Moosburger Horsehair Pillows – Handcrafted in Austria
Handcrafted natural pillows from Austria — breathable, shape-retaining, and built to last.
About Moosburger
For generations, the Austrian manufactory Moosburger has been producing pillows from pure horsehair. The material is naturally breathable, retains its shape over years of use, and regulates moisture without any chemical treatment. Every pillow is handcrafted and can be refurbished after 7 to 10 years of use.
All Pillow Models at a Glance
The Moosburger range includes twelve different pillow models: cervical support pillows, classic pillows, baby and children’s pillows, shoulder pillows, adjustable pillows, and decorative bolsters. Three filling types are available: SH (cattle tail hair, medium firmness), RS (horse tail hair, firm support), and RH (horse mane hair, soft — for baby and children’s pillows only).
Overview of all models (PDF, English)
Other Moosburger Products
Beyond pillows, Moosburger also produces horsehair mattress toppers and a horsehair duvet, both made with the same natural materials and craftsmanship. The complete Moosburger range is presented on the main product page (in German).
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All Twelve Pillow Models
The Moosburger horsehair pillow range covers every sleeping position and body type. Click any image below to see the corresponding product page on our German shop. Cervical pillows (A, B, CF, CG) support side and back sleepers. The shoulder pillow (H) is shaped for broader builds. Adjustable pillows (F2, G2) have two removable inner cushions so height and firmness can be tuned. Baby and children’s pillows (D, DE) use soft horse mane filling. The bolster (KR) and star pillow (STW) round out the collection.
Three Filling Variants
- SH — cattle tail hair — Medium firmness. Good all-round support, used in classic and most cervical pillows.
- RS — horse tail hair — Firm support. The strongest and most resilient option, ideal for heavier builds and side sleepers.
- RH — horse mane hair — Soft. Used exclusively in baby and children’s pillows because the head of a small child needs gentle support.
Five Generations of Austrian Craftsmanship
The Moosburger manufactory has been processing horsehair in Hörbranz, Vorarlberg, for over 100 years. Located at the foot of the Pfänderberg in the Leiblachtal valley, the family business is now in its fifth generation. Every step — from washing the raw hair to sorting, spinning into thin braids, steaming and curing for at least three months — happens by hand in this small Austrian workshop. The work combines traditional machines with skilled handwork that no factory line can replace.
Why Horsehair Is the Most Valued Natural Filling
Horsehair has been a premium upholstery and bedding material for over 500 years. Its unique properties come from the structure of the hair itself:
- Air circulation. The hair never lies completely flat, even under pressure. Air can always move through the pillow, keeping the surface temperature even.
- Moisture regulation. Horsehair absorbs moisture and releases it back into the surrounding air. Even during a fever, internal humidity stays below 60% — far too dry for dust mites.
- Mite-free environment. Dust mites need 73–85% humidity to survive and feed on mould spores. Washed and steamed horsehair contains no organic food source for them and stays too dry for colonisation.
- Exceptional longevity. Keratin can last over 100 years. A Moosburger pillow can be refurbished after 7–10 years and serves for decades.
- Temperature balance. The same pillow works in summer and winter — the hair adapts to body temperature without overheating or chilling.
- 100% natural. No chemicals, no glues, no synthetic additives. The cotton cover is from controlled organic farming, unbleached and undyed.
How Each Pillow Is Made
The raw hair comes from cattle and horse tails — collected only after slaughter, never from living animals, and approved by veterinary inspection. At the Moosburger workshop the hair is hand-sorted, washed in clear water, then spun into very thin braids on traditional machines. Steam fixes the curl permanently. Each braid then rests for at least three months — much like wine maturing — before being unwound by hand and filled into the pillow shells. The shells themselves are sewn in-house from controlled organic cotton, unbleached and tightly woven so no hair pricks through.
Suitable for Allergy Sufferers
Because horsehair is keratin — the same material as fingernails or hair — it cannot develop mould. Combined with the constant dryness inside the pillow, this creates an environment where dust mites simply cannot establish themselves. The cotton cover from certified organic farming is GOTS-finished without chemical residues, making the pillows particularly suitable for sensitive skin and for children.
Care and Refurbishment
The best care is regular airing — ideally in morning sunshine. Pillows can be washed at 30 °C on the wool cycle with mild wool detergent (never spin-dry); covers tolerate 60 °C. Tumble-dry only on the gentlest setting. After 7–10 years of use, Moosburger refurbishes pillows: the hair is loosened, dry-cleaned, aired and combed back to full volume. The pillow is then as good as new. A detailed German-language care guide is available as PDF below.
