>>> Karen, can you give a detailed account on how to make a flywhisk maybe even with pictures.
I think I have some pics somewhere, but my handiwork isn't exactly an art form - I'm sure others can do MUCH better. :) Basically, take a 20-24" riding crop - you can usually find them for $4-6, maybe cheaper - no special crop needed. Cut whatever tail hair your horse can spare - 8" is probably enough, but more might be better. Before I cut, I usually put a rubber band or scrunchy around the tail and cut just above. I then put several small rubber bands around that top end, so I can remove the scrunchy. Then - my secret tool - duct tape! I keep some black or white duct tape around, because it's not so blinding as the silver (but hey, if you're into "bling"...) I then attach the tail hair to the crop with another rubber band or two, then duct tape away. Duct tape is remarkably durable, and about 3-4 wraps will do the trick. I have a couple of flywhisks that are about 3 years old, and I just recently refreshed the duct tape. I don't normally make mine so that the hair is as long or thick as the purchased ones, but they work just as well. You've probably noticed in my pictures that I have one hanging on about all of our saddles. They come in handy for wiping out spider webs, etc. too. One warning - be sure your horses are accustomed to them before you start waving them at flies. I couldn't figure out why Gracie seemed sensitive at first to one of my homemade ones when we'd used one of the purchased ones for a while. Then it hit me - that one probably still smelled like Holly, and Holly has been Gracie's lead mare since she was about eight months old. She learned at an early age to step back and say, "yes ma'am!" when she saw Holly's tail in her face... :) In other words, this is about as simple a project as you can imagine. The very first one I made is still in operation, so I never bothered to refine my initial design. I'm sure someone could figure out how to braid the end with leather or something to make them look really nice, but I'm ok with duct tape...as long as it's not SILVER duct tape! :) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
