Grooming Hints & Tips

 
One of the many stunning trademarks of the Gypsy breed is their abundant hair and we all love seeing that well groomed, healthy glow on our horses. Grooming is a part of every horse owner’s life and whether you are preparing yours for a show, getting ready to hit the trails or just spending some quality bonding time with your feathered friend. This article looks at some helpful hints, tips and tricks that can make grooming sessions easier and more productive.
Basic Grooming:

• Mud and dirt have a tendency to dry out your horse’s hair. Make sure to start each grooming session with a vigorous rub down with a rubber curry. This will bring dirt and dander to the surface of the coat for easy removal with a body brush. It will also help to stimulate circulation and encourage production of the natural oils produces by the skin for a beautiful, healthy shine.
• When combing your horse’s mane and tail always start at the ends and work your way up. Hold each section of hair in your hand, right above where you are working so that you can accurately gauge the amount of tension or strain that you are applying to the hair. If you hit a spot that is tangled or snarled, stop brushing and apply detangler to that section of hair. Then work through the knot using your fingers to gently separate the hairs until you can run the comb through the hair without it breaking off or tearing out the strands.
• When working on the mane and tail, use grooming tools specifically designed for this task. Human hairbrushes can break the hair and pull it out at the root. Look for combs with wide set teeth as they are less likely to get snagged in your horse’s hair.
• In the wintertime it can be too cold for a proper bath but that never seems to deter our horses from playing in the mud. If you need to remove mud or dirt from a mane or tail you can use a warm, damp washcloth. Take one section of hair at a time, starting at the root, wrap the cloth around the hair and work your way down. Make sure to rinse the cloth and ring it out well so it doesn’t drip onto the horse’s body.
• To help protect against skin infections make sure to regularly disinfect grooming brushes and combs. If you have a new horse come in it can be helpful to have an extra set of grooming tools to use for the first few weeks. This way you won’t accidentally pass a fungal or other type of infection to other horses on the farm.
• Always try to rinse the sweat off of your horse after exercise as sweat build up can lead to rubbing and it can also accelerate coat fading in the sun. If it is too cold for a quick rinse, make sure to give them a good rubdown with a clean towel or cloth and then remove any sweat residue with a brush when the coat is dry.

Bath Time:

• Invest in quality shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for equine use. While products designed for humans will work in a pinch, some brands can leave your horse’s hair dry and brittle. Our personal favorite is the EquiFuse product line because their non-drying formulas add moisture and shine back into the hair without using harsh chemicals that damage the hair and leave unnecessary buildup.
• After applying your shampoo and conditioner, make sure to thoroughly rinse paying special attention to the base of the tail and the crest. Product residue can not only clog the pores leading to slower hair growth but it can also cause rubbing due to skin irritation.
• When washing a very thick mane it can be helpful to shampoo it in two stages. Start on the ‘outside’, where the hair naturally lies then flip the mane over to the other side of the neck and start the whole process again.
• When washing you horse’s mane or tail you can stimulate hair growth by vigorously massaging the root bed with your fingertips. This also loosens up any dead skin or other irritants that inhibit the production of hair from the follicles.
• For conditioning especially thick manes and tails it can be helpful to mix your conditioner with water and apply with a spray bottle. This will allow you to evenly distribute the product throughout the hair and it will help cut down on waste.
• Protect your horse’s tail while it dries by tying it up in a slip knot. This will keep the tail up off the ground while it dries, helping to keep it clean.
• Hair stretches when it is wet which actually makes it more forgiving. While the mane or tail is drying you can gently pick through it by hand, separating the strands and removing small tangles. This way when the hair dries it will lie neatly and be easier to comb. 

Braiding:

• Braiding of the mane and tail, if done correctly and maintained can be a great way to protect hair from UV damage, reduce tangles and promote growth.
• When you are braiding the mane try to start each braid a couple inches from the crest so as not to put unnecessary stress and tension on the root. Tails can be braided into one large braid or multiple smaller braids depending on the thickness of the tail. Braids can then be put into tail bags or socks to further reduce damage from dirt and sun.
• Braids should be taken out periodically so the hair can be cleaned and conditioned.  This will also ensure that the hair doesn’t become matted and tangled from rolling or swishing at flies.
•  When you take out the braids make sure to straighten the hair using your fingers, rather than a brush or comb. The hair can be wavy from being in the braid and combing it will only make it frizzy. The best way to remove the waves is to wash and moisturize the hair before combing and re-braiding it.
• Remember that wet hair will contract as it dries so plan accordingly if you braid your horse’s hair while it is still wet.
• Because the natural oils your horse produces will have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft while it is braided you want to make sure that the hair is properly conditioned before it is put into braids as it will only continue to dry out further.
• When securing braids you want to be careful using rubber bands as they can easily tangle in the hair causing breakage. I recommend either bands that are covered in fabric or my personal favorite is banding or electrical tape as they are easy to remove and leave no residue.

 
This article is brought to you by The Hair Affare and was written by Samantha VanSickle of Starfire Gypsy Horses  www.starfiregypsy.com & www.thehairaffaire.com
 

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The EquiFuse System

 CitraFoam Shampoo and CFS Shampoo work together to promote hair that is healthy, clean, soft, supple and absolutely glistening.
The CitraFoam Shampoo is a totally plant based product that is sulfate free and perfect for horses with sensitive skin, allergies or overly dry hair. It will not strip the hairs natural oils and it will soothe dry, itchy, irritated skin. It can be used on the entire body but for our grooming program we use it primarily on the mane and tail as well as extremely “itchy” areas.
The CFS Shampoo promotes a skin deep clean that will lift stains and dirt with ease without damaging or irritating the skin. This product has taken the place of all “whitening” products in our barn. This is the perfect shampoo for show preparation and it’s also safe and economical for everyday use. It will quickly cut through the buildup and grim found at the base of the mane, tail and/or feather. It will leave your horses coat sparkling clean and feeling great! This product also has moisturizing qualities so it will not leave the hair dry and brittle like other whitening products on the market. CFS is very concentrated and one container contains enough shampoo to bath 350+ horses (around 250 Gypsies or “heavy hair” breeds). For areas that are heavily stained it may take a few consecutive baths to remove all stains but you will see a noticeable difference after only one application.

​CitraFoam:
 For use on the entire body we add 1oz of CitraFoam to a foamer, then spray over entire body and rinse. (If the horse is really dirty use a rubber curry to work the shampoo down to the skin). This product can also be used full strength on the mane and tail. You can also use a bucket and sponge to apply which is what the directions say. I've just found that by using the Foaming unit that I can make the product last longer and it's quicker to apply.


CFS:
The CFS shampoo can be applied by mixing 1oz with water in a foamer or by mixing 1/2 oz in a bucket of water and applying with a sponge. This product can also be used full strength on manes, tails, white socks or anywhere else on the body that has deep set stains. After applying the shampoo, use a rubber curry or your fingers to work the shampoo down to the skin to help loosed dead hair, dander and dirt. For feathered breeds it does a fantastic job of getting the feather sparkling white and if used on a regular basis the feather will stay that way.

CitraCreme:
Mix 1/2 oz of CitraCreme in a bucket of water, soak tail and then pour over the mane. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse. Can also be used full strength on the mane, tail and feather to repair dry, damaged or brittle hair and will help to alleviate the dry, flaky skin that causes itching and rubbing.
 A product saving tip: Mix 1oz of CitraCreme in a spray bottle with water, shake and then spray onto the mane and tail (or feather for draft type breeds) work in by hand and rinse. For horses with very thick hair this also allows you to lift and separate the hair while spraying to help get the conditioner all the way to the skin.  
 
 
Rehydrinse:
For use after bathing-
After the horse has been rinsed but the coat is still damp put 1oz of Rehydrinse in a 32oz spray bottle then fill the rest of the way with water. Shake before each use to make sure the product is properly mixed.  Spray over the entire body (including feather) and leave in. You can also use this product as directed on the bottle by adding 1oz to a gallon of water and sponging over the body or you can add 1oz to a foaming unit and apply to the entire body that way as well. This product is safe for use even in the saddle area as it will not make the hair slick or slippery.
For use on dry hair-

• Before braiding: Add 1oz of Rehydrinse to a 32oz spray bottle then fill with water. Apply to the mane and/or tail from roots to tips until slightly damp, run a brush through the hair to distribute and then braid as normal. When the braids are removed the hair will still be smooth and hydrated and very easy to finger comb and re-braid.
• Show prep: Add 1oz of Rehydrinse to a 32oz spray bottle then fill with water.  Spray onto a rag and wipe over the entire body to remove dust and add additional shine. Most “shine sprays” on the market contain oil so they will attract dust to the hair as soon as you step into the ring. Rehydrinse does not attract dust and other debris so your horses will stay shiny and dust free throughout the class.
• Removing tangles: Add 1oz of Rehydrinse to a 32oz spray bottle then fill with water. Apply to tangles in mane and/or tail, be sure to soak the tangle. Then apply some Gleam, making sure to work the Gleam into the tangle or wind knot and allow to sit for a few minutes. Untangle the hair by hand then then work a brush through the hair.

Deep conditioning for dry/damaged tails-
Add 1oz of Rehydrinse and 1/2oz of Gleam to bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and soak the entire tail for 3-5 minutes. Wring excess water from the tail but DO NOT RINSE. You can towel dry if necessary in cold climates. Repeat this process as often as necessary to restore your horse’s tail to its ideal, soft, tangle-free state. This treatment is also perfect for tails that are kept braided. After removing the braid use this treatment, then comb through the hair and re-braid. 
Gleam:
Gleam can be used on wet or dry hair. When using after a bath take a dime size amount in your palm, rub hands together and distribute through the mane, forelock and tail  while still wet. After the hair has dried it will be silky smooth and you can run a brush right through it. Gleam can also be applied to the feather before blow-drying to keep the hair from forming knots caused by the high volume of airflow. This product is also fantastic between bathes to quickly remove knots and tangles while adding shine and moisture.
Cool Out:
CoolOut  is a naturally derived fragrance free powder that absorbs sweat and dampness on the equine coat. Designed for post exercise grooming, this unique formula instantly soaks up sweat and moisture leaving the coat both dry and manageable. A fast acting anti-bacterial additive creates a sheer veil on the coat, used to prevent against bacterial and fungal skin disorders which makes this product fantastic for treating lower leg issues such as scratches and other ailments that tend to affect draft type breeds.
 
All of the EquiFUSE products can be used individually and they will each surpass all standards in their results but when they are used together as a system then the results are absolutely astounding!  

White Tails

What you'll need:

• 3 cups Baking Soda
• ½ gallon White Vinegar
• EquiFuse CFS Shampoo                                                                       
• EquiFuse CitraCreme Deep Conditioner       
• EquiFuse Rehydrinse
• Hot Water
•  2 buckets

You will need access to warm water or several buckets of warm water standing by. This process will be much easier and more effective if you use 'hand' hot water as you need to dissolve the Baking soda....and warm water does a better job at cleaning and rinsing than cold.
For all organic stains, such as urine stains, red clay, or just plain dirty,  give this a try...and even though its aimed at white tails, this method is very effective on all colors of tails that need a good clean...particularly mares...as urine will eventually make dark hair bleach, and the vinegar rinse will help with this.

1. Dissolve the Baking soda in about 1 gallon of hot water, then mix it into a bucket that has about 2 gallons of warm water.
2. Soak the tail for a few minutes, working it through the stained tail and swishing the tail well in the mixture....this will cause the hair cuticle to swell and assist lifting out the built up stains.
3. Rinse the tail with clean warm water. Because it is so alkaline, it can leave the hair feeling rather dry at this point.
4. Follow with a rinse of 50:50 white vinegar and water, this will neutralize the hair again, and it will feel smoother. You can also fill a gallon jug with the 50:50 mix to pour through thicker tails.
5. Mix EquiFuse CFS Shampoo with warm water in a bucket and work through the tail, making sure to reach all the way to the dock. You can use the CFS full strength on stubborn stains. Allow the shampoo to sit in the hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
6. Now condition the tail with the EquiFuse CitraCreme Deep Conditioner. You can use this conditioner full strength or you can add 1-2oz to a bucket of warm water and soak the tail that way. Make sure to allow the conditioner 5-10 minutes to soak before rinsing for best results.
7. Now that you have rinsed the tail there is one more step. Mix 1-2oz of the EquiFuse Rehydrinse Leave-In conditioner with 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket and dunk the entire tail in the solution. Make sure to swish it around so it reaches all the hair. You can then pour the rest over the head of the tail and dock area, making sure the entire tail is saturated. This is a LEAVE-IN product so DO NOT RINSE.
8. Air dry the tail, and place in a tail bag, tail wrap, braid, etc.

 
You can repeat this process the next day or a few days later if you feel the stain needs another treatment. Follow up with a weekly shampoo , and condition, condition, condition.
As you can see, with a long term stained tail, this process needs to be done at least a few days before showing, sometimes just the one treatment is not enough so make sure to start the process well enough in advance.