Thick, dirty tail

[MrsElle]

Chad arrived on Sunday, I gave him a good groom yesterday, managed to get the brush through his mane and his feathers, but took one look at his tail and chickened out

What is the best method to get the tangles out of a very thick and very dirty cobs tail?

 

[Jay89]

Wash it and then spray lots of detangler on it then brush through it bit by bit, and just stay on top off it.

 

[MrsMozart]

Wash it! Little Cob's tail can be a sight to behold at times

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Lots of dunking in a bucket of water. Conditioner will help. Detangler sprayed on when you've finished.

The first wash will no be pretty lol. Just have to use what you need to get it to an okay state, then try and keep on top of it.

I've found the round headed brush on a handle (don't know it's name!) really good at getting through tails

.

 

[catdragon]

Only way is to wash it. Loads and loads of times with a bucket of water with a little shampoo already in (if you put shampoo ON the tail you'll be there forever washing it out (voice of experience!!) I alternate a "shampoo"bucket with a clear water bucket, last time I did it, it took about 10 buckets...dirty little mare I have ! I then spray in lots of mane/tail conditioner (Lynn Russell's at the moment, but to be honest whatever is cheapest for me as I use so much. I've an oster round headed brush, in fact its SO good I have 2!! It's the only thing I've found that can get through a thick tail. To turn out, I seriously recommend a Tail Gator... keep's my mares tail mud free, and can be left on for days at a time

 

[Kenzo]

I'd have to roll my sleaves up and give it a good old wash (any excuse to get my hands dirty lol

) besides it doesn't take that long, kettle, few buckets of water, some good shampoo and some towels and jobs done in 15 minutes, I'd bob some conditioner on after the shampoo but not around the dock area, will make it a little easier comb through then spray on some Lincoln Total Groom (great as a detangler and of course for the rest of the body) but if your cobs got one of those tails that is a mud magnet and looks like he's got dreadlocks after a few days, spray some of that 7 day mud away which prevents the mud from sticking, great for tails and feathery legs.

 

[kerilli]

wash is the first thing. one good way if it is totally thick and tangled is a few washes, then coat it with baby oil, leave to dry, comb through, should be easy by then. if it's black, can be left like that for a while, but if it's not, will prob need another shampoo!

 

[scotsmare]

Wash it with hibiscrub a couple of times to take the worst of the mank out, then a conditioning type shampoo. Once it's washed slather it in something like coat shine as it will make brushing it out easier.

 

[Damnation]

Wash the tail and put conditioner on but not on the dock.
Give it a bit of a comb through then when the tail is still a bit damp drench it in mane and tail detangler then brush through it. All you can do after that is keep ontop of it. Perhaps plaiting it to avoid knots?
Izzi

 

[MrsMozart]

If it's muddy out there in them there fields, and flies aren't too much of an issue if at all, put the tail into a big plait, or many plaits, but from the end of the dock down, not the usual sort of tail plait!

Helps reduce the amount of mud that gets in and makes it easier to wash in the future, especially if you've put some conditioner/detanger/mud-away on it after the last wash

 

[Theresa_F]

If you don't want to wash it, buy some survivor detangler from tailgator.co.uk - it is the best you can get - and I have tried more or less all of them!

Get a wide tooth comb - preferably one of the detangle types. Use plenty of detangler and then comb through piece by piece - takes ages.

However, if you can wash first and then detangler, this is best.

Once detangled, put in a couple of plaits and then pop into the tailbag you also buy from tailgator and problem solved.

When washing you will need to wash the tail in at least four sections, thick tails have to be done this way to really get them clean. Then apply little bit of detangler and carefully comb through being careful not to pull the hair.

My gypsy cob has a huge tail and I leave two thirds of his tail bagged in summer with the top third out to swish with and bag the whole thing during the muddy months. If you do this, then a very thick tail is very little effort and looks wonderful. I also do this with his mane and forelock.

 

[Carys]

If it's really bad spray loads of detangler in it first and give it a while to soak in then brush a bit with a soft brush which will remove some of the dirt then wash it as suggested and re-spray with lots of detangler. But don't touch anything you don't want to drop!!

 

[ironhorse]

Another vote for Tailgator surivor detangler - as a silicon spray devotee I was a bit sceptical of a lotion in a little bottle, but borrowed some of my friend's and it's amazing! You only need a bit and it makes their tails so silky - has kept my mare's very long tail respectable over the winter.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Would agree with all of the above - have been trying to find a picture of Inca's tail to download! I have to split her tail into three to get it wet through as it won't all fit in a bucket!! It will take a couple of washes to get through it all and to get to all the scurffy bits in the dock but once you do its so worth it!! Lots of baby oil after shampooing - so much cheaper when there is a big tail and also good for rubbing through feathers to keep the mud off in the winter!! Also agree with the round headed Oster tail brush - is the only thing that will go through Inca's!!

I think we should have a gallery of big cobs tails! I was thinking of making tail extensions from Inca's - reckon I could get rid of at least 3/4 of it before anyone would notice!!