Long and thick mane and tail. HELP!

MI Racer · 08-18-2008, 07:11 AM

One of my horses has a long and thick mane and tail. They are beautifukl, but everytime I go out to ride I have to brush it out since it gets nasty knots in them. I thought about pulling it to thin it some, but don't really want to and I don't want to cut them short. I've tried a tailbag, but the part thats not in the bag still gets all knotted.

I don't know what to do. Right now I have then loosely braided and I keep them conditioned. Is there anythign else I can do to keep it from getting knotted and matted?

Quick2Skip01 · 08-18-2008, 08:12 AM

Ive found that loose braids and Quic Condition 2 are the best ways to keep long manes and tails nice. One of our mares has a really long thick mane, and it does the same thing if we leave it be. So when I rewrap her tail i wash and condition her mane, then put braids in the mane. Every day or so I will spray the mane down with the Quic Condition 2 (leaving the braids in) and I take the braids out every couple of days.

MI Racer · 08-19-2008, 07:52 PM

Thank you. Anyone else have suggestions?

HorseClicks · 08-19-2008, 10:38 PM

I like show sheen for long, thick manes and tails. It keeps the tangles out for about a week before you need to reapply. Braids tend to get messy and break hair after a while. Show sheen is useless if you want to braid or pull the mane as it makes the hairs slippery, but that's what makes it keep the hair from tangling. Conditioners are good for avoiding breakage. Of course, combing it out regularly is essential no matter what you use as leaving it uncombed will allow the hair that naturally falls out to get tangled in with the rest of the hair.

DressageGirl22 · 08-20-2008, 05:00 AM

Show sheen is a huge NO for tails and manes. It just causes more breakage. You could wash and condition about every 1-2 weeks. Then keep the mane in long loose pasture braids. The braids work so well to keep everything neat. If you want a thick mane and tail, then you shouldn't really be brushing it at all.

mytega · 08-20-2008, 05:41 AM

My mare has a super thick, long tail, and I use Mane N Tail Detangler on it. It says it conditions it too. It is very easy to brush through and makes the hair kind of silky. Hope this helps!

SunnieRose · 09-08-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MI Racer

One of my horses has a long and thick mane and tail. They are beautifukl, but everytime I go out to ride I have to brush it out since it gets nasty knots in them. I thought about pulling it to thin it some, but don't really want to and I don't want to cut them short. I've tried a tailbag, but the part thats not in the bag still gets all knotted.

I don't know what to do. Right now I have then loosely braided and I keep them conditioned. Is there anythign else I can do to keep it from getting knotted and matted?

Hi.... My mom created something that I LOVE!... she was tired of seeing my horses manes in dreads and tangles.... check it out... ponypouches dot com. They are very cool mane bags.

I LOVE a long mane and tail!

08-18-2008, 07:11 AM	#1
MI Racer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 790	Long and thick mane and tail. HELP! One of my horses has a long and thick mane and tail. They are beautifukl, but everytime I go out to ride I have to brush it out since it gets nasty knots in them. I thought about pulling it to thin it some, but don't really want to and I don't want to cut them short. I've tried a tailbag, but the part thats not in the bag still gets all knotted. I don't know what to do. Right now I have then loosely braided and I keep them conditioned. Is there anythign else I can do to keep it from getting knotted and matted?

08-18-2008, 08:12 AM	#2
Quick2Skip01 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 4,046 Images: 287 Blog Entries: 7	Ive found that loose braids and Quic Condition 2 are the best ways to keep long manes and tails nice. One of our mares has a really long thick mane, and it does the same thing if we leave it be. So when I rewrap her tail i wash and condition her mane, then put braids in the mane. Every day or so I will spray the mane down with the Quic Condition 2 (leaving the braids in) and I take the braids out every couple of days. __________________ ~Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.~ Horse Power- (Informal) The extraordinary capacity of the horse to elevate the human spirit.

08-20-2008, 05:00 AM	#5
DressageGirl22 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 630 Images: 76	Show sheen is a huge NO for tails and manes. It just causes more breakage. You could wash and condition about every 1-2 weeks. Then keep the mane in long loose pasture braids. The braids work so well to keep everything neat. If you want a thick mane and tail, then you shouldn't really be brushing it at all. __________________ "If all I did was teach you to think like a horse and truly understand their psychology, you'd have the keys to be able to do whatever you want with horses, and to win their hearts." Pat Parelli PNH Level 2

08-20-2008, 05:41 AM	#6
mytega Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central PA Posts: 516 Images: 75	My mare has a super thick, long tail, and I use Mane N Tail Detangler on it. It says it conditions it too. It is very easy to brush through and makes the hair kind of silky. Hope this helps! __________________ Becky (person) & Maddie (horse) I was snowballed twice!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Long/Thick Tail - Can't braid tail	Feaky	Horse Grooming	7	08-16-2008 07:35 PM
How to Care For Feathers and Thick, Long Mane	Tami	Horse Grooming	3	05-02-2007 04:12 AM
How long is your horse's mane, tail, forelock?	Blondehorse	Horse Chat	21	05-02-2006 05:23 PM
Mane long and thick - needs a change	Sancho	Horse Grooming	5	04-06-2006 05:32 PM
How do you get a long/thick tail?	Millieluvsu	Horse Grooming	14	03-14-2005 04:20 PM

08-19-2008, 07:52 PM	#3
MI Racer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 790	Thank you. Anyone else have suggestions?

08-19-2008, 10:38 PM	#4
HorseClicks Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 23	I like show sheen for long, thick manes and tails. It keeps the tangles out for about a week before you need to reapply. Braids tend to get messy and break hair after a while. Show sheen is useless if you want to braid or pull the mane as it makes the hairs slippery, but that's what makes it keep the hair from tangling. Conditioners are good for avoiding breakage. Of course, combing it out regularly is essential no matter what you use as leaving it uncombed will allow the hair that naturally falls out to get tangled in with the rest of the hair.