What does the coconut oil do for the mane??

I ran across this recently and it has some really good information, so thought I'd pass it along...

Hair is mostly made up of 70% Keratin protein, as well as others. Within the layers it requires the protein to keep it strong and moisture to keep it supple. (both of them go hand in hand keeping the hair healthy). Oil is secreted from the oil gland (sebaceous gland) and that covers the hair shaft (it is not absorbed into the hair shaft) this is why you get 'oily hair' if you don't wash it for a long time. Hair pulls moisture out of the air and can also be replenished by using a good conditioner, this will nourish the hair deep within the shaft. A good moisturiser will not contain petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin (these products are sealants and will restrict the hair getting moisture)
Keeping hair healthy: when you wash and condition hair you will probably (well you should ) use a product that has protein in it. That can come in many forms, one being Keratin, you can also get Hydrolyzed Keratin. The Hydrolyzed bit means that the molecules are small enough to pass through the layers of the hair. Hydrolyzed Keratin will pass through all 3 layers of the hair to where it is needed. There are many types of protein, rice, wheat etc
When you put oil on the hair then it makes it shine, but it is only giving you the illusion of health. Oil molecules are too large to penetrate into the hair, hence it sitting on the outside of the shaft. Oil does not moisturise hair. We all know oil and water don't mix, so what you have done is create a seal (waterproof) on the hair. So now no moisture can't get into it. The oil works great if you already have moisture rich healthy hair and you don't want any moisture to excape (hence a lot of african women using oil on their hair to prevent moisture loss), but in most horses (ones that I have seen) their manes and tails are dry so crying out for moisture and not wanting to be blocked from it.
Over time you will find that you have to use a strong shampoo probably containing DEA to remove the oil and then you will find the hair in its true state, very dry. If you put oil on then you are starting the cycle all over again. The hair even though it has oil on will start to dry out and you may get some damage through breakage
Another product that will cause the same problem is silicones. These fall into two groups - water soluble and non water soluble. Theses can form a buildup on the shaft and then you have created another seal to prevent moisture and nutrients from getting in. To name one non water soluble silicone 'Cyclomethicone' .. now go and check out your cowboy magic and have a look what the first ingredient is on the list
DEIONIZED WATER - Purified water that has had all minerals and chemicals removed. (this is a better ingredient than water 'aqua' that is used in a lot of products)
Hydrolyzed keratin protein - this is actually one of the ingredients in Mega-Tek
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Wheat Oligosaccharides: this vegetable derived complex exhibits a unique and powerful moisture-balancing action that enables protein to control the moisture content of the hair.
Panthenol - It enhances the strength of hair and increases the resistance to breakage. It conditions without buildup and prevents damage caused by overheating and overdrying of hair and scalp. Panthenol nourishes hair by replenishing its level in the hair and imparts long lasting moisturization. Panthenol can also thicken hair by up to 10% (try and get a conditioner with this in)
CITRIC ACID - Fruit acid that adjusts Ph and tightens hair cuticle, adding brightness to hair color
Mucopolysaccharides - used to add body, moisture and shine to hair.
Things to avoid
Petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin
Cetearyl methicone not soluble in water
Cetyl Dimethicone not soluble in water
Cyclomethicone not soluble in water
Cyclopentasiloxane not soluble in water
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine): often appears on labels as Cocamide DEA and are commonly found in cleansers, shampoos and body washes as an emulsifier and foaming agent. According to a 1998 research study by the National Toxicology Program, these chemicals affect hormone function and are known to produce cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines in laboratory animals. The FDA is currently evaluating the link between DEA and cancer in humans


Here are a few things you should be looking for in a conditioner and why (from a tail expert).
DEIONIZED WATER - Purified water that has had all minerals and chemicals removed. (this is a better ingredient than water 'aqua' that is used in a lot of products)
Hydrolyzed keratin protein - this is actually one of the ingredients in Mega-Tek
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Wheat Oligosaccharides: this vegetable derived complex exhibits a unique and powerful moisture-balancing action that enables protein to control the moisture content of the hair.
Panthenol - It enhances the strength of hair and increases the resistance to breakage. It conditions without buildup and prevents damage caused by overheating and overdrying of hair and scalp. Panthenol nourishes hair by replenishing its level in the hair and imparts long lasting moisturization. Panthenol can also thicken hair by up to 10% (try and get a conditioner with this in)
CITRIC ACID - Fruit acid that adjusts Ph and tightens hair cuticle, adding brightness to hair color
Mucopolysaccharides - used to add body, moisture and shine to hair.
Things to avoid
Petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin
Cetearyl methicone not soluble in water
Cetyl Dimethicone not soluble in water
Cyclomethicone not soluble in water
Cyclopentasiloxane not soluble in water
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine): often appears on labels as Cocamide DEA and are commonly found in cleansers, shampoos and body washes as an emulsifier and foaming agent. According to a 1998 research study by the National Toxicology Program, these chemicals affect hormone function and are known to produce cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines in laboratory animals. The FDA is currently evaluating the link between DEA and cancer in humans

So that means I should not put oil in the mane, it makes it waterproof, im not perfectus in english im sorry :P so is it true, no oil in the mane?? And what can I do then for the mane and tail so it get like full of energy, not so dry, my horse tail is so dry!!!!!!

But but but, is it hard to take it off the mane and the tail??

That's what the article says. I use Cowboy Magic conditioner.. love it


I would imagine a good shampoo with warm water would wash it out

Ohh Yeah im allways on my way to the tack shop...need to go get my a cowboy magic conditioner!! I allways used one that where like a cream...do you think I can boy it again!!??

Qtrhrsecrazy, that is great information you posted about hair growth and condition. I notice that it mentions Mega-Tek has a good ingredient.

You say you like Cowboy Magic, but in the information you sent, it says

"To name one non water soluble silicone 'Cyclomethicone' .. now go and check out your cowboy magic and have a look what the first ingredient is on the list "

So, is this contradictory??? I'm not understanding properly.

Thanks.

Yes it is. I just recently ran across that article I posted and thought it would be helpful to the serious show people that use stuff continuously on their horses. Article is new to me as well.

I love and use the Cowboy Magic detangler/conditioner on mine, maybe once a month.. twice in the summer and will continue to do so, so is a moot point on my kids after reading and learning in this article no more than it's used :)

To help with the dryness of your horses mane an tail I would suggest getting a good wash out shampoo and then after washing the mane an tail with it getting a good wash out conditioner...I use "Mane an Tail" products myself... wash an condition the mane an tail twice a week for a few weeks if you have time...Braid them every time you wash....after a few weeks there will be a dramatic difference...

At this point I would just wash it an condition it every two weeks or so...no braids... during the in between time I use show sheen as a detangler....I know alot of people don't like show sheen but if its getting washed out every other week it doesnt hurt the hair :)

That's my best advice good luck!

I get pig oil with sulphur in it I find it great for stopping the main and tail from knotting and also keeps dirt ut of the horses feather

Thanks, qtrhrsecrazy, for your clarification.

I'd like to know which other products other than Mega Tek have some of the "good" ingredients.

As an aside, in my youth, the old cowboys used to say that bacon grease was the best to get the tail and mane to grow.

I've always thought that MTG smelled a lot like bacon grease!