Mane and tail shine and detangler

[Roz Morris]

Has anyone heard of using spray-on furniture polish for this instead of the pricey preparations you get in tack shops? I haven't done it myself, but I have heard of people using it on their own hair if it looks in need of a wash (sounds disgusting, I know), and it sounds like it has the same effects - degreasing, restoring lightness and detangling. Anyone heard of that?

[Silvia]

Yes, a girl at my barn uses it on her horse and it seems to work. I never tried it myself because usually those liquids are brown or yellow and I have a grey.

[Carolynn]

I read somewhere that instead of using a mane and tail comb, use a human wire hairbrush to comb out the mane and tail. It is supposed to go through easier and pull out less hair. I haven't tried is as I don't have a horse yet. I do help groom at an arabian farm around the corner from me but haven't mentioned it to the owner as she is teaching me to care for horses so that when I do get one or some I will know what to do. (2-3 yrs. from now) Let me know if you try it so that when the time comes I will know to use that instead of the comb.

[Sonia]

I've not heard or tried using furniture polish myself, but I would be wary of using things like this in case it had anything harmful in it - Maybe I'm just playing into the hands of the manufacturers?

[marge]

Have found that Sauve (for kids)Detangling Spray, costs about $1.95 for 10.5 ozs. works great for my horses. I spray in on after I rinse out the shampoo. I use it too!

[merlon]

I sometimes use Baby oil on my ponies manes and tail.

Pour a SMALL amount of oil on your hands rub your hands together and then run your fingers through your Horse/Ponies mane/tail then comb through this is also good for showing as it really picks up the highlights in the mane, but always use sparingly.

[Allie]

I know Show Sheen is one of those expensive store preperations you are trying to avoid, but it really does work. If you have an extra sprayer lying around, you can get a refill quart for around $7. Spray it on liberally and let it dry. It will detangle the hair and make it shiny at the same time. The effects last about a week, although you may have to use it more often if you want the tail to be completely tangle free. I used about every 3 days during the summer when I was motivated and brushing my horse's tail every day.

Allie

[arabian_lover]

I love using show sheen on the horses at the barn where I ride!

[EventPony]

I think Show Sheen works really well on my horses tail and mane, it makes them really shiny and slick, but I dont use it on her coat b/c silicone can clog pores if you dont wash it off, so I use Vetrolin shine on her coat.

[H & Bailey]

Hi I know someone that used baby oil and the pony looked lovely,but does it go sticky or slimy.
carolynn..i use a normal vented type of human hair brush on my ponys and it sames loadsa time when grooming especially if the horses manes are thick!

[Mehitabel]

be careful using showsheen/ baby oil on manes, as it can make your reins slippery. the hairbrush thing works well though. also, coconut shine from the body shop is fantastic.

[Pintaloosa]

I heard that show sheen can dry out hair and I experienced that with my last horse. Cowboy magic is supposed to have a product that works just as good but it conditions the coat, mane, and tail. I use Hoofmaker on my horses tails. After putting it in I braid the tail and put it in a tail bag. The Appaloosas I used to show all had thick tails that drug the ground. The only problem is that it's a little sticky. My two year old throws a fit when I braid his tail so I've been using healthy horse hair care moisturizer on it and his tail is so soft. You can buy a quart of that and it'll last you a long time cause you add water to it.

I have an even cheaper suggestion for you - elbow grease.

Good old fashioned hard work with a body brush and let the horse's natural oils do the job for you. It takes a while.

Wash the horse's mane and tail to start, then body brush though when it is dry, it may be time consuming but it saves putting chemicals onto your horse, I have worked with several horse's that have had varying degrees of skin reactions to chemicals.

Body brush the mane in the same way as the tail start by the ears and brush a small section (holding the remainder of the mane out of the way with your other hand) then let a little more mane out brush that and so on down the entire length of the mane. Make sure you brush the crest itself to remove any scurf and grease.

The result is a shiny tangle free mane and tail

[Horsegirl_02]

Some tips on saving money!!!

-One time I didn't have my brush for the mane and tail with me when i was grooming my ponie. I happened to have my regular hair brush with me, and i used that. It worked great!! Now i use that instead of buying an expensive horse brush!

-For those who use alot of leg wraps, a bandage roller is woth the investment. They are inexpensive and sold at most tack shop.

-If you are alays pulling your horses tail, save those long peice and wad them together to make a great scrubbing pad.!!!

good luck everyone...any qustions..email me or post.