Everything mane/tail

[OdieJump]

my goal for my horse is long, healthy hair. I have an idea of how to do this but have a few details that I need worked out

first, is there a difference between a higher quality tail bag and a cheaper one? Other than durability, will this make any difference in the horses tail? What are the pros and cons.

Next, suggestions for good brands of leave in conditioner or any supplements that actually work and help the mane and tail grow

also, I’ll be frequently rebraiding their mane and tail to prevent knots… but how often can I wash them? (Once it warms up of course) if I wash their mane and tail every other week will that be too much and prevent growth? Additionally to this, is there something I should do to keep their mane and tail clean during colder seasons or is it okay if it doesn’t get washed

lastly, any other tips for keeping your horses hair healthy?

I appreciate the help, thanks!

[Palm_Beach]

Food and genetics make hair grow. As long as you use gentle products that don’t dry the hair out and cause it to break, washing and conditioning don’t affect growth rate.

I never use a tail bag, and my horses are turned out a lot. I only ever brush out tails if I am going to a competition or event, and always use a detangler when I do. Long manes stay in large chunky braids. I only wash between competitions if I have a few weeks and it’s been muddy.

I simply leave the tails alone, no braiding or bags. At the end of the competition season, around late October, I will cut them up to the hocks so they stay out of the mud all winter. By the time I’m competiting again they are back down to the ankles, thick and lush.

[CFFarm]

@Palm Beach

Food and genetics make hair grow. As long as you use gentle products that don’t dry the hair out and cause it to break, washing and conditioning don’t affect growth rate.

I never use a tail bag, and my horses are turned out a lot. I only ever brush out tails if I am going to a competition or event, and always use a detangler when I do. Long manes stay in large chunky braids. I only wash between competitions if I have a few weeks and it’s been muddy.

I simply leave the tails alone, no braiding or bags. At the end of the competition season, around late October, I will cut them up to the hocks so they stay out of the mud all winter. By the time I’m competiting again they are back down to the ankles, thick and lush.

This is most of it (bolded). In the saddlebred world we always kept the tails in rag braids during showing season and hand picked out the tail instead of brushing.

[ecileh]

I actually find that my big mare’s tail is more likely to break when braided for long periods of time. As a result, I only braid when I know it’s going to be muddy/sleeting/otherwise nasty and I try not to leave it in for more than 2-3 days at a time. The only reason I braid it at all is because it’s white now and I’m trying to keep it from staining too horribly–my other mare has a black tail and I never braid it.

I use Healthy Haircare in both of them every time I groom and comb/pick out the tangles…but I tend to be of the school that less is more when it comes to keeping tails.

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

After summer rides, I put conditioner my horse’s tail before I hose him, and then rinse it out when I rinse him off. It’s a small thing, it’s easy to do, and it seems to help a little bit with overall hair health.

[Palm_Beach]

@ecileh

I actually find that my big mare’s tail is more likely to break when braided for long periods of time. As a result, I only braid when I know it’s going to be muddy/sleeting/otherwise nasty and I try not to leave it in for more than 2-3 days at a time. The only reason I braid it at all is because it’s white now and I’m trying to keep it from staining too horribly–my other mare has a black tail and I never braid it.

I use Healthy Haircare in both of them every time I groom and comb/pick out the tangles…but I tend to be of the school that less is more when it comes to keeping tails.

It’s been a while since I bought a horse, but tha last time I did, I deliberately refused to consider a horse with a white tail…they are beautiful when they are white but what a job!!!

[dynamite0319]

I’ve noticed a positive improvement in my horses’ tail after adding abiotin supplement for the past year (vet recommended HB15). I grew up showing quarter horses and was a slave to tail bags and conditioners. My horses now have just as nice tails as my horses had with tail bags. I do still put Mane n Tail conditioner on them, but I only wash them maybe once a quarter and keep them detangled as best I can without brushing them frequently.

[demidq]

I have a grey with a white tail. (I swear it was dark grey when I bought her!). I use a 3 tube tail bag and double it up in a “club” in the winter because otherwise it is dark brown by spring. I would never just braid it because of breakages, and I have never been successful with ordinary tail bags staying on.
In summer, tail is loose and I wash when it looks dirty with GENTLE shampoo and use lots of conditioner. Nothing you can apply will make the tail grow faster but it is easy to over use various products and have the hair turn dry, brittle and fragile.

[outerbanks77]

In summer, I generally wash the tail every week or two and use a conditioner, then pick out the tail and apply coconut oil once it’s dry. After the oil has been absorbed, I apply Cowboy Magic. Although silicone based products can be drying, IMO the oil counteracts it, and the Cowboy Magic makes the hair slippery so it is less likely to catch on things and break off. I also trim the bottom every few months which makes it look fuller, whether or not it prevents breakage from split ends.

With longer tails I do the same then braid it up in fabric in winter to keep it clean and detangled.

[blackdimond88]

Omega horseshine does wonders for manes and tails. My Appy that had a sparse mane and short tail grew in a beautiful mane & tail. Took about 6 months or so but what a difference.

[GallopHer]

Has anyone tried the Trophy Line “Manely Long Hair” care products? I’ve seen good reviews, but the products seem pricey.

Thanks.

[Scribbler]

@blackdimond88

Omega horseshine does wonders for manes and tails. My Appy that had a sparse mane and short tail grew in a beautiful mane & tail. Took about 6 months or so but what a difference.

Hmmm. Given that a very sparse mane and tail is a breed characteristic of many Appaloosas I’d really want to see before and after photos!

[_DressageDiva]

I have an Appy-Cross who is blessed with a ridiculously thick mane and a below average, but not as sparse as most Appy’s. I’ve been very happy with him on Canpressco Oil and Boitin Supplements, and I love the UltraCruz Shampoo/Conditioner line.