How to get a wavy tail look neat and not tangled?

[Dubsie]

Daughter always looses a point for 'tangled tail' or 'tail not brushed' at PC rallies. This is despite it being washed, pressed and ironed beforehand. Unfortunately said pony has one of those au naturel native tails that is slightly wavy and although thickish isn't thick enough and always looks a mess , it is neatly trimmed but always looks tangled when it isn't at all, and it does tend to curl round itself quite quickly anyway. His mane is the opposite problem - far too thick to plait but actually looks great with the waves in it as on his mane all the waves line up and look neat.

We've tried all sorts: comb out and wash and leave to dry naturally, wash and plait till needed, liberal use of conditioner, baby oil, mane and tail conditioner and sprays (I think we have shares in Lynne Russell and Canter products, daughter makes me buy something else each time we go to a tack shop), and being left plaited till the last minute before brushing out, me putting the comb through it while she's in the queue for tack and turnout check. Am almost tempted to try hair straighteners but don't own any.

Anyone got any tips for the perfect tail?

 

[Vizslak]

I have this issue although my lads tail is very very thick as well, but still creates those messy ringlets that look untidy and unbrushed. Latest trick that seems to be working fabulously at the moment is wash normally and then use megatek http://www.tailgator.co.uk/tg/pages/eqyssmegatekhorse.html this product and leave it in and let tail dry naturally....warning it seems a bit thick and sticky and its very tempting to wash it off...dont just leave it, it doesnt dry sticky at all. Brush out tail when dry. I've been very impressed with the long lasting effect, my lads tail doesnt look tangly now and is very easy to brush out. I washed it and tried this method about a month ago and it still looks great.

 

[Gilbey]

We have two horses with wavy tails! We wash and condition it with my hair stuff(!! fructis at present), then use Avon Quick Touch which does NOT wash out. Leave to dry for a bit, then plait it overnight and in the morning at the show if it's still tangly then either baby oil or Canter. We always have remarks on our dressage sheets...'what a lovely tail'....thought they should be looking at the dressage not his rear end!! Anyways up he always does really well! Hope this helps.

 

[Angelbones]

....GHDs....?

 

[missponymad]

Straighten but make sure the tail has been washed and go throung it with a brush so it spreads the hair out and it will stay straighter for longer

 

[ThePony]

I wash my girls in head and shoulders, then rinse well. When it has the soap on I work the worst knots out with my hands. After rinsing when it is still damp I spray it with NAF mane and tail all through, then brush it out with a plastic curry comb. Loosely plait below the dock until we arrive and are good to go (she poos down it otherwise - not v helpful!) and just brush through again with a plastic curry comb - stays detangled for absolutly ages!

 

[brown tack]

I used to work at a top showing and gue to the nature of the breed and there 10foot tails we used to dry our tails with a hair drier, then loosly plait, the only thing that used to work with us. However it catched on and at comps you would get lines of grooms blow dring tails= mad i know

 

[Dubsie]

Thanks, I think we had some Megatek somewhere so will try that, and know an Avon lady so can try that one too. As we now have power down in the stables I can try the blow dry method as well. Not quite sure what the pony will make of the hairdryer though!