Long
hair is not just for humans
Throughout human history long hair has been a desirable and
much sort after quality. Most people cannot grow their longer
than their lower backs, but there are a few individuals who can
grow their hair to the floor. Until quite recently such individuals
could make a quite successful living on the circus and side show
circuit displaying their exceptionally long hair. The reason why
humans are able grow such long scalp hair is open to question.
There doesn’t seem to be any obvious biological advantage
to growing hair so long. While it may be important to grow some
hair on the scalp to protect the head from sunlight and to keep
the brain warm, growing hair beyond shoulder length doesn’t
seem to be particularly useful. It might be that long hair was
used as an indicator of health when it came to finding a mate,
but more usually, hair coat quality and luster is important in
attracting a mate, not so much the length of the hair. Studies
on lions and their manes have confirmed this. Females look for
healthy manes on males, but mane length is not important. Perhaps
as humans have/had no real predators we have/had the “luxury” to
produce long hair even though it confers no significant biological
advantage.
Long hair isn’t just seen in humans. Long hair can be found
in a number of animals, but usually these animals are domesticated
and specially bred to produce long hair either for esthetic appeal
or for commercial use. For example, merino sheep are bred to produce
a long (and fine) wool coat. If it is not shorn regularly the
coat builds into an excessive covering. The sheep can end up looking
like puff balls on legs if neglected. But in the wild, a truly
long hair coat can be a disadvantage. The hair can cover the eyes
and reduce sight. It can overheat the animal in a hot weather
zone. It can be heavy enough to slow the animal down and reduce
their chances of escape from their natural predators. Indeed,
long hair can make it easier for predators to grab hold and pull
down their long haired prey. In the “wild” long hair
is the almost exclusive domain of humans – but not quite.
This is a legend of wild horses in Oregon with exceptionally
long manes and tails. Eventually, some of these horses were captured
and bred as circus horses. The wild population died out long ago
and the captive bred horse lineage also seems to be been lost.
Back in the 1880s though, these horses were a popular side show
and circus attraction that made a lot of money for their owners.
The most famous of the long haired horses was “Linus” (actually
there were two linuses). A leaflet from the Nineteenth century
tells the story below.
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Madam
Milo "queen of hair"
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The
story of the long haired Oregon horses
According to a contemporary promotional leaflet
of the day, so the story goes …
“In the early history of Oregon traditions of a herd of
magnificent wild horses that roamed at will over her mountains
and valleys were told the settlers, and, like many other tales
of like character, seemed beyond belief. It was said this herd
was led by an enormous chestnut stallion, whose mane and tail
were so abundant and of such length as to almost envelop the entire
animal in a wealth of flowing hair. For years this" Wild
King of Oregon Wonder Horses" roamed over the country, ever
alert to stampede his followers and flee with almost the rapidity
of the wind at the approach of a human being. So subtile was this
wild leader of his race that it was only at rare intervals that
the best hunters were able to even secure at a distance a glimpse
of these marvelous equines. Frequent hunts were inaugurated by
those who had heard of the surpassing beauty of these horses for
the purpose of capturing them to be placed in subjection and used
for improving the breeding of the settlers' horses; but, though
all the advantage that the intelligent hunter could command was
brought to bear, added to which were large rewards for the capture
of the magnificent leader, or some representative member of the
herd, for years the intuitive cunning of this remarkably intelligent
horse rendered his capture, or that of his followers, impossible,
though for some unaccountable reason there was no apparent increase
in the herd, which was later accounted for, as this wild king
would brook no rival, and killed every male born to his equine
harem.
Surrounded by his bevy of beautiful mares, who, like him, possessed
in a marked degree the hirsute adornments that caused the settlers
to seek their capture, this" uncrowned king" of the
Pacific Slope continued to evade civilization until his demise,
leaving sixteen beautiful mares to mourn their lifelong protector,
but with apparently no means of perpetuating the race. Many, in
fact most, of these mares were aged, for they, too, had followed
the footsteps of their leader and fought among themselves for
supremacy to such an extent that only such rivals as were imbued
by nature with extraordinary powers of endurance were enabled
to rear their female young; and possibly none would have survived
but for the probable interference of the "wild old king," who
saw in this bitter war of extermination the loss of opportunity
to surround himself with the choicest of equine beauty, and so
in a few instances must have insisted on allowing some "to
live. At all events, of the sixteen mares but one was ever captured
that was possible to breed, and she possessed extraordinary powers
for perpetuating the peculiarities of her race, for, as shown
in the second, third and fourth descent, all the leading characteristics
of this marvelous mare are not only found, but in each instance
strengthened and increased by careful breeding, so that now the "Oregon
Wonder Horses" have become in captivity what they were in
their wild state, a distinct and beautiful breed, exhibiting to
a high degree the intelligence that enabled them to retain their
liberty for so many years while pursued and eagerly hunted by
the most famed scouts, cowboys and hunters the great West could
command.
The capture of "Oregon Queen," the youngest surviving
mare of the wild herd, was hailed with pleasure by those interested
in improving the breeding of horses, both in Oregon and the entire
Pacific Coast (for their fame was widespread), and when it became
known that the "Queen" was to bear a foal by the old
leader of the herd, offers of fabulously large amounts were made
in advance of its birth for the offspring; but all were refused
by Messrs. Rutherford, who had, by early purchase from the captors,
secured the much-coveted prize.
In the early spring of 1870 "Oregon Queen" became the
dam of "Oregon Beauty," the first of the Wonder Horses
born in captivity. This filly was treated with the utmost care,
and soon developed into a marvel of beauty (hence her name); and
when five years old, and after the birth of her first colt (Linus),
was placed on exhibition, and proved one of the greatest drawing
cards for fairs and museums ever known, until her death at Coney
Island, where she was killed by lightning in the summer of 1887.
Happily Linus, her son, who not only resembled his dam, but possessed
even a greater development of tail and mane, was able to succeed
her as one of the most attractive exhibition animals ever placed
before the public
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Linus
II showing his double mane and long tail
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Linus was sold in 1890 to Messrs. Eaton Brothers, of Boston,
for $30,000, and proved a splendid paying exhibition property
for several years, so much so that $60,000 was refused for him
by his owners, who retained possession of him until his death
in 1894.
In the meantime, by careful and judicious breeding extending
over a period of twenty-five years from the capture of the first
mare, the Messrs. Rutherford have succeeded in establishing this
breed of "Wonder Horses" on a secure foundation; and,
though guarding with utmost jealousy all the progeny, they carefully
continued their line of breeding until they possess to-day absolute
control of a distinct breed of horses, the like of which has never
been seen in all the world, nor will it ever be reproduced, since the wild origin is
now extinct.
The" Wonder Horses" of Oregon are remarkable for the
great growth of hair in mane and tail, which for length and thickness
is not equaled in the world; and since these horses have been
bred in captivity this growth of beautiful silken hair has increased
with each generation, as will be seen from a comparison of the
photographs contained herein. The wonderful endurance and intelligence
of this breed of equines is at once apparent to anyone familiar
with horses; and now that all trace of the wild nature has bowed
to the gentle care and treatment meted out to these animals, they
exhibit the utmost gentleness and court the attention of those
who come near them. Another remarkable characteristic of this
truly wonderful breed of horses is their color, all of them being
rich chestnuts, which goes far to prove them a distinct breed,
able, by reason of their thoroughbred origin, to perpetuate their
blood from generation to generation.' No doubt the "Oregon
Wonder Horses" are the truest descendents of the first horses
brought to America by Cortez, the conquerer of Mexico. Probably
some' escaped at that early period and established this breed
hundreds of years ago remaining wild and uncaptured.
Linus II. is pronounced by eminent horsemen as the most perfect
type of equine beauty in the world, and his proud bearing adds
much to his natural grandeur, for he carries himself as a worthy
successor of his wild old ancestor, the King of Oregon Wonder
Horses, in whose place he now stands as leader of his race.”
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