[QCTrailrider]

Originally Posted by taliacristianna

For the last four years or so I've kept a bottle of a generic "No More Tears" spray detangler for babies in my tack box.

It's cheap, it makes combing the mane & tail a breeze and it leaves absolutely NO residue. Also has a very light and pleasant smell.

Calms flyaways too!

Ditto! I teach horsemanship classes to kids, and not ripping out the mane and tail is one of the first things I tell them, and I immediately show them how to use baby hair detangler. They think it's a really cool thing!

I also save the super duper deep conditioners from my boxes of people hair coloring, and I use that every time I wash manes n' tails. It almost cancels out the need for the detangler.

[REINING CHICK]

ok heres mine.

1. for after grooming/shampooing for a show. i spray show sheen all over them, unless im goign to ride them i dont spray the saddle area. i spray face, legs, mane/neck area, and tail.
2. at the show if your horse has any green spots, use vingar. WORKS wonders!! put some on a towel and there you go!
3. daily grooming i was introduced to kerry oil. 1 part water one part kerry.
4. listerine is awesome for hooves!
5. currying!!!! daily!!! brushing!!! then the kerry oil! makes the coats do wonders!
6. day of show i use corn stratch i do this first then the feet with hoof black
7. one your done banding i love just cheap suave moose. works wonders to calm those fly aways.
8. alawys use a slinky!!!

[K Riding Girl]

Originally Posted by appgirl

in the winter put snow on your brush and brush it on it is crazy natural and surprisingly it works make sure it all comes out though dont want them getting a chill

that sounds so cool! unfortunately, its only snowed once in history where i live....

[alphapony]

For rubs and scars, and areas that need hair to grow back, get EQyss Equine Rebuilder. I'm the biggest fan of this stuff. My pony had his entire chest and shoulders rubbed this winter by his blankets, I put this stuff on dry for three consecutive days and his hair was completely grown back. It seems expensive, but you don't have to use much for it to work so it lasts forever. I'm currently using what I have leftover from winter to get my pony's tail longer and thicker. That's my biggest grooming tip.

[Auzzie Honey]

Great tips all - have seen some new ones I'm wanting to try out!

Mine are:

- Good balanced diet will have your horse healthy, and in turn, glowing. The best way to have a healthy shine is for the horse to be healthy from the inside out!
- Groom daily and thoroughly. Curry comb if your have winter woolies or unclipped fur. A quick brush of the mane using a BRUSH (not comb), leaving the tail.
- Never groom the tail unless its with your fingers, or using contitioner.
Biggest thing I've had to do is resist touching Jeds tail. I dont groom it, maybe once or twice ever 2 months? Or before a show. I never, EVER use a tail comb, as I find the tail comes out in chunks. I use a body brush and do a tiny bit by tiny bit - this is said to be the 'correct' way of grooming a tail.
- Avoid over-washing horses. My horses get a hose down if they're sweaty, but I dont shampoo. I dont like to shampoo as it can bleach the coat some. It also strips the coat of its natural oils.
- I dont sand back hooves .. espec if I am going to be putting hoofblack/clear on! There is a protective layer on the hoof, when its removed the hoof can absorb more .. don't fancy messing around with mothernature too much
- I use a white paste (I can't for the life of me remember what it is called) straight after washing socks/stars .. just paint it on, and allow to dry. Can be left over night. I brush off when dry/next morning -- and I have some seriously white socks If needed, can put another layer of the paste on, and brush when we get to the show.
- Re: baby oil. I don't use this on the coats *yuck* as I've found it to be a grea tcollecter of dirt .. espec if your rug .. oh yuck, don't rug a recently oiled horse I use a bit of babyoil in the ends of the tails and massage into the dock, but rinse out. Then put in a spray that is anti-dirt.

Not a lot of tips .. i haven't had my coffee yet

[Luv2LopeQH]

Originally Posted by HeatherH

At a horse show today talking tails and someone swore by Infusium (for people) leave in treatment for excellent tail & mane conditioning! I may have to try it when my cowboy magic detangler runs out!

I use it and it works pretty well. For fake tails I also use Nexus shampoo and Nexus Hemctress Conditioner and then the Infusium leave in. The tail is always silky and smooth!

[Nick_n_Cher94]

Originally Posted by nixalba

My favourite grooming tool is a barbeque stone (there are some made specifically for horses, but are slightly higher in cost). It really gets out the dead hair and dried mud. It also removes botfly eggs. Best of all it leaves the horses coat sooo soft and shiny!

I've never used it, but I've seen the process and results of using bacon grease in the horse's tail to help grow a longer fuller tail.

Barbeque stone? How do you use it?? And really bacon grease :O wow lol