Hair Loss Treatment|Hair Care Products|Hair Restoration

Beautiful manes and tails are the goal of nearly all horse owners. Getting manes and tails to grow long and lustrous is one issue. Getting them to stay that way is entirely another.

The longer and thicker a horse's mane and tail becomes, the more work it takes to keep them groomed and free of mats and witches knots. Witches knots are those annoying masses of knots that seem to breed wildly until there is no way to tell where the knot starts and ends.

Hair Care Between Grooming Sessions

There are many options for horses that are stalled for most of their day. Any number of tail bags, braiding options, and tail-systems exist on the market. But, be warned; just as there is no perfect mousetrap, there is no perfect answer to putting up a tail. Should you invent one, you will be rich beyond measure. Good luck.

Manes and tails of horses that live in box stalls or smooth pipe pens are the easiest to maintain. Simply braid the mane and tail, securing the braid with an elastic hair band, and finger comb once a week. Be careful turning out a horse with braided hair as they are very creative at catching the braids in fences, trees and gate latches. Recognize also, that braids also make tempting chewy-toys for other horses.

If you travel with your horse, check all stalling away from home for mane and tail predators. It only takes one bolt or wire to pull out a massive amount of hair from a braided tail.

Regardless of which method you choose to protect your horse's tail, be sure the tail is clean and conditioned before you braid it or put it in a tail wrap of any kind.

To reduce breakage, finger comb the mane and tail until nearly free of tangles and knots. Brushes and combs are only used for a final touch up. For tails that tend to be more brittle, try to stay with finger combing only until just before you enter the show pen.

Using Athletic Socks to Put Up Tails

The easiest and least expensive method for protecting tails is to make a simple braid, then put a nylon tail sack or old athletic sock on the braid. If you decide to try the sock, cut the top of the sock into four equal parts (cut from top to bottom, from cuff toward toe), leaving you four tags about four inched long. Run one of the pieces through the braid (once the tail is in the sock) and tie it with a square knot to the sock tag on the opposite side. Repeat with the remaining two lengths of sock.

Managing Tangled Manes and Tails

Anyone with much grooming experience knows the challenge presented by matted tails and witches knots in manes. Matted hair looks just like a Brillo pad, a hard jumble of strands that is almost a solid object. Unless you just want to cut all the hair off, you will have to make a commitment in order to eliminate knots and mats. It is, however, possible and the time spent with your horse can be delightfully therapeutic.

To pick out mats and knots, try these products:

Cowboy Magic Detangler
Downy Laundry Softener and Conditioner
WD 40

Working Out Mats and Knots

A list of happinesslifetime.com hair care products doesn't usually include WD40, but it works. To work out the mats, use one of these products liberally. Begin to gently pull the mat or knot apart. You will almost be massaging the knots, trying to encourage just a bit of loosening between individual strands. You are on the right track if the mat or knot begins to slowly get wider and taller. Don't be a hero, work for a quarter inch at a time. When the hair gets dry or the knot stops growing, add a little more product.

As you continue to massage and gently stretch the hair mass, little opportunities will emerge to remove strands and pieces of hair. Enjoy each victory. Really resistant knots may take a few sessions to resolve, but with patience and a light touch, you will be able to save nearly all the mane and tail hair.

Once the hair is loose, shampoo it to remove the product you used, especially if you chose WD40. Use a leave-in conditioner on manes and tails after washing. Wet hair breaks easily, so wait until it is nearly dry to finger comb. To promote long, shiny manes and tails, only wash and comb them when absolutely necessary. Shampoo removes essential oils, so condition manes and tails after each wash. Keep tails trimmed to fetlock length in order to prevent hair loss by the horse stepping on his own tail.

Whether the topic is personal success or training stallions, Lynn Baber brings years of experience to readers and audiences. Highly credentialed in issues of leadership, relationship, and most things equine, Lynn has a unique perspective not found elsewhere. Read excerpts from Lynn's latest book, "AMAZING GRAYS-AMAZING GRACE: Pursuing relationship with God, horses, and one another" at AmazingGrays.us AmazingGrays.us. It may also be found on Amazon.com. Lynn is a retired equine professional and is a director of Amazing Grays Ministry.