.A postcard postmarked 1938 showing braided locks on an Angora goat in Del Rio, Texas.
The Diamond Fiber
What makes mohair so unique that, 125 years after it was first introduced to cowboys, mohair cinches continue to dominate western tack catalogs? What is it about this natural fiber that has inspired generations of horse people to become custom cinch makers?
The reasons are evident—
• Durability, resilience, and strength
• Resistance to soiling and easy to clean
• Exceptionally soft, thermoregulating, and breathable—factors that contribute to the comfort of the horse and enhance performance
• Luxurious to the touch, lustre, and high affinity to dyes
The number of books and research papers written about mohair is staggering. We're not the only ones who love this incredible fiber. When asked if we ever get tired of mohair, the answer is always the same: "Never!"
Mohair is indeed "The Diamond Fiber."
Angora goat farming in its early stages in Highland, South Dakota. Image date unknown. Postcard postmarked 1907.
The Early Days
Up to about 1875 there were in America eight or ten herds of Angora goats, averaging about hundred each, but their commercial importance does not appear to have been fully realized until some few years later, about the time when Turkey prohibited exportation, and when Cape Colony followed suit with a tax meant to be prohibitory. The result was that for about fifteen years no Angora goats were imported. (Excerpt from "The Angora Goat in America" by Mary H. O'Connor originally published in the Junior Munsey, September 1901).
So, when did America's cowboys first discover the wonders of mohair? It's difficult to determine precisely, but based on the history above, a reasonable estimate would be the early 1900s.
Before mohair was used for horse cinches, cowboys relied on what was readily available: rawhide, horsehair, cotton, and linen—a far cry from the soft yet durable mohair. These cinches are documented in tack catalogs from that era.Could the silky hair of the curly-coated Angora goat, historically used in rugs, upholstery, and even woolly chaps, provide a solution to some problems associated with a sore, cinchy horse? One can only imagine a cowboy's excitement upon discovering the benefits this exotic cinch fiber offers.
Mohair's Importance in the 21st Century
Mohair has proven to be a valuable fiber that we believe belongs in every rider's tack room. When a mohair cinch or girth is properly made by skilled craftsmen, using only the best fiber and hardware, and designed with the horse's anatomy and saddle rigging in mind, there is no reason a mohair string cinch won't work.
Equally important is that the cinch be cleaned regularly of sweat and debris to allow the fiber to do its job. This is a simple task involving gentle hand washing with only water to prevent any soap residue from remaining, which could irritate a horse's skin or damage the fiber. Mohair should be kept safe from rodents, moths, and teething puppies, as well as spurs and stirrups with sharp edges. Other than that, mohair is relatively easy to care for.
Fads tend to come and go in the horse world. We've definitely seen a variety of them with cinches—everything from neoprene and bamboo to webbing, felt, and even those marketed as mohair, which are mostly made of synthetic materials. But through all these trends, one thing remains constant: pure MOHAIR continues to be a trusted choice that’s here to stay.
Saddle and girth images from Moseman's Illustrated Guide for Purchasers of Horse Furnishing Goods, 1889. C.M. Moseman and Brother. Published in New York, New York by E.D. Croker & Son. Usage Public Domain Mark 1.0.
