The Best Way to Manage Horse Tail and Mane Tangles

Your horse looks messy and dirty when the tail and mane are not silky smooth. Tangles are the main culprit and if you allow them to develop, you will be dealing with a crisis on your hands. Some chronic tangles are many times cut off because they are beyond repair. Apart from aesthetics, tangles can be painful to horses. Because of frequent pulling on the skin, they can pinch delicate equine skin and promote great discomfort. As if this is not enough, tangles can irritate skin and cause sores on the skin of your horse.

Riding such a horse can be a nightmare. To this end, maintaining a smooth mane and tail for your horse will go a long way and save your equine friend a lot of heartache. The best thing is to create a grooming regimen that will include the mane and tail. Regular grooming is the sure way to keep those ugly tangles at bay. If you miss a few days, you will discover that your job becomes even harder. If you do not know where to start with the grooming regime, the following information will guide you. Talking to an equine grooming expert is also a great way to learn the best approaches sin keeping snarls clear from manes and tails.

Steps to grooming the mane and tail of your horse effectively

1. Inspect regularly

The mane, forelock and tail can be entangled with all manner of objects therein. From mud to twigs and other debris, you need to use your hands to feel for these elements. It is best to check your horse every time they come from turnout. A quick running of your fingers on the mane and tail will help you keep hazards off and prevent tangling. Equine grooming experts advise horse owners to brush the mane and tail once a week. However, some people prefer to do it more regularly. All horses are not the same and many factors might come in to determine how often to brush your stallion. For example, if your horse is constantly exposed to debris and dirt, regular brushing might be the best choice. Over brushing is not advised as well for it can cause hair loss by triggering split ends. You should treat horse manes and tails delicately just like human hair.

2. Use a proper brush

A brush with wide set bristles is best for manes and tails. You can get this brush at a trusted tack shop. If your horse has many tangles, it is better to untangle one knot at a time. This will reduce the discomfort and ensure that the hairs are smooth. Be very gentle and avoid pulling by engaging smooth strokes, use your fingers to reduce pulling from the roots. Starting at the bottom of the mane or tail is best as you work your way up. Work slowly in trouble areas and make sure that you untangle every knot while reducing breakage as much as possible. If you do this regularly, you will not have many knots to deal with.

3. Invest in a good detangler

Products that detangle manes and tails are widely available. You want a conditioner that is effective and safe for your horse. As you brush, use the product to make your work much easier. A high quality conditioner will also promote shine and overall hair health of the name and tail. Equi-Spa is a good place to find all natural products to effectively detangle knots in your horse. Other products available are sheen promoters and conditioning oils that groom your horse as needed. Avoid sheen products that have high alcohol levels as much as possible. Natural options are much better for horse tangles.

4. Avoid latex gloves

While using a detangler, it is best to avoid latex gloves because some horses have sensitive skin. Also, some people will suffer skin irritation from latex. Use your hands as much as possible to look out for tangles and knots that are hidden before brushing out slowly. When using products, avoid using too much; this is to retain the natural oils of the skin on the mane and tail. Stripping this vital layer can lead to dryness and skin irritation. Equi-Spa products are kind and gentle to your hands and to equine skin.

5. Trimming can be beneficial

There are horses that have very thick manes and tails. These are prone to tangling more often than not. One way to make your work easier is to consider trimming, thinning or shortening the hair. This will leave a manageable amount of hair that is less prone to tangles. There are all manner of tools that can help you achieve this including thinning shears, clippers and mane scissors. If you have never trimmed a mane or tail before, let an expert help you out.

This will promote a more even look to retain overall beauty. Some people achieve mane thinning by pulling out hair. An expert is best placed to do this because it should not hurt the horse. Causing pain to a horse can put you at risk and in this respect; do not attempt a technique that you are not familiar with. Braiding the tail is another technique to reduce tangles. If you wish to go this direction, just braid like you would your own hair. Even after braiding, you have to constantly groom your horse to keep tangling at bay.

Conclusion

If you have a routine that works for your horse, keep it up. There are many ways to keep tangles away. Grooming regularly and using fingers to check for debris is critical as mentioned above. This will help you determine the best way to brush the lumps. Detanglers work better when you have an effective technique to get rid of the knots. In this regard, you have to create a plan for prevention and maintenance. Tail bags are also common in preventing tangles. However some people prefer to keep horse tails flowing freely. With proper tools and information, snarls should be contained accordingly.