Pony Hair: What You Need to Know

Pony hair is most commonly made from cow or goat hides, using the hair side of the animal. The hides are shaved so that the hair comes to resemble that of a horse hide. In this way, the name pony hair simply refers to the look of the pelt and no real ponies are involved in its manufacture. Pony hair is also commonly referred to as hair-calf, calf-hair or hair-on-leather, but the fashion industry uses the term 'pony hair' because it sounds a little bit sexier. 

Pony hair is considered to be a 'pelt', in the same manner as fur, however, since it is usually taken from cows it is not considered to be an exotic leather. Pony hair is usually more expensive than the average leather due the material's higher-than-average finishing and manufacturing costs. 

Pony hair is relatively easy to look after, and it is water resistant thanks to the epidermal layer of hide (similar to full-grain leather). You don't have to worry too much about getting it wet, but you should consider how pony hair will wear over time. When pony hair rubs against another surface (your arm / hip / belt etc.) it causes the hair to slowly but surely shed, and eventually this can lead to the formation of bald patches. There is no set amount of time that it takes for shedding and balding to occur, this depends entirely upon the quality of the pony hair and the way in which you use it.

It is also important to be careful when wearing pony hair accessories with delicate fabrics, such as silk or chiffon, because the strands of hair might be dense enough to cause snags. This will not be the case with all types of pony hair, but it is definitely worth considering when putting together an outfit.

To look after pony hair you should regularly and gently brush the hair (in the same direction it naturally grows). This will help to remove the buildup of dirt and will help prevent longer pony hair from becoming matted. If a brush feels too harsh then you can use a soft, dry cloth or damp cloth. When considering where to store items made from pony hair, you should treat them like you would other leather goods and keep them somewhere out of direct sunlight that isn't too cool or too warm.