Post in collaboration with Cowboy Magic, products sponsored by Cowboy Magic
When the summer finally arrived in Norway, the first thing I did was to give Batman a total makeover. It would be interesting to actually document his coat and tail before and after, and also a perfect chance to show you my grooming, washing and mane & tail care routine!
I have sworn to Cowboy Magic for years, and still do. I bought my first bottle of Cowboy Magic Detangler back in 2010, so therefore, I am very happy to work with the people behind this amazing line of equine products. It is always a pleasure to team up with brands you have carried in your grooming bag for a over half a decade. ;)
Batman’s mane grew a meter because the mane remains smooth and tangle-free, and all I did was to apply some Detangler, braid it and avoid brushing it with anything but my fingers.
The products are easy to apply, works excellent and leaves a brilliant result. They meet all my requirements because I don’t need to spend that much time on keeping Batman “photoshoot”-ready. I’m the kind of person who likes grooming, but I don’t have time to spend many hours per week on it. Therefore, products that makes the mane, tail and coat easy to keep clean and tangle free, is a must for me. Batman’s skin is very sensitive, and I want to keep him clean, shiny, the hair tangle-free, strong and healthy, without having him locked up in a stable with three rugs to keep his coat clean. Batman lives in a herd on 24 acres of dense forest, outside in the rough Norwegian weather.
He lies down in the dirt every single day, goes for adventures, rolls and come back with half the forest attached to his tail. Keeping him presentable is no easy task, and I for sure depend on some grooming-life savers for that.
Here is Batman before and after the wash. Weeks after these photos were taken, he still looks like he does to the right, and all I need to do is to give him a quick wash and use the Super Bodyshine and Detangler to maintain the result.
So, here is my washing & grooming routine! I documented our entire spring-makeover for you guys, and I hope you enjoy the post.
For the perfect bath
Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo • Cowboy Magic Rosewater Conditioner • Cowboy Magic Greenspot Remover • Cowboy Magic Shine In Yellowout
Get rid of the dust, dandruff, dirt, sweat and mud
This is Batman after a long winter without any showers or baths … Before I started, I cut the tail, because it was a bit too long. The tail is easier to keep pretty if you trim it on a regular basis, to avoid wear and tear.
Let’s give the Batman a lovely, well deserved makeover!
I always use tempered water, and start with the neck and back. Make sure the mane is wet all the way through. If you lack pressure in the hose, use a bucket instead!
Apply Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo
Blend the shampoo with tempered water in a clean bucket, and apply with a large sponge for the best result. I use the shampoo on Batman’s coat, mane, tail and forelock.
Cowboy Magic Rosewater shampoo will deep condition the skin and take care of the mane & tail
The Rosewater Shampoo smells lovely, and contains silk protein. It penetrates the hair and deep condition the skin, and leaves the horse shiny and clean.
Rinse!
Rinse out the product with tempered water.
Apply the Cowboy Magic Rosewater Conditioner and massage the product gently into the horse’s mane and tail
Only a very small amount of Rosewater Conditioner is needed for the perfect result. The conditioner reduces tangles, static electricity and leaves the hairs soft, clean and free of dirt, mineral and chemical buildup.
Rinse, and let your horse dry
I usually let Batman dry outside in the sun, but sometimes use a hairdryer on his mane, tail and feathers.
For the perfect finish
Cowboy Magic Super Bodyshine • Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine
Step by step: The perfect mane & tail
I have been a huge fan of Cowboy Magic Detangler and Super Bodyshine for ages. I always use the Detangler to keep Batman’s mane and tail easy to maintain, strong, shiny and beautiful! No matter how bad the weather is, or how many hours Batman spent in the forest, the mane always looks fresh and ready for a photoshoot thanks to these amazing products.
Taking care of Batman’s massive tail in 24 acres of forest in Norwegian weather
I have spent up to three hours on getting Batman’s tail done. His tail is simply massive, with extremely thick hair and natural Friesian waves. Which means that it can easily end up being a tangled hell! The good thing about the Rosewater Shampoo & Conditioner is that they do most of the job. By moisturizing the hair, removing dirt and buildup, most of the hair care is already done. So what I do do get Batman’s tail perfect, is to first apply a mix of a small amount of Cowboy Magic Super Bodyshine and Detangler in the entire tail.
Brushing through the tail leaves an impressive result, and it only takes a few minutes
After applying the products, I run my fingers through the tail, before I brush gently through the entire tail, starting at the bottom. I then work my way trough all the hairs, until the tail is big, fluffy and feeling like silk! This process only takes a few minutes, which is amazing, compared to the three hours I once spent to get it tangle-free. I prefer a flat Borstiq-brush for this kind of grooming.
Taking care of the mane with love and passion, because a long, strong, gorgeous, flowing mane is what all Friesian owner wants …
Next up is the mane! I use both Bodyshine and Detangler here as well, but I ONLY use my fingers in the mane. Never a brush. I don’t want to pull out healthy hair, so I gently run my fingers through all parts of the mane and forelock. I always start at the bottom and work my way up to the roots. I simply separate the hairs from each other, and Batman’s mane looks like silk and feels amazing afterwards! The Detangler is the absolute must have for me, and if I had to choose only one product, this would be it.
The last finish: Making the coat shine
The last thing I do, is to spray Batman’s jet black coat with Cowboy Magic Super Bodyshine. This showshine is an incredible dust remover and is amazing to use before photoshoots. Batman can go from dusty and grey to jet black and shiny in ten minutes, and all you need is the Super Bodyshine and a soft brush. After a bath, Batman’s coat is already clean and good looking, but the Super Bodyshine leaves a great finish. After this bath, Batman went from grey-ish and dust brown to shining black, and the transformation was incredible!
Enjoy your result!
All you need to keep the horse good looking after the bath is the Body Shine, Greenspot Remover and Detangler.