How to Make Your Horse's Tail Soft

A horse's tail serves several purposes, including swatting flies away during the summer and helping keep the animal's backside warmer in the winter. When not bathed and brushed often and properly, a horse's tail will become tangled and clotted with mud and manure, rendering it ineffective and unattractive. Washing and brushing a horse's tail will help keep it soft, shiny and ready for any type of weather.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse brush
  • Mild horse shampoo
  • Human conditioner
  • Horse tail detangler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush out the horse's tail with a horse brush. Starting at the top of the tail, brush out the entire tail until you reach the tips. Use a sturdy horse brush that will remove any tangles, dirt or horse manure.

    • 2

      Wash the horse's tail with a mild horse shampoo, which contains no dyes or perfumes. Wet the tail with warm water and gently work in the shampoo. Rinse with warm water.

    • 3

      Soak the horse's tail with a coating of regular human hair conditioner, paying attention that you do not get the conditioner on the horse's skin, as it could cause irritation. Allow the conditioner to remain for three to five minutes before rinsing with warm water. The conditioner will not harm the horse's hair and will make it softer and will cut down on any breakage.

    • 4

      Brush the horse's tail again.

    • 5

      Spray or rub a coating of horse tail detangler into the tail to lubricate the hair, making it softer, smoother and easier to brush.