[Samantha]

Hey guys, being new to the forum and already having picked up a load of really good info I felt that I really wanted to share something back..

I have made my own show shine for years now and have a lovely recipe for this which not only works as a show shine but also use this as a general mane and tail product and it will help keep those tangles out and promote hair growth while also protecting it .. ok I now sound like one of those hair commercial so on to the recipe ...

Firstly you will need a spray bottle or squeezey bottle for the finished product (this is thicker than water so some spray bottles might not work)
then use 2 parts baby oil to 1 part baby oil gel ... put it in the bottle and give a good shake before using.

... thats it
... you were expecting more weren't you? lol

Ok well there are a couple of other things you can do .. to thin it out and make it go even further you can add water .. however if you do this you will need to add in a little cider vinegar to help the two mix and always shake well before use.

You can also add essential oils (choose wisely) citronella helps keep the flies away for example .. lavender helps to calm ... tho never ever use neat oils

If you show your horse then just before he is due in the ring.. squirt a little amount about the size of a 10p piece into your hand .. rub your hands together and run it through mane and tail... instant shine that doesn't feel greasy. any excess rub over the flanks or anywhere you want to highlight.

Here is a little pic of Arthur showing off his shine.. and if you wonder what he is doing he found where the treats were lol

[cairnhill]

Thanks for a great tip.  Arthur has a splendid mane so this stuff must be good. 

[doganjo]

oh, he is just gorgeous!  I want, I want!

[ballingall]

He is nice isn't he? I might try out your recipe Samantha- we use Canter Coat Shine for the goats, and it is so expensive! 

Beth

[Samantha]

I couldn't comment on goats as I have never tried it .. but it also works on my labrador LOL ... rule of thumb is probably don't put it on bare skin area, too close to the eyes etc and if you are going to put essential oils in it make sure you research them as some can cause irritation

Plz do let me know how you get on with the goats would be interested in any other applications it might have

Sam

[daniellestocks]

Lemon furniture polish, tescos/asda etc homebrands, cheap as chips! works ace as a detangler for mane and tails! 
I also add citonella and water to it in a squirty bottle for fly spray in summer 
I love homemade! much cheaper 
Your ponys mane is to die for! i love long manes and tails too x
Danielle

[Samantha]

Thanks I love him to bits .. although the lack of adequate working plus good grass has ment he doe resemble a bit of a barrel on legs at the moment.

His mane and tail can be a bit of a nightmare in the winter so I try to keep it platted as much as possible giving it a couple days rest inbetween.

The other thing that most people is use mane combs which rip out the hair.. what I generally do is use a stiff body brush / dandy brush to brush out his mane and tail .. work any severe knots out with an extra squirt of the show shine hair polish I make by hand and use a human hair brush with the spacked out stick? bristles (i am sure there is a name for it) and another with stiff bristles once a week to keep the knots down.

Sam  

[beany]

If you have a dark horse black, bay etc try using surgical spirit on a cloth especially over the rump where they are always a little more greasey. Works ace, just removes surface grease from coat to give max shine, we have a black welsh cob and he looks so shiny when done.

[Roxy]

Thanks for that tip!!  Arthur is gorgeous!!  Love all that mane and feather.

We use canter mane and tail conditoner generally, but we keep an expensive bottle of nice smelling lavender stuff, for manes and tails, to use at shows.  I have just spent a good hour brushing through long Dales pony tails and manes, ready for Saturdays show.  I wil definitely try your home made recipe though.

[scotelf]

Wow, look at those feathers and mane! Bet he is tricky to keep clean in winter. He is lovely. Thanks for the recipe.
Lynn

[Samantha]

Thanks guys ... Winter usually consisits of using the homemade shine or "hair polish" as I call it and platting him up .. after a few days the plats are taken out .. his hair given a rest for a couple of days before being platted up again .. keeping him platted in the winter is the best way I have found so far of keeping him tidy? lol I also use the polish on this feathers and it really helps keep the mud off.. plain old baby oil does this job just as well .. but popping in a bit of teatree oil into the mix helps keep the bacteria at bay and use every few days

Sam

[Jakebob]

Fab photo...is he pure clydie? how old? just being nosey!