JEFFERSON TWP — Police are on the lookout for an illicit barber.

The unknown suspect or suspects this week snipped the tails and clipped the manes of three horses at the Henderson Equestrian Complex on Bullcreek Road in Jefferson Township.

Authorities believe the vandal or thief on Wednesday sneaked into the horse pasture and cut the hair off three mares.

“The police told us there’s a demand for horse hair for jewelry, like bracelets and necklaces, and for horse tail extensions,” said Cortney Shipley, the barn manager and trainer at the horse complex.

Horse hair is apparently a coveted commodity for creating faux manes and tails for show horses.

But the uses for horse hair can run the gamut, investigators admit, like to make brushes, wigs, hat bands and even violin bows.

Police said they continue to investigate the unusual crime but they have no suspects. No one reported seeing anything suspicious at the time.

Shipley said she believes the suspect struck around lunch — between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. — when the horses were roaming in the open field that is along the road and no one with the complex was around.

While horses can grow back their tails and manes to full length, Shipley said, it takes years.