Clean your horse’s urine-stained tail
- Mares, and some geldings, present a few special grooming (and handling) considerations when they have a urine stained tail. Some mares’ tails are a urine-soaked, sticky mess that can be a nightmare to deal with. Geldings can also end up with a yellow sticky mess if their stalls are not cleaned regularly and urine spots are removed.
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Tips on managing a dirty tail
- Remember that the quality of your horse’s hair that grows from the tailbone results from diet, genetics, climate, and overall health. No product can “create” the perfect tail, but some can help us groom it to make it better and less likely to break.
- Also, remember that daily care for a few minutes a day is much easier than massive, last-ditch efforts when things are horribly sticky, tangled, and stained.
This gelding’s tail is stained and sticky from gross bedding.
Don’t brush a brittle tail
- Start from scratch if you need to and maintain your horse’s tail from there. Create a clean, stain-free tail that is conditioned and “sealed,” and then you can begin your daily care. Start by using a mild shampoo and conditioner followed by a white vinegar rinse/soak. Use a gentle whitening shampoo if you like.
- You may be tempted to go crazy with laundry detergent. However, these detergents are made for your pants and saddle pads, not your horse. Detergents can make the tail hairs more brittle and prone to picking up stains.
- Shampoo, condition, and white vinegar again. And again if you need to. You can do the white vinegar treatment easily by dunking the tail into a bucket and holding it there for a few minutes,
- Follow with a detangler. I like to use one when the hair is damp, and I will only pick out and/or brush the tail when it’s almost dry. Grooming oils are wonderful for adding shine, protection, and conditioning to your horse’s tail.
NOW you have a basis to start daily care.
- For some mares, these options will help you prevent urine stains and urine damage to the tail:
- Tail bags. I’ve never been a huge fan, but for some horses, they are wonderful. Never use them above the tailbone, and undo them every day. You will compromise fly control, and some horses don’t tolerate them at all. For some mares, they act as a urine-collecting bag, and you have more stains than without the bag.
- Braid the tail. And I don’t mean for a show or below the tailbone. I’m talking about the shorter hairs that grow from the tailbone. You can see them when you (and your mare) hold the tail out parallel to the ground.
- These sections of that hair fall down are the most likely to be soaked with urine and therefore brittle and subject to breakage….see the cycle? Consider doing a very loose French braid with these sections to keep them out of the urine stream. Keeping it loose helps prevent tail scratching and rubbing and helps your mare stay comfortable.
These shorter tail hairs are often coated in urine.
A loose braid can “contain” the shorter hairs, and a loose braid is usually not itchy!
Just braid down to the end of the tailbone. This saves the bulk of the tail for fly protection. I use a sturdy human hair ponytail holder for extra durability.
- Gently wash the tail as needed, followed by a horse conditioner and white vinegar. The vinegar helps with stain removal, removes odors, and rinses away any shampoo or conditioner residue. Keeping the tail untangled and clean daily will help you prevent stains and breakage.
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The jute side buffs to add shine, the other side is fuzzy for lifting dust and applying fly sprays and grooming products.
For all colors - to add shine and help lift stains.
Spot removing, deodorizing, dust busting, shine adding spray.
Brighten duns, palominos, and golden colors.
For dark bays, black points, and black horses
This waterproof tail bag is especially great for white and gray tails.
Gentle and effective detangling for your horse's mane and tail.
Protect your horse's tail during travel.
Cover scars and enhance your horse's color with this medium brown shade.
Omega 3's plus gut health support in a delicious cold milled flax formula. It's delicious and it will turn your horse's coat into a mirror.
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