Need a mane and tail for a rocking horse?
Try 3/4" soft nylon rope. I picked this up at
Home Depot for 91 cents a foot.

Determine the length needed for the
mane and add an inch or so. Cut the rope
off and unravel into thin strands.

Cut sections of 1/4" heat shrink tubing
into about 3/4" strips and slip 4 strands
of the rope into it.

Using a lighter, shrink the tubing
around the strands. Keep the flame on
the tubing so you don't melt the rope
strands. After it cools down, cut across
the tubing leaving about 1/4" on the
mane end.

Put a drop of super glue (CA) on the
cut end of the mane section. Allow
glue to dry for a few minutes. Drill
3/16" holes, about 3/8" deep and
about 1/8"-3/16" apart down the back
edge of the horses neck.

Put a couple drops of CA in one of
the holes and stick the glued mane
end into the hole. After all mane
sections are glued in, seperate the
strands so you have 2 on each side
and unravel the strands. Trim length
as desired.

For the tail, use a length of the full size rope. Slide a piece of 1"
heat shrink tubing over the end of the rope and shrink it. After it
cools off, cut it off leaving about 1/2" of the tubing on the end of
the tail. Put several drops of CA on the cut end to seal and bind all
the strands together. Let tail dry for about 15 minutes to insure it
stays together and does not get stuck to your fingers. LOL Drill a
3/4" hole, about 5/8" deep with a Forstner bit in the desired location
for the tail. Put 6-8 drops of CA in the hole and insert tail quickly.