How to get my horse's mane & tail thicker?

Question

I really want to get my horse's mane and tail thicker, but how? I would LOVE to be the one with the horse with the full, perfectly trimmed tail. I own a three year old paint gelding, and his tail is so thin you can pretty much see through it. Lots of amazing colours though. I have tried MTG, works wonders, but I'm looking for some other options that could help too. I've heard that tail bags are good, but if you don't wash your horse's tail first it could cause some serious damage. It's too cold, and I don't have access to a hose at all. What are some options that you have explored? I also want to condition his tail, it is kind of rough and perfectly straight. Should I braid it? (with a simple three strand braid, not like a french braid because it could break hairs). I also would like to get his mane fuller, MTG has worked amazingly well at doing this, but because my horse is kept outside, if it rains i'm worried about it washing out, and MTG isn't that cheap and I don't have a lot of it so i'm saving it for summer! 
http://www.ehow.com/how_5477946_make-homemade-tail-mane-conditioner.html
do you guys think that would be a safe conditioner to put on his mane/tail? Should I braid his mane? thanks- any articles, photos, or stories and past experiences you guys have to share, that would be much appreciated. P.S. my horse DOES have a balenced diet, I know it's not from that. Also, him and my other horse have got the same feed, and my other horse has got the most thickest mane and tail EVER. thanks :)

k.lauralynn · Accepted Answer

I just wanted to comment on the washing aspect of your post...

Whenever I would wash my mare's tail, I would fill a bucket with water, hold the bucket up so I could soak her tail, then apply the shampoo and scrub, lift the bucket up again to rinse, and repeat with conditioner and towel dry. As for braiding, I would use a loose American braid (regular 3 strand) before placing it in the tail bag. If you are going to use the tail bag, make sure to frequently check on the tail, and try and avoid brushing it (use your fingers to detangle).

Best of luck finding a new product (but I still think MTG is the best, smoked meat smell and all)...

MBRShorse · Answer

I really can't answer you question very well but I have a little tip to keep your horse's tail from thinning out:

I was told to never brush your horse's tail often.  If it gets knotty, take some WD 40 to help untangle the knots.  When you brush your horses tail it pulls out the hair.  That hair rarely grows back and if it does, it grows back at a slow rate.  If you brush your horse's tail a lot, you pull out a lot of hairs.  At least, that is what I was taught.  I never brush my mares tail and it stays straight and full.

ＯＨ, ＴＨＥ ＧＵＩＬＴ · Answer

Yes, MTG works well... you can also try braiding it, and then putting it into a tail bag... this will hopefully protect it against breakage

mel · Answer

you can hock the mane for my horse got a fungal infection in his mane so it was starting to fall out and so we chopped it all off and it grew back better and thicker then it ever had

Hutton · Answer

try using FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth it promotes hair growth and is very good for hoof health all-so it removes intestinal parasites a 4 lb bag should last thu winter 1/4 cup a day in its feed daily will do the job.in one month you will notice the difference

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How to get my horse's mane & tail thicker?

5 Answers