tails

[horsy]

tails can be bathed with normal human shampoo. If yur horse has sensitive skin, just dont use it near the top of the tail as it can cause skin irritation and rubbing. As long as you rinse it properly and make sure all of the shampoo has been removed, you should be ok. U can also use conditioner on them. this leaves there tails smelling fresh, and leaves a bit more money in your pocket because you dont have to buy expensive horsy shampoos. :) luv horsy xxx

[Roz Morris]

My yard has always used washing-up liquid for tails and for washing white legs etc. None of the horses ever had a problem with that! You can add conditioner afterwards if you want, but it's not necessary.

[Wally]

The whole point in washing a tail is to remove scurf and dust from the dock, not just the long hairs. If the horse is rubbing after rinsing well it probably ain't a reaction to human shampoo!!

Horses should smell like horses, they have a well developed sense of smell. Making them smell like a flower shop is not doing them any favours, you might think they smell nice. Cheap washing up liquid is as good as anything.

[Sharon H]

Sorry to disagree, but washing up liqiud can be very harsh and strip a lot of the natural oil out of the coat and skin.
It's porbably fine is used once in a while but I personally wouldn't use it on a regular basis,particulary on horses that have a sensitve skin.

[Silvia]

Why wash their tails on a regular basis anyway! I use a wet brush for the dock and from the rest of the tail I pick out mud and straw with my hands. I only wash Muppet's tail for shows and the like.

[Roz Morris]

Absolutely. My horse's tail gets washed once in a blue moon, but it is brushed thoroughly and regularly. They don't get that greasy.

[Wally]

Many of my horses are NEVER bathed, If you must and I do not advocate the washing of horses at all, the cheapest way of removing grease is washing up liquid. Turning out for show requires that you present a horse in a clean dust and grease free condition. I don't think any one here has mentioned washing tails in any sort of routine.

About 5 of our horses got bathed this year for our annual show. They live out all the time and need all the help they can get from dust grease and grime in their coat.

Always read the labels on the products that you pay the earth for with particular claims, you will find that you are buying the same ingredients under a different name.

[horsy]

when i put in this post i didnt mean for everyday use, i meant for shows only. I wouldnt wash her tail regularly as i know it get rid of a lot of natural oils & stuff.