I won’t deny it. The last few months have been tough. Zelda was a big personality and one of the most fun horses I’ve ever owned, and I’ve missed her terribly. It’s the primary reason why I haven’t been blogging, although Finn is turning into a sweet, mischievous boy with whom I’m sure I’ll have great adventures.
Although I cut hair from Zelda’s tail, I’ve never felt like making it into jewelry. I might, someday, although I’ve never opened the box that holds Kroni’s tail hair and he died in 2008! I’m much happier with the bracelet my friend Lindsay had made when I retired Freedom as I can wear it knowing he’s happy in his retirement in Virginia.
About two weeks ago, I came across something perfect: a custom horse head and blaze pendant from the Etsy Shop KoreyEBurns. Zelda had a very distinctive blaze that always made me think of Dr. Seuss’s Thing 1 and Thing 2. The hand-cut horse head is made from either 18g brass, copper, or silver sheet metal. With a customized silver blaze soldered to the horse head tag. This piece is hand-sanded and finished with a patina. Korey sent me a proof of the blaze the same day I ordered the pendant and I had it in about a week.
Of course, this design only works for a horse that has a blaze, but what a wonderful way to celebrate your horse’s unique look. Too bad that Kroni, Freedom and now Finn, have no white on their faces (Finn has a tiny snip, but you have to look hard).
How have you commemorated a horse you have lost — or one that you want to celebrate while they are still with you? I know that many people love their horse hair jewelry and I wish I’d had Zelda’s tail hair made into something while she was still alive. I thought about it, but of course, thought I had more time.