Tail washing

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tatty_v

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When plaiting my gelding's tail last weekend, the main part was lovely and white but the strands from under the dock were greasy and discoloured. I have a vague recollection that when we were taught to wash tails, we were taught to avoid the dock area. I always assumed this was in case shampoo wasn't rinsed properly and caused irritation. Is there any reason why I shouldn't (gently!) wash the underside so long as I rinse it well? Any other tips on how to get it clean?! Thanks :)
 
tatty_v said:
When plaiting my gelding's tail last weekend, the main part was lovely and white but the strands from under the dock were greasy and discoloured. I have a vague recollection that when we were taught to wash tails, we were taught to avoid the dock area. I always assumed this was in case shampoo wasn't rinsed properly and caused irritation. Is there any reason why I shouldn't (gently!) wash the underside so long as I rinse it well? Any other tips on how to get it clean?! Thanks :)
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I wash the dock area if it needs it. I just rinse well.

I find the best thing to clean a tail is washing up liquid. I've used purple shampoo but I find the washing up liquid better. It cuts through the grease and gets it nice and white. I sometimes follow it up with conditioner. It makes it easy to comb your fingers through.
 
I dont think i've ever heard that before . . . i stick the whole tail in a bucket sponge water from the top of the dock and lather up all over and just rinse thoroughly. I use baby shampoo followed by cheapie human condition on the bottom (non dock) part.
 
I've just discovered that Tesco everyday value shampoo is great! And warm water.

This was Saturday's result.
26067135_2036753789913700_2224611214707654656_n.jpg


If I was going out somewhere posh I'd do a rinse in purple shampoo just to get it super sparkly.
 
Thanks guys - think the retro advice came from my well-thumbed Lucinda Green Young Rider book from many moons ago - clearly things have moved on since then! :D
 
Blimey ail that tail is beautiful is it a mare or gelding and is there only one choice of value shampoo which did you use. I can not imagine my mare's tail that good but would like to try.
 
Maybe getting confused with not washing anything from the bottom of the tail bone upwards in winter, unless you really have to eg for a show or to remove diarrhoea, because the water from the hose is cold so it's not nice for the horse.
 
hobo said:
Blimey ail that tail is beautiful is it a mare or gelding and is there only one choice of value shampoo which did you use. I can not imagine my mare's tail that good but would like to try.
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Thanks!
Gelding, and that wave is natural! It's a great tail but it's so thick the hair falls down when he lifts it so it gets dirty (poo/mud/sand) very quickly. This shows the before: [video]https://photos.google.com/u/1/photo/AF1QipNsxqMOQ7QZmDQSVrhmlpNem80nmSHeVc3qEbwC[/video] and was about a week after it was last done.

It's this one: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/256354822

I always wet/lather using warm water, which definitely helps.
 
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