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Discussion on How to grow longer mane and tail
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Member:
Ramonah
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 27, 2004 - 1:34 pm:
My question is how to grow a longer mane and tail. I have a 10 year old quarter horse who's mane stays at the same length, no matter what I've done. I would like to show in western riding and reining. I've heard the 'leave it alone, don't brush it method'. This one I hate the most. It creates terrible tangles, and looks bad too. I've tried washing it and brushing it once a week. Does anyone have a tried and true way? My gelding gets good quality hay and a vitamin supplement. He is stalled except for 4 hours a day. Then turned out alone.
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 27, 2004 - 6:21 pm:
Ramona, my only experience with mane/tail growth has been purely by coincidence. My mare has very soft feet and, at the advice of my farrier, she was put on Farrier's Formula a year ago.
There's been dramatic improvement in her feet and coincidentally her mane, tail and feathers (she's a Clydesdale) have doubled in volume, have gotten longer and are glossy and soft.
The FF is the only change in her diet in the past year and I freely admit this NOT a scientific study. It could be nothing but a happy coincidence as she is a rescue horse who suffered near starvation and the new growth could be a natural result of good, daily care and regular exercise.
It would be interesting to know if anyone else has used FF and seen similar 'side benefits'.
dyd
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 27, 2004 - 8:53 pm:
We have Arabians, and one of our stallions has a mane that is down past his knees. All of our horses have pretty long manes. I'm sure some of it is genetics. However, diet certainly plays a big part. Other than that, we wash and condition their manes every few weeks, even in winter. When we brush we use a leave in conditioner. If there are tangles (and we get plenty as they all get turned out) we use Cowboy magic and our fingers to slowly work out the tangles. Also, when you brush work out tangles with your fingers first, then brush from the bottom working your way up. Don't just start at the top of the mane and pull the brush all the way through to the bottom in one stroke. And, I use a hair brush for people, not a name comb. The ones that have really long manes get their manes banded. I don't braid unless we need to for a show. I just gather a strand of hair(like you were braiding) and wrap small rubber bands every six to eight inches down the length of the strand. I find this keeps them from getting tangled, but are loose enough that if they catch their mane on something they will just loose a few strands of hair, not a big chunk.
I'm sure everyone has their own methods. Just make sure your horse is getting all the proper minerals and vitamins, too.
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Member:
Ramonah
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Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 2004 - 3:26 am:
Sara, do you brush your horses mane daily with grooming? Or do you do it every few weeks with their bathing?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 2004 - 6:49 am:
Ramona if you would go fill out your profile so we can evaluate your horses overall condition and care we may e able to make better suggestions.
DrO
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 2004 - 11:26 am:
Almost daily. I have 12 horses here at home that I care for so nothing gets done daily (except feed, etc.) for everyone!
I use those brushes with the bristles set in a rubber base, then a finer brush if I want them to look really good. I don't use human hair care products on them either. If you live in a moist climate you probably wouldn't have to condition as much as we do. It's terribly dry here and they are out a lot, so I condition, condition, condition - not just their manes and tails, but I always spray conditioner on their bodies at a couple of times a week. too.
I'd think the first thing to do would be to go over his feeding program including maybe having his feed anylized to make sure it has proper amounts of key vitamins and minerals. But, also take a look at his parents and grand parents to see what kind of manes/tails they have. Some breeds/strains within breeds just don't grow much mane and tail hair. However, even if his mane and tail don't get really long, you can help it look a lot thicker and prettier.
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Member:
kerrief
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 - 11:16 pm:
On another site...one recommendation, as far as products go, suggested using a 50/50 mixture of baby oil and listerine. I haven't used it yet. Has anyone had experience with this mix?
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 2:04 am:
Hi Kerrie,
You might want to start a new discussion. The formula you asked about was once suggested to me for the treatment for itchy tails. It would help to stop further damage but not necessarily make the hair grow.
Cynthia
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