Best shampoo/conditioner/detangler for thickly maned horses

[WildLittleWren]

What are your favorite hair products (detangler, shampoo, and conditioner), for thickly maned dry manes? In the Florida sun both my daughter’s mustang’s and my own mustang’s manes get dry and brittle. As far as detangler it seems my normal go to products are clearly NOT working. I have tried Cowboy Magic, and Showsheen. I have an Argan oil based conditioner and use whatever regular horse shampoo I have on hand when I bathe. I only bathe maybe 1 once a month or less, but I do have to rinse daily because of the heat. It’s been brutal on them.

I need a heavy duty hair care product to make our lives simpler. Their hair breaks off easily but we often braid it (either French or in large loose braids), to keep them cooler in the Florida heat. I know that the less you brush, the less breakage you will have. But it’s hard when even the leave in detangler you put on them just seems to get soaked up and the mane tangles again anyways. Any advice would be much appreciated!

ETA: I’m used to pulling manes, not keeping them long

[marmarmar]

My favorite shampoo is the green Vetrolin stuff. If you have super thick, grimy hair, Orvus is also good stuff. A little bit goes a long way! For conditioner I like Suave, works really well to soften the hair and it’s cheap!

Best detangler I know of is Eqyss survivor. Seriously great stuff and smells amazing. You only need maybe a nickel size squirt of it for an entire tail (normal thickness)

Have you tried braiding and wrapping the mane? Apply plenty of detangler, braid, fold up, and wrap with vet wrap. Keeps the hair from breaking and keeps it from getting too wet when you’re rinsing daily. Also cuts down on brushing, which is very bad for dry brittle hair!

[springgreypony]

Try using thick hair shampoo and conditioner for humans! Brands such as Herbal Essences, Suave and anything else that has coconut oil in it is good for moisturizing the hair. I also agree that conditioning, braiding and wrapping the tails and manes would help to preserve everything. As far as detanglers, I second Eqyss Survivor Detangler/Shine; it is a miracle worker! Best of luck!

[walkinthewalk]

I second Vetrolin shampoo and Vetrolin conditioner. I’ve actually been using both on my hair, going on four years — when I accidentally discovered my hair stopped falling out in abnormal amounts with its use. It really makes my scalp feel good which is why I initially kept using it.

Also, with the mane being thick, you might try comb outs with several sized (tooth size) combs. Wide-toothed human wig combs are great for a first comb through of thick manes:)

[Ceffyl_Dwr]

I will use Pantene on my horse’s mane and tail as a leave-in conditioner, though I probably only give a true soap bath once every six months. Also, I’m a big fan of this product for daily moisturizer.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/healthy-haircare-hair-moisturizer-233

[CanteringCarrot]

Well, using anything with silicone in it probably won’t be best. I’d never use Show Sheen and the like on a mane.

I shortened my geldings mane for the summer and it’s been absolutely wonderful. No braids. No washing, conditioning, etc.

I used to just wash and condition with any human stuff I had on hand. Sometimes I’d use a horse tea tree shampoo. After hosing him down after a ride I would spray his mane with a mix of diluted conditioner. Just mix some conditioner with water, and leave on. I always brush from the bottom up slowly.

I did also experiment with some products from the ethnic hair care section of the beauty supply store that seemed to offer a better/longer lasting conditioning effect on the hair.

[Amym600]

I have two favorites I won’t be without. Healthy Hair Care Moisturizer. I mix in a spray bottle and spray every time I groom. A little goes a long way. I spray the body brush and use it then spray mane and tail. If it feels especially dry I use Cantu Leave In conditioner, any kind. Usually goes on sale at Sally’s but also Walmart and Amazon have it. It’s awesome, no silicone but does do a pretty good job of detangling. I also use vetrolin shampoo but I only shampoo every month, I condition every couple weeks and then add leave in.

[bugsynskeeter]

UltraCruz Equine Shampoo, Conditioner, and Detangler. Detangler comes in a spray or a gel. The conditioner can also be used as a leave in.

[pony_baloney]

https://manelylonghair.com

Manely Long Hair is made for longer thick manes and tails. I’ve been using their detangler and coat spray on my paint pony. He lives in a field of dirt and mud and is always clean…don’t know how but he is. It just brushes away. The detangler is very effective and you don’t need much.