celtics, to the "devil's violin" used since the middle ages in the Kaszenby region on the Baltic Sea, horsehair has stood the test of time for its natural beauty and ability to withstand the elements. This tradition was brought to the raw plains of America with the waves of early immigrants who marveled as they settled into the majestic mountains of Colorado.

While the common use of horsehair has dwindled and has almost been forgotten over time, it is rumored that its survival may be attributed to the work of prisoners who had the time to whittle away at the intricate art of braiding horsehair into belts, horse tack and other products.

Your belt size equals your waist size (determined by a tape measure around the waist, not too snug) such as that of a proper fitting pair of jeans. If the size of the blue jeans is a 34, then the proper size from us would be a 34.
Our belts have 5 holes and the belt is sized to the center hole. Each hole away from the center is 1/2" larger or smaller for changes in waist size. But, the proper place to start is the center hole. Most of our belts are offered in even sizes. We suggest that those with uneven waist measurements select the next higher even size. For example a 31" waist would select a size 32 belt.
 

Hitched Patterns

Our hitched pattern selection is unparalleled in the industry! These are the patterns we offer for our hitched products. Please e-mail the Ranch & tell us which pattern you want.

(dbl click to enlarge)

Our Newest Patterns

Listed Top to Bottom

A, B1, B2, C, D1 & D2

E, F, G1, G2, H1 & H2

I, J, K1, K2, L & M1

M2, N, O, P, Q & R

S, T & U

X, Y & Z