They say a “once in a lifetime” horse stays with you forever. So what better way to remember that special horse than to always have a part of him or her with you.

Lou Petty, of Ocala, Florida,  has been involved in the horse industry for 31 years and has had more than one “special” horse in her life. Her family owned, such American Quarter Horse Association greats as Certain Potential and A Certain Vino. During the time she and her family were involved in the show world they won 23 World Championships in Open, Amateur and Youth events. She has shown 41 different horses in nine different classes over the last 31 years.

Petty knows first hand the emotional mark an equine partner can stamp on the heart and, about 10 years ago, she came up with the idea to create jewelry that served as a constant reminder of that bond between horse and owner.

“I began making pins that you would wear on the collar of your western tailored show shirt. From there I had someone ask me if I had ever tried anything with horse hair as she wanted a pin made with horse hair,” she explains. “After that I began making necklaces using horse hair and then in 2003 I offered to make my friend, Carol Harris of Florida, a piece after her AQHA stallion Rugged Lark died.”

In the process, Petty created an eight-piece braid design and presented her design to Harris.

Harris was so delighted she encouraged Petty to continue making the memorial pieces and Petty has been very busy coming up with unique creations ever since.

“I still wear the piece she made me a great deal,” Harris says. “Even though nine years have passed, it still has great meaning to me. I never thought of saving his tail for memorabilia but Lou is so thoughtful and creative that way.”

Every piece Petty creates is unique – no two pieces are ever the same. She prides herself in her ability to make each

design as individual as the horse that is being commemorated.

Petty even began doing her own silversmithing a while back so that she can create the silver pieces to go onto the jewelry herself. She can customize using beads with names or do any kind of silver work a customer can imagine. She also specializes in peyote beading, giving her the ability to create any color scheme a client could request for an individual piece of jewelry.

“I want my work to be different than any other artists,”Petty insists. “I have my own specific braid design that I feel sets me apart. I actually don’t even look at someone else’s work as I don’t want to be influenced in any way. I make each piece with the customers’ individual stories in mind so they comes out as unique as the love they have for their animal.”

Her unique approach has earned Petty an award from the Webber Art Museum at The College of Central Florida for a bronze pendant horse hair necklace she made. Her services are in high demand.

She was also featured in the Ocala Style Magazine in May 2013 as an artist in the publication’s Craft Women section.

When setting out to start a creation it is important to Petty to establish a connection with her customer and their story in order to create a one of kind design. She has completed horse hair jewelry for every breed and event you can imagine from race horses to dressage and three day eventers to even trick horses.

“It has broadened my horizons, to say the least, hearing each person’s story about their horse,” she says. “The love for these animals runs deep.”

Petty begins each piece of jewelry with a 28-inch long piece of hair about the thickness of your little finger. If a client cannot get that much hair then Petty can match hair to it so they too can be able to have whatever piece they would like made. The hair is washed, braided, and embellished. The process can take between four and 15 hours to complete.

“These pieces are very durable,” she explains. “You can ride, shower, swim, garden – basically do all your normal activities.”

Jewelry prices can range from $75 for smaller items to bracelets and necklaces starting at $250 and up.

You can find more information at www.loupetty.com or on her Petty’s Facebook page. Due to demand Lou is about three to four weeks out on orders.