Having your horse’s mane and tail tangle-free not only ensures they look their best, but also guards against damage. Applying a detangler can cut down on grooming time and also means that less hair gets snapped.
We have put seven detanglers to the test on three different horses’ tails. Each detangler has been used as per the manufacturer’s instructions and on freshly washed, wet tails, as well as dry tails.
Our testers assessed how well each produced worked on dry and wet tails, and how long-lasting the effects were. Each detangler is given a score out of five for ease of use, effectiveness and value for money. This gives an overall score out of 15.
ShowSheen Hair Polish and Detangler
RRP £18.82 for 946ml (£1.99 per 100ml)
Ease of use: Very easy to apply with a great spray – you have the option of vertical or horizontal fan spray so very little product is wasted. It even sprays upside down – a bonus! Only three or four sprays are needed to cover the full tail. 5 stars
Effectiveness: Tangles comb out with minimum effort. Very little bedding sticks to the tail, cutting down on grooming time too. I also noticed less hair on the brush, so less breakage leaving the tail looking full, shiny, and healthy. The effects last well – it is around four days before you feel like more product is needed. It doesn’t have a strong smell; simply clean and fresh. 5 stars
Value for money: It’s a large bottle and a little goes a long way. Definitely worth the money for the results. 4.5 stars
Total: 14.5
Showmaster Detangler Classic
RRP £6.99 for 500ml (£1.40 per 100ml)
Ease of use: A good spray that gives good coverage over the tail. It does have a light fragrance to it, but it’s not overpowering. 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: This product left my horse’s tail feeling super soft and conditioned, as well as easy to brush – tangles just melted away and there were virtually no shavings in the tail after lying down. This means less grooming and less hair breakage. The effects last four to five days, when the tail still looks and feels great but knots are a little more difficult to brush out. 5 stars
Value for money: You won’t go wrong with this one – and it’s a great price too. 5 stars
Total: 14.5
NAF Silky Mane & Tail D-tangler
RRP £11.55 for 750ml (£1.54 per 100ml)
Ease of use: A good spray that covers the tail well. Five or six squirts and all of the tail is covered. A larger bottle than many others in this test but it’s a good shape and easy to hold. 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: Leaves the tail feeling soft and easy to brush. Any knots were easily removed with minimum effort. I’m impressed at how long the effect lasts – after four days the tail still feels soft and has very few knots. 5 stars
Value for money: Good value for an effective product. 4.5 stars
Total: 14
Supreme Products Detangle & Shine
RRP £15.60 for 500ml (£3.12 per 100ml)
Ease of use: This product has a good spray that offers coverage over the whole tail in four or five squirts. Then you work it into the tail with your hands and brush it through. The instructions on this product are a little different – you apply it daily for two to three days and then use weekly. 5 stars
Effectiveness: The results are impressive. The tail looks fuller and healthier with very little hair breakage during grooming. Tangles are quickly and easily removed. The tail is soft and has a nice shine. The effects last too – it was day five before knots became harder to remove. 5 stars
Value for money: You do use more of this product initially, so the bottle has gone down quite quickly. However, the results are good. 4 stars
Total: 14
Cavalor Star Shine
RRP £18 for 500ml (£3.60 for 100ml)
Ease of use: Quick and easy to apply. The spray covers a wide area so four of five squirts gives you the coverage you need. 5 stars
Effectiveness: Tangles were easy to remove and there were fewer shavings in the tail each morning, meaning less grooming time. The effects lasted for a good four days, making it an effective detangler. It has a clean fresh smell and leaves the hair feeling soft, with a healthy shine. 5 stars
Value for money: Not the cheapest, but it’s effective and leaves hair in great condition. 4 stars
Total: 14
HY Equestrian Magic Sheen Detangler Serum
RRP £14.50 for 200ml (£7.25 per 100ml)
Ease of use: This serum is applied by hand – pop a bit in your palm and work it into the tail. It’s not quite as easy and convenient as a spray, but it’s not difficult. 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: Super impressed with this product. It leaves the tail really shiny and minimal knots were easily removed. Also, I noticed no bedding in the tail, helping to cut down on grooming time. The effects lasted well – the shine was still there after a couple of days and the tail remained easy to brush for around five days. 5 stars
Value for money: On the expensive side, but I’m impressed with the results. It leaves the tail feeling and looking really healthy. 4 stars
Total: 13.5
Lincoln Piaffe Mane & Tail Conditioner
RRP £11.50 for 500ml (£2.30 for 100ml)
Ease of use: Easy to use and apply – four or five squirts will cover the tail. 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: After applying this spray, the tail looks healthy and feels soft. It contains Pro Vitamin B5 to strengthen the hair and there are very few hairs in the brush after grooming. Very little bedding is in the tail, which reduces grooming time. Knots took a little bit more effort to remove, so it was not quite as effective as some others in this test, and the effects didn’t last as long – after a few days the tail felt like more product needed to be used on it again. 4 stars
Value for money: Fair value – initial results are very good, just not long-lasting. 4 stars
Total: 12.5
