As a volunteer MCM worker, I have detangled possibly hundreds of tails and manes of Kaya horses. What I do is put about a capful of Downey (preferably scent-free) in a spray bottle full of water. I spray/mist the tangled areas with the water-Downey solution, or spray all over the hair with it. Then I get the steamer and steam and brush at the same time.

To do this, I put the horse in a box, with the tail hanging outside the box. That way, I can have both hands free. In my right hand I hold the brush, and in my left hand the steamer. I alternate one hand and then the next, one right after the other--steam, brush, steam brush, steam, brush. The steamer motion is like you would do with an iron. I start at the bottom of the hair and brush an inch or two, and then go up 3-4 inches and brush that out, and continue to progress up the length of the hair.

I've found that the combination of the water-Downey solution and the steam loosens the tangles and helps them come out much easier. The team that I have worked with have tried many hair-detangle products, mostly those made for human hair, and the water-Downey solution seems to work the best. I've found that some of the human hair detanglers seem to leave the synthetic hair feeling gummy and sticky, and then I end up needing to wash it out.

Joy

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ March 25, 2006 07:02 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>