Rhythm Beads

My name is Jessi Sullivan and I am entering my junior year of college.  I am making these beads to help with my college expenses and my mom is helping me sell them from her web site.. I already have one job but my heavy course load makes it very hard to take on a second job and still keep up my grades which I must do to keep the few scholarships that I have.

I have been a horsey girl all my life. My mom is a hoof care professional and also rescues and rehabilitates horses. I have helped her with our horses since I was big enough to hold a pitchfork!  I decided to make these to help pay for college, but I also love making them and love the idea that they will help horses and riders get in “rhythm” and relax.  

Here's a little info about the beads:

Rhythm Beads help develop confidence and rhythm in both horse and rider. The necklace hangs around your horse's neck just above where a breast collar goes and has bells whose slight jingles calm and relax both the horse and rider and are useful for alerting both wildlife and other riders that you are approaching while you are out on the trail.  The bells on the necklaces help eliminate arena and trail distractions. A formerly spooky horse on trail rides became a pleasure to ride. It is also a comfort when riding with children (or any other rider) - you can hear the calm ringing of the bells and you don't have to look around to know that they are fine.

The beads can be used to enhance a true rhythm. These beads can be used as a training tool to help horse and rider improve their rhythm together. You can feel and hear when your horse needs to step up it's gait or when you need to change your timing. You can also count strides by the sound of the bells alone. This works really well with green riders and helps them get with the horse's rhythm. 

Rhythm Beads are also a big favorite with riders of all disciplines. Some NBHA, Rodeo and 4H competitors say that their horses run harder and faster when wearing rhythm beads or “Speed Beads” as they call them. Dressage riders are now using them in the training ring! And, of course, younger riders like having different necklaces for different occasions and holidays!

Here are some examples of beads I have already made: I support our military. The style featured here is in honor of our troops who face hardship every day so I can have a chance to go to college among the many other liberties those brave men and women keep secure for me.


This is the Navy Emblem with a yellow ribbon charm. I also
make an Army, Marine and Air Force version. 
I am still looking for Coast Guard emblems I can use for a pendant
Just so you know, in this particular picture the beads are too big for this horse,
they hang down too far. This horse was serving as a model for the picture!

I can usually find crosses with no problem, maybe not this exact one, but one just as nice.
This looks like a cross, but its actually a sword, like a Knight's sword. Very cool looking on a draft.

This is hard to see but its a silver (not real silver) arrowhead. I now add silver feathers on either side of it when I make one like this. See below for that example.
This is one of several patriotic designs. The pendant is actually a large star-shaped bell!


I probably cannot get another pendant like these, but I put them up to show the brass bells and colors.
This is a patriotic design that features our beautiful flag!
Here's a side view:

I call this one "Guardian Angel" ...something we all need in all aspects of life. This Angel watches over you and your horse!
This one features a cross that reads
"With God all things are possible"

This design (above)  is  turquoise, pearl black and silver necklace with a Native American style. It actually has two silver feathers on BOTH sides of the arrowhead, but one is behind the other on the left (your left, not the horses)  in this picture. I didn't notice until I downloaded it!

I have made this design  with the arrowhead that has red, or black, or blue in the middle colored area.  Here's black:

These two above are a new design I'm trying with a horse hair tassel in the center of a heart shaped concho.

This handsome fellow is modeling the necklace to the right that proclaims "Each Day is a Gift from God"






This one says "I Believe in Angels"

This one features a central bell with a beautiful sound.
Here are some other examples... prices range from $20 to $30



Here are some new styles I have been playing with. The horsehair tassel/conchos on these are bigger and heavier (means they cost more!) So some of these will  price between $30 and $45 plus shipping.

My Rhythm Beads can be made for any sized horse -  a pony or draft, even for mini’s.

I make most  Rhythm beads with interesting things that I find for pendants. The upside is that few are reproduced exactly, making most of the beads I make originals. You are not likely to run into other horses with the exact same design out there on the trails! The downside is that if you see something you love, I may not be able to make one EXACTLY like it. All of my beads feature a quality pendant and are sturdy in their construction.

I will work with you to design something special for you and your horse. I have some cool and interesting things for the pendant part that are not shown here.  I can make them based on your particular passion, colors,  etc.  even if you are not sure what you want. If you tell me about your likes and dislikes and a bit about your horse, I can create something special for you.

Prices vary depending on the cost of what is on the necklace and of course time involved. Many are around $20 plus shipping.  The designs that have the horsehair are between $25 and $45 plus shipping.   Special, more expensive pendants raise the cost a bit more. If you have a specific thing you want for a pendant beyond what I already have, then I have to add whatever it costs me to get it.

To request a specific design, custom colors, or multiples of one style for an equestrian team, email me what you would like and we'll talk about what you want and I will do my best to meet your request.

Thank you!

Email me:  Jessi Sullivan

Updated 08/06/07


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