The craft of hitching horsehair into colorful belts, hat bands and horse bridles flourished in the prison systems among 12 western states in 1885-1920's.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Charlie Russell, the famous western artist, wrote about men down at Deer Lodge “twistin hairs”.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In hitching, a series of horsehair pulls, or strands, is knotted over a string that is wound around a wooden dowel. The dowel provides something sturdy to hitch over and provides shape for the item to be hitched — usually in geometric patterns based on a diamond shape.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As inmates came and went from prison, hitching cycled in and out, to the extent of being almost a lost art.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The elaborate barter system inside prison walls included knowledge on how to hitch horsehair. Some inmates have paid the equivalent of up to $1,000 to learn. This price could include the student making 3,000 pulls for the teacher before hitching lessons even began.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Prison hobby programs have changed since the 1800’s territorial prisons. But the purpose has remained the same. Allowing hobby keeps the inmates busy, find purpose, and create something beautiful.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Today craft is kept alive in the Deer Lodge, Montana State Prison.