The best mane and tail detanglers for horses are an essential part of a grooming kit, especially if your horse is due to visit a show ring. They usually come in spray form, but there are serum products available, too. Whatever form they come in, they should be easy to apply and keep the mane and tail hair tangle free for as a long as possible.
Maintaining a knot-free mane and tail not only looks smart, but will help your horse’s hair stay healthy and in good condition, which will reduce breakage. Some detangling sprays can also be used as a coat shine spray – they should not attract dust or leave the hair greasy, but can be used to help to repel dirt.
Best mane and tail detanglers for horses
Cavalor Star Shine
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £18 for 500ml | H&H review: 10/10 |
This long-lasting hair conditioner from Cavalor can be used to maintain a knot-free mane and tail, and give a brightening gleam to your horse’s coat.
Read H&H’s independent Cavalor Star Shine review.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or amazon.co.uk
In the US? View now at chewy.com
Absorbine ShowSheen Hair Polish & Detangler
Sizes: 950ml | RRP: £18.82 |
This formula from Absorbine works as both a coat spray and detangler. It contains pro-vitamins to condition the skin and coat, plus silk proteins to strengthen the hair and give it a healthy shine. Applying it to the coat helps to repel dust, keep him clean for longer and help reduce static. The sprayer head that allows targeted application with vertical or horizontal spray patterns and sprays upside down for those hard-to-reach areas.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk, naylors.com or decathlon.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or chewy.com
Carr & Day & Martin Canter Mane & Tail
Sizes: 500ml, 1l, 2.5l, 5l | RRP: £12.50 for 500ml |
This powerful detangler from Carr & Day & Martin makes light work of managing your horses mane and tail, leaving it soft and tangle-free. A long-lasting conditioner, this spray makes grooming quicker and easier, reduces hair breakage and leaves an oil-free shine.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Smart Grooming Xtreme Detangler
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £14.95 |
This advanced detangling formula is suitable for all types of mane, tails and feathers. With deep conditioning properties, it reduces hair breakages as well as loosening knots, matts or tangles. It’s grease-free and oil-free and leaves not only a shine, but will repel dust, dirt and stains.
In the UK? View now at smartgrooming.com
Leovet 5Star Detangler
Sizes: 500ml, 2.5l | RRP: £10.95 | H&H review: 8/10 |
This Leovet spray promotes easy combing of the mane and tail, while protecting from dust and dirt for several days. It contains wheat pentavitin, which stops itching, prevents dry skin and moisturises, and pro-vitamin B5 to encourage healthy, shiny, soft and voluminous hair. It also contains arginine, which stimulates hair growth.
Read H&H’s independent Leovet 5Star Detangler review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Cowboy Magic Detangler and Shine
Sizes: 4oz, 16oz, 32oz | RRP: £44.78 for 16oz (approx 472ml) |
This product from Cowboy Magic might seem expensive, but it’s highly concentrated so you shouldn’t need to use much. It contains silk protein and panthenol for a great shine and pure conditioning. It can be used on wet or dry hair to restore moisture, strengthen the hair and protect against UV rays.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at chewy.com
Equine America Silky Tail Detangler
Sizes: 1l | RRP: £18.50 |
Mane, tail and coat shine spray with a highly effective dust and dirt repellent action. The newly developed silicone oil microemulsion makes the hair soft and naturally shiny. The hair is tangle free and easy to comb, it keeps its volume without feeling artificial. The powerful dust and dirt repellent action and tangle free effect lasts for several days. Dermatologically tested and approved, for intensive but gentle care.
In the UK? View now at equine-america.co.uk or amazon.co.uk
Smart Grooming Tame the Mane
Sizes: 500ml, 2.5l | RRP: £15.50 for 500ml | H&H review: 8/10 |
As the name suggests, this spray from Smart Grooming tames and conditions manes and tails, leaving them easy to manage and helping to keep the mud away. It can also be used to help manage thick feathers. It dries quickly and doesn’t attract the dust. It also gives definition and holds the mane in place, enhancing the natural look of a full mane.
Read H&H’s Smart Grooming detangler review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or smartgrooming.com
Nettex Mane & Tail Detangler
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £12.99 | H&H review: 8/10 |
This non-oily formula from Nettex effortlessly detangles manes and tails, sealing the hair to discourage further knots from forming, which helps to prevent breakage. It also helps to repel dust and dirt, with one application lasting up to seven days.
Read H&H’s independent Nettex Mane & Tail Detangler review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Hy Equestrian Magic Finish Detangler
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £9.99 |
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Supreme Products Detangle & Shine
Sizes: 500ml, 5l | RRP: £15.60 for 500ml |
This Supreme Products spray will keep manes and tails tangle free and ring ready throughout the season. It’s also described as particularly handy in winter and for use on natives and traditionals.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or naylors.com
Absorbine ShowSheen Detangler Gel
Sizes: 118ml | RRP: £12.18 |
This gel untangles the toughest knots as well as deeply conditioning the hair. It contains Moroccan Argan oil, which is a key ingredient in many high-end human hair care products, and provides a high-gloss, silky finish, leaving manes and tails tangle-free for days with no greasy residue. It’s ideal for removing burrs and debris from matted manes and tails.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or chewy.com
NAF Silky Mane & Tail D-Tangler
Sizes: 750ml, 2.5l | RRP: £11.55 for 750ml | H&H review: 7/10 |
This NAF conditioning spray keeps manes and tails free of tangles, feeling smooth and looking shiny. It leaves a non-greasy, non-sticky natural shine that doesn’t attract dust and allows mud to be easily brushed from hair.
Read H&H’s independent NAF Silky Mane & Tail detangler review.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Shires Ezi-Groom Mane & Tail Detangling Spray
Sizes: 400ml, 1l | RRP: £9.99 for 400ml |
This spray from Shires contains a conditioning blend of ingredients to help remove tangles from the mane and tail with ease. It contains silicone to help the brush slip through the hair and can be used on wet or dry hair, or feathers. It reduces static and can be used during styling to make the hair softer and easier to work with.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, gsequestrian.co.uk or naylors.com
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Science Supplements Mane & Tail Detangler
Sizes: 750ml | RRP: £12.99 |
This long-lasting leave-in spray conditioner from Science Supplements has a quick antistatic and powerful detangling effect helps keep the mane and tail soft and tangle free. It contains aloe vera, pro-vitamin B5 and wheat protein to provide optimal moisture balance and coat quality. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastics.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Leovet Power Detangler
Sizes: 550ml | RRP: £13.49 |
Available in dark or pale for different coat colours, this detangler and coat enhancer has nourishing properties, UV filters to protect the hair from fading and provides volume and shine.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Straight Arrow Original Mane ‘n’ Tail Detangler
Sizes: 16oz, 32oz, 1gal | RRP: £13.20 for 16oz |
Described as ideal for hard to comb hair, this pH-balanced formula from Straight Arrow helps eliminate tangles and knots and the appearance of dry split ends. It conditions the hair and helps to keep it manageable for grooming and plaiting. It works on wet or dry hair and can help to achieve and maintain longer, healthier manes and tails.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
In the US? View at chewy.com
Barrier Tangle Free and Silky
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £10.16 |
This natural, non-greasy mane, tail and coat conditioner contains natural essential oils, including lavender, to help condition and protect your horse’s hair and prevent the build up of grease.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
WildWash Equine Detangle Spray
Sizes: 300ml | RRP: £19.95 |
Made with camellia, rose and chamomile, this WildWash spray is natural, made in England and carries the cruelty-free logo. The ingredients detangle and help to reconstruct damaged hair tissue, while providing nourishment and promoting condition.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk
Botanica 6-in-1 Spray
Sizes: 750ml | RRP: £17.89 |
This mane and tail detangler spray also deters flies and insects, removes dust and dirt from the coat, helping to prevent stains. It conditions and shines, helps to reduce dandruff and flaky skin, and can be sprayed directly onto open wounds.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Shapley’s Magic Sheen Hair Polish
Sizes: 8oz or 32oz | RRP: £8.99 for 8oz |
This contains human-grade silicone, which results in a shiny and healthy coat, mane and tail. It doesn’t dry the hair out and is safe enough to use every day. One application will repel dirt and stains for up to a week, while applying several times a week to the mane and tail will keep them free of tangles and reduce hair loss.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Lincoln Piaffe Mane & Tail Conditioner
Sizes: 250ml, 500ml, 1l or 4l | RRP: £6.99 for 250ml |
This formula leaves manes and tails soft, polished, and detangled. It contains pro vitamin B5 to strengthen and help reduce hair breakage.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
Veredus Super Sheen
Sizes: 1l | RRP: £16 |
This long-lasting spray from Veredus gives a deep shine and keeps the mane and tail soft for more than two weeks, preventing tangling. It creates a protective film to prevent the collection of dirt and does not have a sticky or greasy residue.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
Fouganza Detangling Shine Conditioner
Sizes: 150ml, 500ml, 2l | RRP: £4.49 for 150ml |
Our designer horse riders designed this shine conditioner to make brushing the mane and tail easy, and/or make the coat shine.Our super shine conditioner makes it easier to detangle your horse’s hair and also makes it soft and shiny. It creates a protective coating and prevents dust from sticking to the hair.
In the UK? View now at decathlon.co.uk
Equine Products Mane & Tail Detangler
Sizes: 500ml | RRP: £12.48 |
This spray from Equine Products aims to keep the mane and tail sleek, soft and tangle free to help reduce breakage, while also repelling dirt.
In the UK? View now at equineproducts-ukltd.com
You might also like:
20 shampoos that will get your horse sparkling – because he’s worth it!
Coat shine sprays worth adding to your grooming kit before show day
6 plaiting products to help you create the perfect look
Had enough of annoying flies? We’ve tested some fly sprays to find which really work
All in a day’s work: Equine hairdresser Lucie Holt
Horsehairdressing’s Lucie Holt on making fake tails for top horses, and why she prefers equine clients
On trend in the ring: pet hates and modern day looks that have become fashionable in the showing world *H&H Plus*
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.