Here at Iron Spring Farm, we love to see our horses with healthy, shiny hair. As with anything worthwhile, it takes time. In this article and accompanying video, Quinnten Alston, sales manager at ISF, shares how we care for our Friesians’ beautiful tails.
Safety First
A Friesian’s tail is often much thicker than other breeds and patience is key, along with safety. Always let the horse know where you are by using both your voice and your body language. Slowly approach the horse from the side to announce your position. Give them a gentle pat to make sure they are comfortable. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend if your horse is nervous or new to having his tail washed.
Wash and Condition
At ISF, we shampoo our Friesians’ manes and tails about once or twice a month, or as necessary for shows or keurings. We begin by wetting the tail with warm water, from the dock to the bottom. Take your time to make sure you wet as much of the hair as possible, using your hands to separate the tail hairs. Using your favorite equine shampoo, start at the top of the tail and work down. Use your hands to massage the shampoo into the dock, breaking up any buildup or flakiness. Work your way down to the bottom of the tail, adding additional water and shampoo as you go. You want to build up a rich lather that covers and is worked through all the hair. Take your time to avoid tangling or breaking any strands. Once the tail has been adequately shampooed, rinse the tail thoroughly until the water runs clear. Next, conditioner. Start at the top and work your way through the entirety of the tail. Use the same method as you did with the shampoo, though less water as you are not trying to build a lather. To finish, thoroughly rinse the conditioner out of the tail, until the water runs clean. Once you have completed rinsing, use a towel to dry the tail as thoroughly as possible. Before you brush out the tail, let it dry completely.
Gentle Brushing
Regular brushing of the tail with the aid of a detangling gel or spray will help ward off breakage and help promote growth. If your horse has a particularly thin tail, you might want to handle it less frequently. Spray the entire tail with your favorite detangling product. This will lessen damaging knots and tangles as you brush out the tail. Always start brushing at the very end of the tail and work your way up, detangling any knots with your fingers to reduce breakage. We trim our tails at about fetlock length to again encourage growth and cleanliness, and to keep the horses from stepping on and pulling out any hair.
Following a consistent plan for your Friesian’s trademark hair is the best approach to keeping them happy, healthy and show ring ready.
Video and Entire ISF Friesian Grooming Videos
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All content provided by Iron Spring Farm is general and for informational purposes only. Content may also not constitute the most up to date information. Nothing in this content is intended to constitute veterinarian advice or to serve as a substitute for consultation with a veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified provider with any questions that you may have about the treatment and care of your horse.
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