Iowa Thief Arrested for Stealing Horse Manes and Tails

Paul Eugene Condit, 55, was arrested on July 5, 2011 by the Sheriff's Department of Buena Vista County, Iowa for three thefts of horses' manes and tails. Over 25 horses had their manes and tails pilfered since 2008. The Sheriff's Department is trying to connect Condit to the other incidents. He's been charged with two counts of burglary and a Class D felony. His bail is set at $10,000.

Where Are the Tracks?

Condit allegedly snuck up to the horses in their pastures or stalls and hacked off long manes and tails, but left the rest of the animals' anatomy alone. However, police were puzzled that they could find no traces of tire tracks into or around the pastures and nop one saw any suspicious cars in the area. It turns out that Condit may have used a bike. It was his only known mode of transport for many years.

A search of Condit's apartment uncovered incriminating evidence, but just what exactly was discovered is being kept under wraps. He has been convicted for trespassing twice, in 2000 and in 2002. In 2001, he received a ticket for riding his bicycle in the dark without a headlamp.

Why Steal Horse Hair?

Horse manes and tails is hardly an original choice for theft. Back in the 1950s, movie cowboy Roy Rogers reported that a souvenir hunter stole the tail off of his palomino stallion Trigger. Trigger was apparently snoozing in his trailer while some still unknown thief made off with the long, snowy tail. It took Trigger more than year to grow it back. Condit is not suspected in this theft.

However, there is a market for horse hair '" regardless if the horse that grew it was in the movies or not. Like scrap metal, horse hair is often sold for cash, no questions asked. It's turned into violin bows or hair extensions for show horses or horses used in the movies. For example, the main horse that portrayed the Black Stallion in the 1979 hit movie, Cass Ole, wore black horse hair extensions. Horse hair can fetch anywhere from $40 to $200, depending on its color, notes M & M Turf Supply Company, a business that makes horse tail extensions.

However, it is unknown if Condit managed to sell any of the hair he stole.

References

The Horse. "Iowa Man Charged in Horse Hair Thefts." Pat Raia. July 6, 2011. http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18490

The Storm Lake Times. "Storm Lake bike rider charged for chopping off horse tails." Jake Curtz and Art Cullen. http://www.stormlake.com/topstory2.htm

Happy Trails. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jane and Michael Stern. Simon & Schuster; 1994.