P.E.I. hobby farm owner is 'mind-blown' after someone cut off half her horses' tail hair

A western P.E.I. hobby farmer is warning other horse owners to be vigilant aftersomeone snuck onto herproperty and chopped hair from her horses' tails.

Brandi Leveque lives on a smallfarm in Union, near Alberton, with her mother and daughter.

Earlier this week, the family noticed three of their horses thoroughbreds Ellpo and Earl and a mini named Dora each had about half the length of their tail hair cut off.

"First we thought maybe they had gotten their tail stuck somewhere, so we tracked the pasture, looked everywhere. We honestly didn't find a trace of hair anywhere," Leveque said.

"We think that somebody came in and cut the horses' tails. There is no other explanation as to why half of their tails are missing."

Leveque said neighbours noticed a truck's taillights on the hobby farmthis past weekend, and part of the electric fence surrounding the field was also broken.

Thieves cut off horses' tails on P.E.I. hobby farm

2 months ago

Duration 2:26

A few horses on a hobby farm near Alberton, P.E.I. got an involuntary haircut when someone snuck in and cut off more than half of the animals' tail hair. CBC's Sheehan Desjardins speaks with the horses' owner Brandi Leveque about what happened, why tail hair is important and how it can take years to grow back.

The family reported the incident to the RCMP, who are now investigating and asking for tips from the public about who could be responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prince District detachment or Crime Stoppers.

While the theft is unsettling in itself, missing so much hair can also be uncomfortable for the animals.

Horses use their tails to swish away insects like deer flies that can deliver painful bites. They also use their tails to keep themselves cool in hot weather and as a form of communication with each other.

For now, Leveque found a makeshift solution by braiding colourful bailer twine into the horses' tails, but that only lasts for a few days at the most and some horses' hair can take years to grow back.

"It's awful for them. It's put them in a position where they can't protect themselves without human assistance," Leveque said. "Every couple days we come out, double check their tails, make sure they're OK, rebraid them if they need to be braided.

"They just have to go through turmoil, basically, waiting for their tail to grow."

Wait, whysteal horsehair?

As for what someone would do with stolen horsehair, similar thefts have been reported from all over North America in recent decades.

Authorities elsewhere have speculated that the uses could include wigs and hair extensions for both people and show horses.

Some artisans braid horsehair to create jewelry. Others use it to reinforce pottery and weave baskets, as well as to craft fishing lures.

Historically, it was used to make paintbrushes, fabric, and stuffing for upholstered furniture, and has also been mixed into plaster to make walls stronger.

On a musical note, horsehair is used in bows for string instruments.

'Be prepared for it to happen'

As for this case, Leveque has no guesses as to the culprits' motivation.

"We honestly don't know," she said. "We are mind-blown that this has even happened."

In the meantime, she'll be installing security cameras around the hobby farm and advises other Island horse owners to do the same.

"I just want everybody to be aware that this is actually happening. If it's not this farm, it could be the next farm," Leveque said."Get cameras, be prepared for it to happen."