Filth build-up on tails - how to remove?

[Angelbones]

...and I don't just mean a dirty tail that needs a good wash!

I've washed my horse's tail 3 x today, in different products to try to get off a sort of greasy brown coating that is on individual hairs within the tail, like an extra layer which you can scrape off one by one by pinching between your finger nails, but I can't do the whole tail that way!

I wonder if it is a long term build up from showshine type products from his previous home? I've had him about 9 months and have washed his tail several times before but with field / hunting mud / bad light it was harder to see but in the bright sun of today it was really visible.

So, anyone got any super bright ideas of products I could try? Today I've used Lavender wash, dettol, fairy liquid... He is bay by the way.
And yes, I agree I sound like a bad mummy who hasn't cared for my horse's tail properly, but that's not true, honestly!

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Well, I reckon the Lavendar wash and Dettol will have done minimal to get rid of hard core dirt. Hot soapy water (try an off the shelf decent ish but cheap ish shampoo, like Pantene or Tresemme) and leave to soak for 5 or so minutes - or as long as your arm can hold the bucket up! Do 2 or 3 washes like that and you should start to cut through the grease and grime!

 

[teresagarsden]

Bad Bad mum - only kidding.
How about one of those people shampoos that are for product build up i think mine wash about £2.00.
Good luck

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Use the hottest/warmest water you can manage to soak the tail before you wash it and then to rinse of the shampoo. Only use cold for the final rinse. Agree that you need a proper shampoo though - the lavender wash and dettol really won't shift any grease and grime that has built up.

 

[1275gta]

You need very hot water and lots of soap, if really greasy we use fairy liquid to start with then shampoo and then condition, then use a spray in conditioner which helps to stop it.

 

[milliepops]

eurgh, it's the worst job

. Can you tell what the grot is? My mare gets a white-beigey streak in her (black) tail where she pees on it - although that's probably unlikely with a gelding, I notice that poo stuck on tails has a similar effect.

Short of scraping the residue off, strand by strand

, I have so far found Lynn Russell extra strength shampoo to be the best so far (tried fairy liquid, Gallop stain removing shampoo, and every other concoction I could lay my hands on). There is also a stain remover spray which does a pretty good job but does take a few applications to get rid of the stain.

 

[StarFell]

My lads tail was like that, I washed it today with horse shampoo (can't remember what type it was but it was for show horses with dark coats) and it did the trick. I had to shampoo 3 times though, and really rub it in.

 

[Britestar]

Put on a pair of Marigolds then then rub the hair vigorously between them. The friction helps loosen the crud (which I believe to be a mixture of mud and poop

). It also means you can use hotter water (mind the dock!).

We have a delightful creature that leans at the back of his stable and poops thru his tail. We wash it like this to get it out.

This trick also works with white tails that have gone brown. My personal fav to wash with is Tesco cheapo baby shampoo.

 

[CrazyMare]

Get some Napisan - its for washing reusable nappies - gets the mank off. Put it in as hot water as you can, I just chuck it in, don't measure it. Dunk tail to the dock, but not the dock. Hold for as long as you can, repeat if needed.

Condition well with human hair conditioner NOT mane and tail spray.