[Bailey-Boots]

I was asked on one thread why baby oil is not a good thing (IMO) to put on your horses hair .. and I thought I would give the reason on this thread.

Firstly a little bit about hair, and what it needs.



Here you can see a cross section of hair and the different layers. what you get to see on the surface of the skin is made of up 3 main cylinders, with the outer being the cuticle. Hair is mostly made up of 70% Keratin protein, as well as others. within the layers it requires the protein to keep it strong and moisture to keep it supple. (both of them go hand in hand keeping the hair healthy). Oil is secreted from the oil gland (sebaceous gland) and that covers the hair shaft (it is not absorbed into the hair shaft) this is why you get 'oily hair' if you don't wash it for a long time. Hair pulls moisture out of the air and can also be replenished by using a good conditioner, this will nourish the hair deep within the shaft. A good moisturiser will not contain petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin (these products are sealants and will restrict the hair getting moisture)

Keeping hair healthy: when you wash and condition hair you will probably (well you should ) use a product that has protein in it. that can come in many forms, one being Keratin, you can also get Hydrolyzed Keratin. The Hydrolyzed bit means that the molecules are small enough to pass through the layers of the hair. Hydrolyzed Keratin will pass through all 3 layers of the hair to where it is needed. There are many types of protein, rice, wheat etc

When you put oil on her hair then it makes it shine, but it is only giving you the illusion of health. Oil molecules are too large to penetrate into the hair, hence it sitting on the outside of the shaft. oil does not moisturise hair. We all know oil and water don't mix, so what you have done is create a seal (waterproof) on the hair. So now no moisture can get into it. The oil works great if you already have moisture rich healthy hair and you don't want any moisture to excape (hence a lot of african women using oil on their hair to prevent moisture loss), but in most horses (ones that I have seen) their manes and tails are dry so crying out for moisture and not wanting to be blocked from it.

Over time you will find that you have to use a strong shampoo probably containing DEA to remove the oil and then you will find the hair in its true state, very dry. if you put oil on then you are starting the cycle all over again. the hair even though it has oil on will start to dry out and you may get some damage through breakage

Another product that will cause the same problem is silicones. These fall into two groups - water soluble and non water soluble. Theses can form a buildup on the shaft and then you have created another seal to prevent moisture and nutrients from getting in. To name one non water soluble silicone 'Cyclomethicone' .. now go and check out your cowboy magic and have a look what the first ingredient is on the list

I am not against people using what ever they wish to on their horses .. I just thought you should know what the products really do

I hope that helps.

Baby oil is fine for chipendales though .. see I never could get through an entire thread being serious LOL!!

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just some things that are good for your hair, or your horses hair :
If you can do a protein treatment at least 3 times a week. you wouldn't want to do it more than that as too much of a good thing is actually a bad thing. (so for human hair that if you wash every day use a moisture rich conditioner on the other days)

DEIONIZED WATER - Purified water that has had all minerals and chemicals removed. (this is a better ingredient than water 'aqua' that is used in a lot of products)
hydrolyzed keratin protein - this is actually one of the ingredients in Mega-Tek
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Wheat Oligosaccharides: this vegetable derived complex exhibits a unique and powerful moisture-balancing action that enables protein to control the moisture content of the hair.
Panthenol - It enhances the strength of hair and increases the resistance to breakage. It conditions without buildup and prevents damage caused by overheating and overdrying of hair and scalp. Panthenol nourishes hair by replenishing its level in the hair and imparts long lasting moisturization. Panthenol can also thicken hair by up to 10% (try and get a conditioner with this in)
CITRIC ACID - Fruit acid that adjusts Ph and tightens hair cuticle, adding brightness to hair color
Mucopolysaccharides - used to add body, moisture and shine to hair.

things to avoid
petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin
Cetearyl methicone not soluble in water
Cetyl Dimethicone not soluble in water
Cyclomethicone not soluble in water
Cyclopentasiloxane not soluble in water
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine): often appears on labels as Cocamide DEA and are commonly found in cleansers, shampoos and body washes as an emulsifier and foaming agent. According to a 1998 research study by the National Toxicology Program, these chemicals affect hormone function and are known to produce cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines in laboratory animals. The FDA is currently evaluating the link between DEA and cancer in humans
.....and MR SHEEN (for your furniture)!!! that is a wax ... which means that turtle wax is out also (thats for cars).. so is bees wax, candle wax, leg wax and ear wax .. ewwwww

[freedom32]

Very Informative!
I am still hoping and praying to get my horse Scotch-Guarded, worked well for the sofa
Seriously BB, good info

[Jess!]

Great post!!

So...get a shampoo with Hydrolyzed Keratin? That will make my horses coarse, dry mane and tail silky??

[faroutfax]

Wow great info

[Bailey-Boots]

Originally Posted by freedom32

Very Informative!
I am still hoping and praying to get my horse Scotch-Guarded, worked well for the sofa
Seriously BB, good info

I laughed hard at that one I set the dog off barking LOL!! not good idea at 2am

[Bailey-Boots]

Originally Posted by Jess!

Great post!!

So...get a shampoo with Hydrolyzed Keratin? That will make my horses coarse, dry mane and tail silky??

I will add to the bottom of the top post some things to look for as ingredients that are good that should help with your horse coat.

the same applys to human hair also with all this information. (apart from the chest hair of the chipendales of course)

[Chester]

Can always count on you to come up with the goods.

I see you didn't mention some peoples favourite Mr Sheen as being in the good for hair list. Just can't understand that one.

[Bailey-Boots]

Just for you chester .. I added in Mr Sheen LOL

some people look at the $ before the ingredients

[wyldterv]

Good info BB... Quit scaring the poor lil doggie though

[blackhorse49]

Thanks for taking the time to put that post together, BaileyBoots. Now I'm dying to know what your favorite brands are. I see you are from England, but perhaps you like some products that are also available in the US???