Galaxy’s mane & tail care routine.

Washing

I wash Galaxy’s mane & tail with shampoo & conditioner about 2-3 times a month in the warm season & only if necessary in the colder season. I found that using products with silicone & alcohol are damaging to the hair, so I removed all of those hair care products from my barn & replaced them with natural based, non-toxic, alcohol & silicone free formulas. There are a few good alcohol & silicone free formulas out on the market today & I’m sure any of them would work well, but I settled with Healthy HairCare products for my black beauty.

Brushing

Now this is the time consuming part! I spray on some alcohol & silicone free mane detangler throughout his tail & mane, then I take out tiny sections of his hair & start gently brushing from the bottom up, being very careful not to pull out any hair, using a flexible bristle brush so the teeth bend instead of braking the hair, if there is a knot, I gently pick it apart with my fingers, then continue to take my time carefully brushing out the tiny sections until all the hair is completely tangle free. This process can take 45 minutes or more.

brush_CrazyPatchRanch.jpg

Take tiny sections of his hair, gently brush from bottom up using a flexible bristle brush

 

Braiding

To keep Galaxy’s mane & forelock safe from breakage, I take 2-3 inch sections of mane & braid it as far down to the end as possible, for Galaxy, that’s about 9 - 10 braids down his neck & 1 french braided forelock. I like small, neat & tidy braids because bigger braids tend to pull the hair out at the roots when he stretches his neck out. I leave these braids in anywhere from 1 -2 weeks at a time. Once his braids get long enough where it is hitting the ground while grazing or getting near his mouth I will start folding the brads back on itself & securing them up in a bundle. I leave Galaxy’s tail unbraided & trim it level with the ground, I am uninterested in growing his tail to the point of it dragging on the ground because of safety concerns.

Brush2_CrazyPatchRanch.jpg

2-3 inch sections

brush3_CrazyPatchRanch.jpg

Braid as far down to the end as possible, use ribbon or rubber band to tie off ends. French braid the forelock & we are finally done! Galaxy is ready to go so he untied himself lol

Brush4_CrazyPatchRanch.jpg

 

Nutrition

Long healthy hair starts with proper nutrition.

  • Vitamin A, especially if there is no access to pasture - necessary for the production and maintenance of healthy skin and hair
  • B vitamins, including Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
  • Methionine - an amino acid essential for the growth of healthy skin
  • Lysine - another amino acid necessary for healthy skin and coat
  • Copper & Zinc - necessary for the proper production of proteins that are present in skin, hair, and hooves
  • Fatty acids - important building blocks for healthy skin and coat
  • Vitamin E - an antioxidant and vitamin essential for the production and maintenance of healthy skin; more Vitamin E is needed as more fats are added to the diet

 

Teagan Zavita