Healthy hair is easier to clean, holds rich color, grows gorgeous tails, resists irritation and shines. And, "green" programs are the most effective!
To live essentially stain-free, AVOID these products:
- Conventional whitening, jarred and medicated shampoos. They dry out the coat so hair is dull, gets dirtier, cannot grow and breaks.
- Salt (NaCl), standard to create lather. Salt draws. It leaves coats parched. Dry skin is readily irritated, does not grow or sport healthy hair. So, check ingredients. If there is no ingredient list and it is not an equine enzyme: beware. Most products are not healthy for the coats or the earth.
- Petroleum products. Silicone and mineral oil coat the hair so it is slippery and brittle. Plus, they could be toxic.
- Most stain removers. They leave a yellow shadow and dull brittle hair. An enzyme, however, can dissolve tough old stains instantly. Very old yellow areas may initially need to stay damp with the enzyme to separate the stain from the hair.
- Detanglers. Petroleum products lock dirt in and moisture out.
Be sure to use an all-in-one shampoo and no detangler. Use only a shampoo that:
- is saturated with Aloe Vera
- has generous amounts of Vitamin E
- has Natural Antiseptic Tea Tree Oil (Medical-grade ONLY. Tea tree oil can be very fine, effective and easy on the skin, or it can be like jet engine fuel. There are 20+ grades; compounds of 20+ elements.)
Wash long hair in a shampoo saturated with aloe. Comb when wet, always twisting the length and holding the bottom to protect roots. Comb your way up. If tail hairs stick together for being dirty, spray an equine enzyme to dissolve dirt bond, towel off and comb, always from the bottom.
To avert heel scratches, be sure your horse?s legs are bone-dry before putting him in a stall. Groom vigorously before and after work daily. Lots of currying! Don?t leave sweat salt on coats. Brush using your back to bring out natural oils to protect and gleam.
Ruthann Smith, world-class groom and braider developed the progressive and cost-effective Lucky Braids/ coat care and braiding products prized by top horsemen. To receive invitations to Ruthann's Top Turnout Clinics and her Evolved Grooming Newsletter, please join at: http://www.luckybraids.com .