How to Improve a Horse's Mane and Tail

A horse's mane and tail can be beautiful physical assets when properly cared for and, more importantly, maintained. It is easy to improve unattractive or unhealthy hair with a few simple tools. Horse owners should begin by removing knots and dirt before protecting the hair from further damage; they can also apply products to further condition unhealthy roots. Supplements can also be added to a horse's diet to improve its mane and tail.

Things You'll Need

  • Detangling product
  • Trimming shears (if necessary)
  • Mane and tail shampoo and conditioner
  • Leave-in conditioner
  • Mane tamer and tail bag
  • Flax seed and biotin
  • Garlic supplement (if necessary)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Detangle the mane and tail. Use a detangling product and your fingers to work through knots, tangles, and mats. Work from the tips of the hair toward the root to remove tangles with minimum damange to the mane or tail. Carefully use trimming shears to help work through knots if the hair is too tangled for a detangling product and your fingers.

    • 2

      Wash the mane and tail to remove dirt, excess oils and bacteria about once every two weeks. Use a shampoo specially formulated for horse hair and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Follow the shampoo with a conditioner. When the mane and tail have been shampooed, conditioned, and all the suds and residues have been rinsed, apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair. After heavy workouts, rinse the mane and tail with water to remove sweat.

    • 3

      Protect the hair after detangling and cleaning. Braid manes in a running braid style, which helps to protect against sun damage and broken ends. When using braids to protect hair, re-braid daily or every other day. Use a mane tamer, spandex hood or fly sheet to fully protect the mane. Braid tails straight down. Use tail bags or fly sheets that slightly extend over the top of the tail for further protection.

    • 4

      Provide your horse with extra supplements that promote healthy mane and tail growth. Feed the horse flax seed, to help grow stronger hair, and biotin, a vitamin that promotes cell growth; both are commercially available. Give these supplements to the horse according to the manufacturer's instructions.