Good nutrition and gentle grooming will help keep your horse’s mane and tail healthy. Shampoos and conditioners made especially for horses can help add polish when you are showing. And, pulling, trimming, braiding, banding and banging are all part of grooming for horse shows. But sometimes, you want something extra or to have a little fun. Here’s how to add some wow to your horse’s mane and tail.
Hair Extensions
Everyone loves a full, flowing tail, but not every horse has one. Extensions are a quick way to add fullness to a skimpy tail. You can buy these ready-made or custom made. They are braided into the center of the horse’s natural tail. While it’s usual to match your horse’s natural tail color, there’s no reason why you can’t add in other colors for fun. You can also purchase fabulously fake hair extensions in a rainbow of bright colors and light-up strands that clip in.
How to Get Curls
You’ll probably notice that when you remove your horse’s braids after a show, you end up with frizzy curls. The frizz will eventually fall out, or can be brushed down with water to get your horse’s mane back to normal. But you might actually want curls. One website suggests that curled pony manes are a thing, and if you own a horse like a Bashkir Curly, you may want to enhance the natural curl of its mane and tail. You’ll want sleeker, in-control curls that are less frizzy than that post-show do. Don’t take your curling iron out to the barn. Your horse’s hair will dry out quickly if you iron it. And curling irons are hot, which is a hazard in a stable, and around a horse that may be squirmy. You won't want you or your horse scorched.
An easier way to get actual curls is to use rag rollers. Rag rollers are an old fashioned method to put curls in human hair before they invented fancy rollers with pins and clips. You’ll need rags—thin strips of sturdy fabric about 2 inches wide and 12 inches long. Starting at the bottom of the mane or tail hairs, wrap the hair around the fabric strip and start rolling. When you reach near the top, tie the ends of the fabric strip so you have a neat little bundle of hair. Now wet the bundle down and leave it to dry. Once dry, take out the rag rollers, and finger comb the hairs. If you comb or brush them, you’ll end up with frizz.
How to Get Waves
Waves are easier to achieve than curls, and they look more natural. Many draft breeds and breeds like Welsh Ponies, Morgans and Canadians will have naturally wavy and full manes. Creating waves is done by braiding the mane. Dampen the mane either before or after braiding and let it dry. The larger that braid, the longer and wider the wave will be. Small tight braids will result in little waves that might end up frizzy. Brush the mane with a wide tooth comb or finger comb to even the waves out.
How to Get Straight Hair
Straight manes and tails can be achieved by combing out all the tangles, shampooing and conditioning, and then towel drying, pulling the mane straight as you go. Once dry, gently brush the hairs smooth with a fine bristled brush. Grooming sprays or hair oils can help keep the hairs smooth. Leave your hot flat iron in the house. These might be hard on your horse’s hairs, since it’s already exposed to a lot of sun, wind and grit that can be drying.
How to Add Color
Color can be added temporarily to your horse’s manes and tails with no-sugar added drink crystals, or with a product made for horses. Don’t try food coloring — it’s much harder to get out for some reason. Dyes made for humans aren’t a great idea either.
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