Horse Hair Treatment

A horse's mane says a lot about how well the horse is groomed and maintained. Horse hair manes can have broken and chewed-off ends, or may not grow as quickly as you'd like. It's important to care for your horse's mane, whether for horse shows or simply to promote your horse's health. A healthy mane will help keep insects away from your horse's head and neck, where eggs could be deposited.

  1. Shampoo and Condition

    • In warm weather, a horse's mane should be washed approximately every two weeks. Your horse may need washing every week, though, with daily rinses after a workout. If your horse doesn't appear to be itching, you could go as long as a few weeks between shampoos. If your horse lives outdoors, he may need washing only before shows. Monitor your horse's skin condition for buildup or dryness. This will help you determine how often you need to shampoo his mane. Use dry shampoo or spray shampoos in the colder months. Washing your horse's mane will clear away leaves, burrs and oil, which otherwise cause fungi growth. Shampooing will also clean any bacteria that could result in infection. Apply conditioner after shampooing, unless you'll be braiding or banding the mane for a show.

    Brushing

    • Use a mane comb to brush your horse daily. Brush minimally, first detangling knots with your fingers and then following up with the comb. Brush from the tip of the mane to the base, then from the base to the tips, using long sweeps. Make sure to brush the horse's scalp at the base of his mane. This will minimize hair breakage and maximize shine. Use a leave-in conditioner each time you comb the mane to keep it tangle-free.

    Protection

    • If your horse lives outside, keep the mane in a braid to protect it from sun damage. Re-braid the hair weekly to eliminate large knots. Apply a product designed specifically to keep your horse or other horses from nibbling on his mane. A homemade spray treatment can be made using a mixture of hot sauce or cayenne pepper and water.

    Control

    • If your horse's mane tends to be wild, apply diluted hair gel on the mane after combing. Braid the hair in large braids while it's damp, and leave it like that overnight. There are also mane tamers that fit over the horse's mane and around the neck to keep the hair lying straight while it's drying.

    Warnings

    • An unhealthy mane will not only appear neglected, but it can also lead to skin conditions. If dirt, sweat or moisture is trapped in your horse's main, itchy and uncomfortable conditions can result. Your horse may begin to rub his neck against anything he can, resulting in huge chunks of hair being ripped out. The mane may also become tangled as it catches on branches and splinters.