I see horses that have an absolutely beautiful mane and tail. It has a nice shine, doesn’t look dry or all broken up. How do you get that?
Genetics.
Other than that, keep them detangled but don’t brush daily. Sun will bleach even the nicest manes. An itchy butt will ruin the nicest tail.
Do you see these horses in real life or just photos? Are they the same breed as your horse?
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My geldings tail stays braided and in a bag 24/7. I wash, heavily condition and brush it maybe every 5/6 weeks. I have to cut at least 2 inches off each time.
When I switched him over to Triple Crown is when I noticed it growing like crazy. The better quality nutrition made a huge difference! But I do firmly believe staying braided and bagged helps protect it!
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Yeah, genetics plays a role. So does nutrition and environment.
For whatever reason I have noticed that my horse’s tail has more shine to it lately. I think the flax oil in his feed helps, and that he’s not in the sun so much (it’s all rain now, no sun!). I brush his tail maybe once a week or every 2 weeks. Otherwise I just hand pick stuff out. If he rolls a lot in certain dirt or mud it can make his hair look dull of course.
His mane is kept braided. Minimal fussing seems to be a good thing.
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The horses that I an referring to I have seen on trail rides and at campsites. Yes, they are Tennessee Walking Horses just like mine.
I have a 6 month-old-colt and I am wanting to get him off on a great start. Just wanting to see if I could make his shine like that as it grows out. I will keep this in mine.
Right now I am feeding him 2 flicks in the morning and 2 flicks at night. He gets about 2 cups of tribute growing colt, one in the morning and one at night. I am not sure if that is the right amount. He is about 13.1 hands and weights around 415 pounds. Should I be adding more, he looks like he is all legs and head right now.
Your veterinarian could help you, after examining him, to be sure all joints and other is growing properly.
At that age, it is important not to over or under feed and to get the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth.
Mane and tail growth will come as they get older.
You are doing well asking to be sure you are on the right track.
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My 1/2 Andalusian mare is a bit weird. Her tail is gorgeous, thick and long. Her mane…Shortish at the top and bottom, longer in the middle and fairly thin. But, with forage and only a ration balancer for supplement, they both sparkle. I guess her ass half got the Andalusian genes:lol:.
A weanling isn’t going to show his adult mane and tail yet. I would say between two and three before what God gave him makes itself known. In the meantime, provide him a good diet to maximize health.
Susan
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I did forget to mention that my guy with the hair that shines has a good amount of protein and amino acids in his diet too. So there’s that to consider, I think.
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I do have an appointment to take him to the vet on Dec. 27th. I want to make sure that I am doing everything right now. I brush his dock dailey with a dandy bruch to help witih circulation hoping that will help it to grow.
My other horses gets a cup of sunflower seeds added to their feed. I won’t add it to the colt’s until after I talk to the vet and get his opinion.
My horses have beautiful, shiny tails (look awesome on two chubby QH, a BSP, and an OTTB. Of course, we feed the best we can find (ADM) and best hay we can buy (alfalfa) but we don’t do tail bags or anything like that. What we do is lavishly massage in Cowboy Magic Concentrated Detangler and Shine. It is a oily looking goo that one puts into the hand then rubs down the tail from dock to ends. I put a little more at the ends. I don’t over brush, but neither do I “never brush.” Although all four were at one point in the show ring, these days the QH are fox hunting and the BSP and OTTB are retired. Still I like a nice looking tail. I keep the bottom trimmed so they don’t step on the ends when getting up or backing up, but otherwise, just religious use of Cowboy Magic Concentrated Detangler and Shine. The QH may be two unremarkable and unmarked QH (they do have cool brands), but I always turn them out clean with shiny long tails. You have to work with what you have.
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Genetics dictates length and thickness, quality feed drives shine. Products and supplements (such as biotin) can sometimes enhance those things, but not replace them. Sun and sweat can cause bleaching or dullness, tall weeds or rough fences can cause hairs to be snagged or pulled out.
My Arab has a short, stringy tail and long flowing mane - mane and tail have barely grown in the 4 years I’ve had her. Coat gleams from a good diet despite infrequent grooming.
My Quarter Horse has an annoyingly thick, fast growing mane and a tail so thick it almost completely hides his legs. I trim a good 2" off his tail per month so he doesn’t step on it, and rarely brush or wash unless we’re going out in public. Blindingly shiny from good diet, even with infrequent grooming.
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