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Discussion on Matted tail underneath dock
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 9:37 pm:
Lara's tail is matted underneath her dock, up high. I tried to reach under there with a gloved hand but can not pull it apart. Plus she clamps down hard. I have tried sticking a hair brush under there. tried everything but cannot get it.
I have saturated it with excaliber tonight and gunna let it sit until morning... any one have ideas? I dont want to have to use the clippers unless absolutely necessary.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 12:11 am:
Is it matted with manure or just knotted up and matted from rubbing or whatever? The Excalibar should help if it's manure. Then, will she let you rinse her under her tail with warm water? If so, I'd do that then put on lots of leave in conditioner, and then use some Cowboy Magic or something similar to pull the knots apart If you can get your fingers under there. If you work really gradually, maybe letting her eat treats while you're working to keep her mind off what you are doing.
I've been working on Waseem's tail for a week, so I sympathize. When he was at the trainers one of the girls there french-braided it and put it in a tail bag. The braid was so tight I've had a heck of a time getting it undone and his tail untangled. It was like one big, gobby, ball of brillo.
I washed the braid and saturated it with leave in conditioner and left it for a day. Then I used almost a full tube of Cowboy Magic and worked it apart strand by strand starting at the bottom and working my way up. I could only work on it a little at a time because it was very time consuming, plus I think maybe it made his tail sore since it had been braided so tightly. Tonight I used more conditioner and finally got it all untangled.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 6:54 am:
Hi Leslie,
I use Coyboy Magic too. Another product that may help get that tail untangled (assuming you can get at it) is Vetrolin Shine Spray. I believe there is silicon in it, so it makes the hair slippery and easier to untangle.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 9:52 am:
Thanks 
I will try the cowboy magic today. She last been itching lately. I think she was in season. So its a mixture of all things ichy. I could tell that it started to get painful last night after me trying to pry it apart. Hopefully the Excaliber loosened it up.
Poor waseem! Im glad you didnt have to cut it out! Cant imagine trying to grow that out again.
...when pumpkin was at the trainers, they clipped a 7 inch bridle path....Grrrrr. I prefer 1 to 2 inches on, her at the most. So now we gotta go thru that growing out stage LOL
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 11:27 am:
hmmmm the excaliber didnt work. I saturated again, this time with Cowboy magic. Still couldnt get it loose. Its getting tender from all the pulling. I think I will have to hubby back her up to the stall door and I will pull her tail over the top of it. and then I will feel safer working on it. Not that I think she would ever kick me. But I prefer to handle every horse as if they could. Poor thing likes it when I massage the products in but gets sore when I try to pull it apart. flinching and wont stand.
I may end up having to get some safety scissors. Crank that tail up and cut it right down the middle. CRIKEY
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 3:25 pm:
Infusium leave in conditioner(for people) worked well on Sam when he had a matted tail
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 5:26 pm:
When the manure results in several layers of coating overtime on each hair, it is necessary to put a softening agent on for a day or so.
I had some luck putting Vaseline on and letting it work.
Eventually you also have to get the Vaseline and stain from that off as well.
I've let the Vaseline work and then shampooed, conditioned and scraped the manure off the hair shafts with my fingernails.
Each step loosens up a bit more. Just keep repeating.
Ugly to do, but it works.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 5:44 pm:
I guess my biggest problem is not the mat, necessarily, its the fact that I cant hold her tail up high enough or for long enough to get at the mat.
Its up, completely underneath her dock, up by her private parts and she can clamp that thing down. LOL
I should also note that I have a sprained wrist, and thats not helping.
Cheers tho
L
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 10:02 pm:
Well, I'd be super careful using this product in that area, but when all else fails, I've had huge success even on horse dreadlocks with WD40. Sad, but true. Not that I'd want to stand behind her and spray....
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 10:34 pm:
I use a seam-ripper. I remember them from Home Ec class! I use it for long mane knots that I have given up on. You can easily cut a few hairs at a time and untangle a lot easier. You don't have to cut the whole thing, just "chip away" at it until you can get a brush through. Start at the bottom.
I like the idea of hanging the tail over a wall! Brilliant!
Something like Show Sheen or Laser Sheen works well if you spray it on then let it dry. Makes the hair slick. Then use the seam ripper to get the hairs that are wrapped horizontally. Comb as you go, work your way up.
Erika
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Member:
jowidner
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - 12:00 am:
Yes, show sheen or laser sheen work really well for knots and tangles. Can you see the skin underneath the mat to make sure that that skin is okay and not broken?
If the matted hair is not bothering her when your'e not trying to detangle, just go slow and take your time working on the knot. If she has a favorite "itchy spot" that she likes for you to scratch on her rump or hindquarters, perhaps you could combine or alternate scratching with detangling. It may help her to more relaxed about working with her tail.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - 7:31 am:
I was thinking along Erika's line above and cutting straight through the mat that pins it under the tail and at least you have fixed the main problem of getting to it.
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - 10:53 am:
Great idea guys
I will pick up a seam ripper and use some show sheen too.
Thanks for the brainstorming
L
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Member:
lvmyhors
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - 8:00 pm:
I've ussed WD-40 for years on knots and tangles and it also works great in removing burrs! I like the idea of using a seam ripper too, very clever! Good luck and be careful!
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