
Horsehair Bridle
ca. 1900
36" x 8" x 8"
Objects, horsehair, metal, fiber
Region: Montana
36" x 8" x 8"
Objects, horsehair, metal, fiber
Region: Montana
Horse hair hitching was a craft passed from Indians to Mexicans and finally to Anglo prison inmats. This magnificent multi-colored horse hair bridle and reins were made in the Deer Lodge, Montana state penitentiary, circa 1900. A Complete bridle could take an inmate well over a year to make. around the turn of the century, it would sell for $35-$75. An inmate would often send the bridle back home for his fellow cowhands to raffle off in a local saloon with the proceeds going to the fellow's wife or mother.