I wonder why they never really "caught" on in the wet shaving forum world. I like my Vie-Long butterscotch.

Anthrax bacteria. If I recall the details, during WW1 supply chains got interrupted so alternative sources of horse hair was used. Some of it wasn't properly sterilized. A U.S. Federal employee (maybe a Senator?) died. Also some less well know common citizens caught the disease. This was before antibiotics so there wasn't much in the way of a cure. That's why you see early 1900's brushes marked "Sterilized". Even today anthrax is present in the soil and can be spread by horses, but it's not the epidemic issue of the early 1900's.

Well then, issue them to Congress!

Probably because the vast majority prefer badger and boar. Horse is very scratchy.

The one true horse knot I had became very tangled upon first use. It was a pain to detangle.

I use the bestshave #6 horse hair brush..There is debate about it being horse or boar, but ether way the price is right and mine has worked very well for me for many years. I liked it enough and it was inexpensive enough to order several so I would have spares.

Also mine has never tangled..

You cannot make circling motions with a horse because they tangle up that way. Only straight motions.

You can do circular motions if you comb out the knot every shave or two

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The only horse hair brush that I own is the Cremo Vie Long that I acquired at Target a few years ago. It was on clearance.

Though I don't use it as much as my other (boar and badger) brushes, I do NOT baby this brush.

I mostly face lather. And I swirl, paint and pump with this brush, just like my others. It works fine. I DO however use a comb to detangle before putting it away.

It is relatively small (short hair) knot, so maybe that helps. But I think it does a fine job and produces good lather.

I just like the feel or boar or badger better.

YMMV.

I have and use a Vie-Long 12705. While I prefer my badgers and boars, the horse hair brush whips up a ton of lather and I've never had it tangle up and I certainly don't baby it.

I do find it a bit too soft and too floppy but it does the job.