Grooming your horse properly requires time and patience in order to keep your equine friend looking shiny and brand new. There are, however, a few dos and don’ts when grooming your horse’s mane that’ll not only save you time but eliminate any unnecessary frustrations that may come up.
Do:
- Use a conditioning shampoo:
The texture of a horse’s mane is very different to that of a human, which is why you need a specific type of equine horse shampoo that’ll feed your horse’s mane and conditions it to prevent the majority of tangles from wear and tear.
- Feed your horse a healthy diet:
Everything starts from the inside, so be sure to feed your horse a well-balanced and healthy diet containing vitamins, amino acids and plenty of well-deserved minerals.
- Apply a detangling spray:
Wearing gloves when applying detangler will not only protect your hands from the but will ensure your fingers run through the hair with ease and detangle more thoroughly.
- Opt for a leave-on conditioner:
A little extra softness won’t hurt. As with human hair, getting tangles won’t happen as easily when using a leave-in conditioner. Rather prevent tangles than try getting them out.
- Trim thistles from your pasture:
Getting thistles stuck in your horse’s mane is a nightmare when trying to brush them out. Rather trim your pasture from unwanted thistles once they grow to prevent bigger problems trying to get rid of them later on.
Don’t:
- Wash the mane too often:
Washing your horse’s mane too often will strip the hair of its natural oils, making tangles easier to occur and more difficult to get rid of.
- Use a brush:
It’s a lot healthier for the mane to use your hands to get knots out than using a brush. Using a brush can cause breakage, which is the last thing you want. Use a detangler at the same time.
- Ignore your horse’s behaviour:
Your horse rubbing against a tree or post may indicate left-over soap from the last bath, irritating the skin and causing extreme itching. It may also be an indication of parasites, infections or fungus. Rubbing can cause damage to the, so be sure to identify the problem as quickly as possible.
Every horse deserves a beautiful, flowy mane that’s free from knots and tangles – which can easily be achieved by following the above quick and easy tips. Frequent mane care will prevent unnecessary breakage and result in a mane any horse owner can be proud of!