As for cleanliness, professional trainers and grooms advise washing the tail only when necessary. Frequent shampoos dry out hair and skin by interfering with the distribution of natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands. A once-a-month once-over is enough to maintain healthy-looking tail hair.
When washing, be sure to wet all the hair well. Drench it right down to the tailbone and work a mild shampoo into the innermost tresses. Rinse thoroughly--soap residue can dry and irritate skin and provoke tail rubbing. Use a good-quality conditioner and leave it in for several minutes; then rinse again until the water runs clear.
To minimize breakage, don't comb the tail while it's wet. Wait until the hair is completely dry, and then pick out tangles with your fingers or comb, A brush with flexible metal tines and cushioned tips works well, too. But don't use stiff plastic grooming aids--they tend to damage hair shafts and pull out healthy hairs.
To brush or comb, start at the ends and work up. Grab a one-inch hunk and fan it out to detangle individual hairs. Continue until you're groomed the entire tail.
Baby oil as a grooming aid enhances the hair's condition and shine, and helps control dandruff. Silicone sprays add temporary luster for the show ring, but it's best to wash them out after the show since they ultimately dry the hair.
This article originally appeared in the August 1993 issue of EQUUS magazine.
