Thank you for exploring my Horse Hair Necklace site. My name is Darice Blocker-Ragan (aka Ponytale) and I am the jewelry designer - artist. I live in East Tennessee at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains on a small ranch with my husband and two children. The other residents of Saddle Ridge Ranch are my horses (of course), Rat Terriers, cats and a bird.

Where did the name Ponytale come from? Since high school, I always wore my hair in a ponytail while participating in sporting events. I was dubbed "ponytail" beause of my 'do'. I liked it and kept it, and maybe it was meant to be, since now I make jewelry from a pony tail. I opted to go with 'tale' as I feel every horse has a story.

How did you get started? One day while organizing my art studio, I found a baggy with hair I had clipped from my quarterhorse, Rusty. I thought it would be a shame to throw it away now. I had it this long, why not make something of it. But what? I started experimenting with Rusty's hair and came up with some beautiful small pieces. But I wanted to wear it in a visible manner for the world to see. Then a little voice told me what to do with it, "lace it around your neck". Yes, of course, a Neck Lace.

I researched horse hair jewelry and most items I found didn't look like horse hair. The hair was 'hitched". Although I admire the tedious work of the hitchers, and they certainly have a following, I wanted something the lay person would notice and say "isn't that horse hair?" Plus, I wanted to incorporate some flair and sophistication into the hair with beautiful shiny beads and other interesting materials.

Next, remembering I'd saved some long hair strands from my Andalusian, I went to work with it. I showed friends and family my creation. They loved the necklace so much they wanted one AND encouraged me to offer them for sale to the public. That's how it all started.

Are you a HorseWoman? ABSOLUTELY! Trail Riding is my therapy. I also participate in parades. I love designing costumes for the horse and rider. I also like to orchestrate riding to music for theatrical entertainment.