Openai/694a0c6a-441c-8009-9eea-bcf2458d0d0d

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User: someone on fb asks How do you take care of your horses tails and manes?

someone on fb asks How do you take care of your horses tails and manes? Products? Home made better than store bought? Unfortunately I have cocklebur plants and can’t get them all out of my pasture. I have used a “show shine” product to help them slip out better but it seems to dry the hair out and make it very course. I was thinking about using coconut oil and tail bags but then seen someone braid and the up with vet wrap and said they leave it for 3-5 weeks no one said what products they are using to help with hair growth

Assistant: Here’s a practical, horse-tested guide you can share — what actually works for manes & tails, what to avoid, and how to…

Here’s a practical, horse-tested guide you can share — what actually works for manes & tails, what to avoid, and how to manage cocklebur situations specifically:

🐴 How to Take Care of Horse Manes & Tails

The goal is strong, healthy hair that doesn’t break or knot — especially important when you have burrs/cocklebur in pasture.

✨ Daily/Weekly Basics

✅ Keep It Clean & Tangle-Free

• Detangle before baths with a wide-tooth comb or brush (start at the bottom).
• Daily or every few days: finger-comb through tail to remove burrs/debris before they mat.

✅ Wash When Needed

• Not more than every 10–14 days unless super dirty.
• Use a gentle horse shampoo & conditioner — never dish soap or human shampoo (too harsh).

🧴 What Products Work Well

Here are good categories — examples are included but the principles matter most:

🔹 Conditioning Detanglers

These help slip out burrs without breaking hair:

• Show sheen / mane & tail conditioners - Great for slip, but many have high alcohol which dries hair.
• Leave-in conditioners with moisturizers - Look for glycerin, panthenol, aloe, oils (not alcohol based).
• Detangler sprays made for horses (non-alcohol).

Better choices than alcohol products: 💧 Aloe-based detanglers 💧 Ceramide / protein conditioner sprays 💧 Bond rebuilding formulas (biotin/protein)

🥥 Natural Oils – How to Use Them

Good options — used correctly:

🥥 Coconut Oil

✔ Adds shine ✔ Moisturizes ✘ Can attract dust/dirt if used alone ✅ Best as an additive after conditioning — not as only product

How to use: Rub a tiny amount in your palms and lightly smooth over dry hair (especially ends) — not the roots!

🧴 Argan / Jojoba / Sweet Almond Oil

Better than plain coconut because they absorb without heavy buildup.

Tip: Use natural oils sparingly — too much equals heaviness and dirt traps.

🪢 Braiding & Tail Bags

These help protect from burrs, flies, and breakage — and many people do get good results.

💡 Braiding

• French or traditional tail braid.
• But: Don’t leave tight braids in too long — can cause breakage.
• 3–7 days is a safe window.

🩹 Vet Wrap Over Braid

• People use it loosely as a tail protector.
• IMPORTANT: ❗ Don’t wrap too tight — can cut off circulation and break hair. ❗ Don’t leave on for weeks without checking.

If someone leaves tail wrapped for 3–5 weeks, they should: ✅ Re-check weekly ✅ Remove / re-braid often Otherwise it’s a recipe for breakage.

🛡 Tail Bags

✔ Great for protection ✔ Prevents burrs + skin rubs ✔ Keeps hair cleaner between washes

🌿 Homemade vs Store-Bought

Good Homemade Aids:

• Apple cider vinegar rinse — helps detangle & remove product buildup Dilute 1:10 with water
• Aloe vera gel (pure)
• Homemade spray with conditioner + water + a touch of oil

Store-bought benefits:

• Specialized formulations with slip, UV protection, protein, and conditioning agents that homemade versions don’t always duplicate.

Best approach: ✨ Combine the two – homemade conditioners for moisture + quality horse detangler for slip.

💪 For Growth & Strength

You can’t force hair growth overnight — but you can support it:

🐎 Supplements

• Biotin
• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
• Omega fatty acids (flaxseed / rice bran / supplemented feed)

These support healthy hair follicles, not just surface conditioning.

Many horse people see thicker tails with consistent supplementation over 8–12 weeks.

🐜 Extra Tips When You Have Cocklebur / Burdock

• Keep pastures mowed before seedheads form.
• Use protective gear: tail bags, fly sheets, etc.
• Check daily for burrs — remove before they mat.
• Clip excessively long tails (optional) so burrs don’t pile in.

🧼 Routine Example (Easy)

Weekly

• Finger-comb tail
• Spray conditioner
• Oil light mist on ends

Every 1–2 weeks

• Wash with gentle shampoo & conditioner
• Rinse well

Daily

• Remove burrs immediately
• Re-braid or retie tail bag if needed

🚫 Avoid

❌ Alcohol-heavy products (dry hair) ❌ Over-braiding too tight ❌ Leaving wraps on for weeks without checking ❌ Heavy oil only (attracts dirt & breakage)

If you want, I can tailor a cheap DIY detangler recipe or suggest specific product names that will help with slip without drying hair out.