SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Horse Care

How to Remove Burrs from Your Horse’s Mane and Tail

Q: Help! My horse came in from the field with a bunch of burrs stuck in his mane and tail. How can I remove them without using scissors?



A: Burrs tangled in your horse’s mane, tail and forelock can be a challenge to unsnarl. Staying on top of the problem is essential to keep it from getting out of control. Once burrs become deeply embedded, it can be nearly impossible to remove them without cutting or pulling out hair.

Burrs by Oakley Originals on flickr/CC BY 2.0



Apply silicone-based coat polish spray or detangling serum directly to the burrs in your horse’s mane or tail. Let it sit for a while to soak in and soften them a bit. Then work on removing the burrs from the slippery strands. Wear gloves to protect your hands if necessary­—burrs can be sharp!

Work from the bottom up, like you would normally detangle a mane or tail and try to avoid pulling on the hair at its roots. Use your fingers to gently pull the hairs apart and loosen the burrs.
Apply coat polish spray regularly to help keep burrs from sticking in your horse’s mane and tail.


This article originally appeared in the November/December 2017 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

Recent Posts

An Overview of White Line Disease

It's often what you can’t see that leads to trouble, and that’s definitely the case with white line disease. Understanding…

50 mins ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: My Man Ira

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

20 hours ago

Riding Lipizzaners in Hungary

Two hours’ drive from Budapest in the picturesque Bükk National Park lies Szilvásvárad, a beautiful little village that is home…

2 days ago

How Horses Helped Two Boys with ADHD

During the height of the pandemic and racial tension around the U.S., two boys struggling with ADHD found healing through…

3 days ago

Adopting a Companion Horse

When you think of the term “companion horse,” one that is versatile with the ability to fill a variety of…

4 days ago

Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparedness with Horses

Each year, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms force thousands across the country to evacuate their homes. When preparing for a…

7 days ago