Natural Tail Dreadlocks?

[JoZ]

The Pony Princess (Paint x Percheron) has dreads in her tail but even more so in her mane. I have had her mane braided (just big pigtails, not show braiding) since the last time I washed and combed through it. One of the rubber bands broke – on day one, the “freed” hair was still in a loose braid. On day two, it had UNbraided AND rolled itself into a dreadlock. Siiiiiiigh.

My friend’s Paint gelding has the crimped look to his tail which I LOVE – and it doesn’t seem to result in tangles and mess quite the same way dreadlocks do.

[SkipChange]

Well THIS is my horse’s tail
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30482465&id=1293060230#!/photo.php?pid=30482465&id=1293060230&fbid=1160854583540

I use people conditioner for dry, damaged hair–I use Tresemme or Pantene (both are really pretty cheap). I always use show sheen to comb it out. Always start at the bottom and work up and do it in small sections at a time. He’s got a good bit of wave and curl to his tail but it usually falls out with show sheen and brushing.

[onelanerode]

Yes, my QH/TB mare has a very thick tail, and sections of it are a bit wavy and will end up in loose dreads.

I leave it alone unless I have the time to pick it through and comb it out well, and there’s no point in doing that unless the tail is clean (i.e., mare just had a bath).

[ChocoMare]

Since we’re showing off butts… Miss Penny: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020672&id=1082814537&saved#!/photo.php?pid=30654737&id=1082814537

[katarine]

SSH/TWH filly’s tail does this. My other two, a TWH and a SSH, do not.

SO’s old QH did, my QH, does not.

Infusium is a super leave in tail conditioner that softens/makes pliable the tail. I’ll wash a tail, squirt Infusium all up down and round it, and leave it. The next day it’s dry and brushable. I only use Cowboy Magic or Eqyss Survivor at shows, which are rare. They are too drying.

To avoid dreads I like the relaxer idea just condition the SNOT out of it afterward.

[TheJenners]

My BF had a gelding he just sold who had a thick tail and dreadlocked as soon as the brush was through it. What I did on this horse (and others) was wash the stuffing out the tail, until the lather is bright white, brush brush brush and loosely braid while wet…and start your braid in the OPPOSITE direction of the dreads. Hard to explain, but if the dreads spiral clockwise, then sort of twist the hair counter-closewise as your cross the pieces over.

[KellyS]

Thanks for all the ideas on how to manage it! As others have said, it kind of self maintains…I just leave it alone instead of driving myself nuts trying to undreadlock it all the time. I can see how good conditioner will be a huge help when trying to get it presentable for shows. Maybe I’ll share my Herbal Essences Long-Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner–that stuff rocks!

I can never get it to look banged…even when it’s banged! The hair twists around and tapers into a point no matter what.

His mane, on the other hand, is stick straight…and full of cow licks. The type of mane that wants to stand straight up no matter what. I roached it last summer but I’m slowly pulling it to a decent length and thickness now. He’s my own little grooming challenge. He doesn’t mind…he loves all the attention.

[JellyBeanQueen]

I wonder if you could use a straightening iron. Hmmmmmmm.

[Drive_NJ]

Kelly

Alex’s tail is thick and full of dreds too. We use straight arrow Mane & Tail detangler 1X a week and it works great. Doesn’t seem to dry like other detanglers, no rubbing in with hands, just light spray and brush AND not much scent. Many of the other detanglers stink up your hands for hours +.

Seems to keep the tail in control and pretty easy to brush out without losing much hair. added benefit, treated tail brushes over hocks and helps keep them cleaner and easier to clean as well. Hair seems shiny and conditioned.

[Dramapony_misty]

I have an Appy gelding who has a thick tail that does that. All little dreads. BUT, I won’t complain because he is an Appy…and I’m just happy he has a nice tail at all!

[KrazyTBMare]

My coming 3 y/o Oldenburg/TB gelding has this. His tail is CRAZY thick. Like I cant wrap one hand around it. But yes, he has the dreads mainly in the back towards the front 1/2 way. The outside parts are kind of straight. His mane is trying to do it but he has a wavey mane too. Hes a chestnut with roaning spots and flaxin tail (more reddish mane).

To brush it out, I LOVE Vetrolin shine detangler. It doesnt leave the hair all greasey feeling after you brush it out and it doesnt dry it either.

[Carrie_D]

I have a sorrel Belgian/QH cross that has a tri-colored tail with the same issue. All of the hair at the top which is mostly the shades of brown are pin straight. The part of this tail that is white is constantly in dreads.

Somebody had given me the GREAT idea of baby oil. The baby oil has worked better than many of the other products out there, gives it an awesome shine, and usually lasts at least a couple days. I have also found it to keep alot of moisture in his tail. On top of it, baby oil is cheap and can be done in the cold!

[PunkJunker23]

@Carrie D

I have a sorrel Belgian/QH cross that has a tri-colored tail with the same issue. All of the hair at the top which is mostly the shades of brown are pin straight. The part of this tail that is white is constantly in dreads.

Somebody had given me the GREAT idea of baby oil. The baby oil has worked better than many of the other products out there, gives it an awesome shine, and usually lasts at least a couple days. I have also found it to keep alot of moisture in his tail. On top of it, baby oil is cheap and can be done in the cold!

AHHHH!!!
Mineral oil coats the hair and prevents oils from entering the hairs shaft.
Looks shiny and moisturized but ends up causing the hair to dry out and become brittle.
Great for shows but terrible for frequent use.

[Simkie]

@PunkJunker23

AHHHH!!!
Mineral oil coats the hair and prevents oils from entering the hairs shaft.
Looks shiny and moisturized but ends up causing the hair to dry out and become brittle.
Great for shows but terrible for frequent use.

Eight year old thread. The poster you’re replying to hasn’t even logged in since 2011.

[PunkJunker23]

@Simkie

Eight year old thread. The poster you’re replying to hasn’t even logged in since 2011.

cough
I should probably start checking dates on these things…

[longlanefarm]

Well I’m glad this was resurrected. I didn’t know this was a “thing”! Will have to try some of these tips for my TB mare!