Mane & Tail Brushes: gently through mane and tail
With mane & tail brushes you look after your horse's mane and tail without pulling out more hair than necessary. The tail in particular grows slowly, and every hair pulled out is missing for a long time. Brushes with widely spaced, flexible bristles glide through knots and remove straw, hay and burrs. Mane and tail stay full and well kept, and in summer your horse can use its tail properly against flies.
Brushing without losing hair
Always start at the bottom of the tail, at the ends, and work your way up section by section. Hold the hair firmly with your other hand so that there is no pull on the dock. A mane spray applied beforehand makes the hair smoother and the brush glides more easily. Loosen large knots with your fingers first. Many riders brush the tail only when it is dry and pre-treated, and otherwise simply separate it by hand.
Brush or comb?
For everyday use, a mane brush with widely spaced bristles is the gentler choice. Wooden brushes and dandy brushes clean dust thoroughly from the mane and crest. Combs with a handle are good for parting, laying the mane over and getting it ready for plaiting. Pulling combs, on the other hand, are meant for shortening and thinning, not for daily care.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I brush the tail?
It is best to brush the tail only now and then, for example once a week or before a show. In everyday life it is enough to loosen coarse dirt with your fingers. That way the tail stays thicker.
How do I get matted knots out of the mane?
Spray the matted area generously with a mane spray and leave it to work for a moment. Then loosen the knot from the outside in with your fingers, and only go through it with the brush afterwards. Tugging or cutting is rarely necessary.
Why is my horse rubbing its mane bald?
Rubbing can have many causes, for example insects, sweet itch, mites or scurf. Keep the crest and dock clean and watch when the rubbing happens. If the skin is broken or the itching is severe, discuss the cause with your vet.
For a full mane and a thick tail
For many horse lovers, mane and tail are a real eye-catcher, but they need patience. A brush with flexible, widely spaced bristles loosens knots without pulling at the skin and is easy to use even on thick baroque manes. Models with a wooden handle feel pleasant in the hand, while rubberised handles do not slip. On horses that spend a lot of time in the field, burrs and straw quickly get caught in the tail. A dandy brush cleans the crest and removes dust and scurf at the roots. For a neat parting or before plaiting, you reach for a comb with a handle. It is best always to work from the bottom up and hold the hair firmly as you go. With a little mane spray beforehand every brush glides more easily, and your horse stays relaxed. That way mane and tail keep their fullness.