Tackling the winter tail!

ohdearme

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Hi!

I'm planning to do a tail makeover on my new mare tomorrow, and was just wondering if anyone had good tips? The tail is very long (definitely needs a trim!) and has been ignored for so long that it is just a mass of muddy dreadlocks! Not even sure what colour it is!!

I don't have any fancy products, other than a basic detangler, and no time to buy any for tomorrow, so the current plan is: wash the mud out of the bottom with fairy liq & water, towel dry, spray with detangler (and a splash of baby oil, I've heard?) & brush through, then trim - is this the best?
Should I plait it afterwards, so it won't get messy when I ride & overnight?

Her field is an absolute bog, so was planning to cut it relatively short so it doesn't just sit in mud all day - is this ok?

Thanks! :)
 
I would cut it first - I did this with my mares last week and the worst part is always the bottom so get it chopped off and then deal with the rest. Plenty of fairy liquid (don't get it on her dock or skin though) then detangler and yes use oil if you have got it - I usually brush pig oil through mine but a bit of baby oil will do the same thing. Brush well and plait loosely once it is dry if you want to keep it tidy, or just trim it nice and short so it is out of the mud :) good luck!
 
Clip the worst of it off then wash it in hot water with baby shampoo until the water runs clear. I also use a lot of leave in conditioner after shampooing, then when tail is dry I use mane & tail spray. Well, I do when I actually wash or brush his tail, which is rare... Mostly I just keep it short enough that it doesn't get into too bad a state.
 
If you can't get a brush through it until after you've washed it I'd wash it first.
That way the hair will be combed through and all be the same length.
I guess you could cut the worst off a little longer than you'd like it then do a final trim once the hair is washed.
 
Hi cutting the tail too short can reduce the effect she will need when the flies are back ( being unable to swish them off) Coconut oil is the best product I have found to keep tail and mane tangle free ....if its set warm a little (enough to do the job) and run through mane/tail leave it to saturate a bit then work tangles out gently by hand (also will prevent so much mud sticking) before brushing back to beauty ... great natural product supplier including coconut oil scarletanddobbin.com I trust this helps
 
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