Daughter-in-love Emily and the girls were visiting the James K. Polk home and museum in Columbia, Tennessee when she texted me this photo of Pony Pals Kate and Susie.
I did not know much about horse hair in upholstery fabric so I did a little research. It has been used for centuries but was especially popular during the 19th century when James Polk was President of the United States. The hair comes from the manes and tails of living and deceased horses and is woven with cotton or silk.
It's used rarely if at all anymore as it has been replaced by polyester fibers. As one article stated, "Horse hair is no longer used in furniture for the same reason that automobiles replaced horse drawn carts. Something better came along."
Actually, I'm kind of glad that it isn't used much any more - it's not not my cuppa hot chocolate.
