I`ll appreciate any comment about how to bristle (to lift) the springbok back hair in a full mount (jumping). I saw in a taxidermy in south africa . thanks
Think about a hair gell and hanging the entire mount upside down while drying.
The tanned springbok hides I have in possession are flat, since the hair folicles are contracted during the tanning process. If you desire to erect the dorsal flare as it appears during the "pronking" that springbok do when alarmed, I suggest the following: Mount the little antelope as you would any other specie and then rehydrate the dorsal "mane" which creates the "spring" in the bok, so to say. The gel suggestion is a good one, but it is just a partial solution since the hair roots in the folicles will not be altered. While the remainder of the hide is still wet and fresh on the mount, pull the dorsal rear section a bit forward and up, to create a small amount of slack. Secure both sides of the long hairs which form the "mane" with T-pins. Make sure that the ridge of skin is even on both sides. Apply the gel, making sure that it is unscented and free of coconut oil. Use a hair dryer or a heat gun (be extremely careful with the heat gun)and dry the skin and the hair along the dorsal ridge, while combing it forwards and up with a furrier's comb. A round, one inch diameter curling brush may be used to flare the tips of the hair in a natural array. Once the erectile hairs appear as you desire, hang the mount upside down as Jim said. You will need to check the mount daily to tweak, since some of the hide moisture may leak downward, offsetting the effect. Use the round brush and the hair dryer to do this. My springbok has been "pronking" since 1983, and looks gud enuf fer me. Good luck.
The tanned springbok hides I have in possession are flat, since the hair folicles are contracted during the tanning process. If you desire to erect the dorsal flare as it appears during the "pronking" that springbok do when alarmed, I suggest the following: Mount the little antelope as you would any other specie and then rehydrate the dorsal "mane" which creates the "spring" in the bok, so to say. The gel suggestion is a good one, but it is just a partial solution since the hair roots in the folicles will not be altered. While the remainder of the hide is still wet and fresh on the mount, pull the dorsal rear section a bit forward and up, to create a small amount of slack. Secure both sides of the long hairs which form the "mane" with T-pins. Make sure that the ridge of skin is even on both sides. Apply the gel, making sure that it is unscented and free of coconut oil. Use a hair dryer or a heat gun (be extremely careful with the heat gun)and dry the skin and the hair along the dorsal ridge, while combing it forwards and up with a furrier's comb. A round, one inch diameter curling brush may be used to flare the tips of the hair in a natural array. Once the erectile hairs appear as you desire, hang the mount upside down as Jim said. You will need to check the mount daily to tweak, since some of the hide moisture may leak downward, offsetting the effect. Use the round brush and the hair dryer to do this. My springbok has been "pronking" since 1983, and looks gud enuf fer me. Good luck.