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Mane N' Tail Detangler — Health (The original spray-on detangler for manes and tails)

Mane N' Tail Detangler

The original spray-on detangler for manes and tails.

Tired of tangled manes and tails that take forever to comb out?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026
Groom rinsing a dark horse at a barn wash stall stocked with Mane 'n Tail grooming products
Groom rinsing a dark horse at a barn wash stall stocked with Mane 'n Tail grooming products

Few grooming jobs test patience like a matted mane or a tail full of knots. Pull too hard and you tear out the hair you have spent a season growing. Mane 'n Tail Detangler by Straight Arrow Products was built to end that fight. A few spritzes lay down a friction-free slip so the comb glides through, knots release instead of snapping, and the long, full mane and tail you want stay on the horse instead of in the brush.

Mane 'n Tail Detangler 16 oz spray-on friction free slip bottle by Straight Arrow
Mane 'n Tail Detangler 16 oz spray-on friction free slip bottle by Straight Arrow

What makes a tangle let go instead of breaking?

The answer is friction. Dry, snarled hair grabs the comb, and every stroke that meets resistance is a strand under strain. Mane 'n Tail Detangler coats each hair with a conditioning slip that drops that friction to almost nothing. The comb slides; the knot slides apart. Because the hair is fortified and lubricated rather than yanked, you keep length and density season after season instead of grooming it away.

Grey show horse in a halter beside Mane 'n Tail Detangler and finishing spray bottles
Grey show horse in a halter beside Mane 'n Tail Detangler and finishing spray bottles

How do you use the spray-on detangler?

The spray-on formula works on wet or dry manes and tails, so it fits whatever stage of grooming you are in. Mist it through the length, then comb or finger out the knots from the bottom up. There is no fragrance to overwhelm a sensitive horse and no sticky residue to attract dust between sessions. Used as a finishing step or a quick fix before a class, it leaves the hair manageable, smooth, and ready to braid.

Smiling rider with a paint horse and a puppy in warm evening light outdoors
Smiling rider with a paint horse and a puppy in warm evening light outdoors

Why has Mane 'n Tail earned a place in the barn for over 50 years?

The story starts in 1970 on a small New Jersey farm, where Phil and Bonnie Katzev were raising Arabian horses and could not find a grooming product worthy of their stock. Phil, a chemist, built a pH-balanced deep-conditioning formula that kept manes and tails soft, shiny, and tangle-free, and the legendary Original line was born. More than five decades later the company is still family-owned and made in the USA, and the Detangler carries that same heritage of safe ingredients and real results into every spray.


Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz bottle front by Straight Arrow Products
Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz bottle front by Straight Arrow Products

What exactly is Mane 'n Tail Detangler?

Mane 'n Tail Detangler is a leave-in, spray-on grooming product from Straight Arrow Products, Inc. that eliminates tangles and knots while conditioning and fortifying the hair strands of a horse's mane and tail. It lays down a friction-free slip so a comb glides through instead of catching, which reduces the breakage and tearing that normally happens during everyday grooming and show-day braiding. The clear, non-sticky, non-fragranced formula stays in the hair rather than rinsing out, so the conditioning effect keeps working between grooming sessions. It is the equine companion to the famous Original Mane 'n Tail hair-care line.

Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz bottle back label by Straight Arrow Products
Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz bottle back label by Straight Arrow Products

Who makes Mane 'n Tail and where does it come from?

Mane 'n Tail is made by Straight Arrow Products, Inc., a family company whose original formulas were created on the Katzev family horse farm in rural New Jersey more than 40 years ago. The first products were built specifically for show horses with long, flowing manes and tails, and the brand still operates under the corporate promise "Serving our Customers with Tradition, Technology and Trust." The company is led by President Devon Katzev and today markets a full family of brands including Mane 'n Tail (animal and personal care), Cowboy Magic, Exhibitor's, and Straight Arrow Therapeutic.

Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz product tags front view
Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz product tags front view

What ingredients are in the Detangler formula?

The formula is built on a water base with conditioning silicones — Dimethicone and PEG-7 Amodimethicone — that create the signature friction-free slip, plus Trideceth-6 as a solubilizer. It is enriched with a botanical complex of Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Flower Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, and Larrea Divaricata (Chaparral) Extract — botanicals chosen to nourish, strengthen, and leave hair silky. The horse version is sold as a clear, non-fragranced, non-sticky formula so it never leaves a greasy or perfumed residue on the coat.

Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz product tags back view
Mane 'n Tail Detangler Spray 12 oz product tags back view

How do you use it on a wet or dry mane and tail?

Shake well before each use. For dry use, spray directly onto the mane or tail until there is enough product to create slip, then work it in with fingers or a comb through the entire length until tangle-free — do not rinse out. For wet use, the brand recommends applying it after washing with Original Mane 'n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner, spraying directly on the hair and working it through with fingers or a comb until tangle-free, again leaving it in without rinsing. The same friction-free slip that releases knots also makes braiding and banding faster and gentler on the hair.

Why do horse owners reach for it season after season?

The appeal is simple: it ends the tug-of-war that tears out hair you have spent a season growing. The friction-free slip lets knots release instead of snapping, helping horses achieve and maintain longer, fuller, healthier manes and tails, while the conditioning botanicals add volume and a shine that lasts for days. It carries a 5.0-out-of-5 customer rating across reviews at equine retailers, is made in the USA, and the bottle is a recyclable #2 plastic container. Because it is gentle, the same detangler is also commonly used on dogs, cats, and even people's hair.

What sizes does it come in and how do you buy it?

Mane 'n Tail Detangler is offered in 12 oz (about $12.99), 16 fl oz, and 32 fl oz (around $22.99) spray bottles, with the 32 oz carrying UPC 727556544825 and equine catalog numbers such as #30657 (SmartPak) and #12633 (PBS Animal Health). It is widely stocked at equine and farm retailers including SmartPak, Chewy, Tractor Supply Co, PBS Animal Health, Grange Co-op, and Mary's Tack, and direct through the brand's own sites at manentail.com and straightarrowinc.com.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What does Mane 'n Tail Detangler do?

It lays a friction-free slip over each strand so the comb glides through manes and tails. That eliminates knots and tangles, reduces breakage during grooming, conditions and fortifies the hair, and leaves it manageable and ready to braid.

Can I use the detangler on a dry mane or tail?

Yes. The spray-on formula works effectively on both wet and dry manes and tails, so you can reach for it at any stage of grooming, from a post-bath finish to a quick touch-up before a class.

Will the detangler help me grow a longer, fuller tail?

It helps you keep the length you grow. By cutting friction and reducing the breakage that happens when a comb snags a knot, it supports longer, healthier-looking manes and tails over time rather than wearing them down stroke by stroke.

Does it leave a sticky or greasy residue?

No. The formula is designed to condition without buildup, so it will not leave the hair sticky or attract extra dust between grooming sessions. It finishes smooth and manageable.

Is the detangler fragranced?

The conditioning detangler is offered in a non-fragranced formula, which makes it a good choice for horses or handlers who prefer to skip added scent.

What sizes does the Mane 'n Tail Detangler come in?

The Detangler is available in a 16-ounce spray, a 32-ounce spray, and a one-gallon size, so you can pick a trigger bottle for daily grooming or a refill jug for a busy barn.

Who makes Mane 'n Tail?

Mane 'n Tail is made by Straight Arrow Products, Inc., the family-owned company founded by Phil and Bonnie Katzev in 1970 in New Jersey. The brand is still family-run and made in the USA today.

Can the detangler be used as part of a full grooming routine?

Absolutely. It is built to be the finishing step after washing and conditioning, working alongside the rest of the Mane 'n Tail equine line to leave the mane and tail smooth, shiny, and tangle-free.

Who makes Mane 'n Tail Detangler?
It is made by Straight Arrow Products, Inc., the family company behind the Mane 'n Tail brand. The original formulas were created on the Katzev family horse farm in rural New Jersey over 40 years ago and were targeted for show horses with long, flowing manes and tails. The company is led by President Devon Katzev.
How do you use Mane 'n Tail Detangler on a horse?
Shake well first. For dry hair, spray directly onto the mane or tail until there is enough product to create slip, then work it through with fingers or a comb until tangle-free, and do not rinse. For wet hair, apply after washing with Original Mane 'n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner, spray on, work through with fingers or a comb until tangle-free, and leave it in.
Do you rinse Mane 'n Tail Detangler out?
No. It is a leave-in product. You spray it on, comb or finger it through, and leave it in the hair so the conditioning slip keeps working between grooming sessions. Leaving it in is what helps the hair stay manageable for grooming and braiding.
Can it be used on wet or dry hair?
Both. Mane 'n Tail Detangler works effectively on wet or dry manes and tails. On dry hair it provides quick same-day slip for grooming or braiding, and on wet hair it is best applied right after shampooing and conditioning for a deeper detangling finish.
What ingredients are in Mane 'n Tail Detangler?
The water-based formula uses conditioning silicones — Dimethicone and PEG-7 Amodimethicone — to create slip, plus Trideceth-6. It is enriched with botanical extracts including Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) Leaf, Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) Seed, Meadowsweet (Spiraea Ulmaria) Flower, Clover (Trifolium Pratense) Flower, Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara) Flower, and Chaparral (Larrea Divaricata) Extract chosen to nourish and strengthen the hair.
Is Mane 'n Tail Detangler sticky or greasy?
No. The horse formula is specifically marketed as a non-sticky, non-fragranced, clear formula. It does not leave a tacky or oily residue that would attract dust to the coat, which is why it can be used right before grooming, showing, or braiding.
What sizes does Mane 'n Tail Detangler come in?
It is offered in 12 oz, 16 fl oz, and 32 fl oz spray bottles. The 12 oz typically retails around $12.99 and the 32 oz around $22.99. The 32 oz carries UPC 727556544825 and is cataloged as #30657 at SmartPak and #12633 at PBS Animal Health.
Does Mane 'n Tail Detangler prevent hair loss or breakage?
It helps prevent the kind of hair loss caused by breakage during grooming. By laying down a friction-free slip, knots release rather than snapping, so you stop tearing out hair you've grown over a season. Over time this helps horses achieve and maintain longer, fuller, healthier manes and tails.
Can I use Mane 'n Tail Detangler on dogs, cats, or people?
Yes. While it is made for horses, the gentle formula is also commonly used on dogs and cats, and the Mane 'n Tail line is famous for crossing over to human hair care. Many owners use the same bottle across the barn and the bathroom, though for people the brand also sells a dedicated personal-care detangler.
Is Mane 'n Tail Detangler good for show and braiding?
Yes, it is a popular show-prep product. The friction-free slip makes manes and tails easier to comb, band, and braid without tearing, and the conditioning botanicals add volume and a shine that lasts multiple days. The brand's roots are in formulas built specifically for show horses.
Where is Mane 'n Tail Detangler made?
It is made in the USA by Straight Arrow Products, Inc. The brand began on the Katzev family horse farm in rural New Jersey, though products are no longer manufactured on the family farm itself. The bottle is a recyclable #2 plastic container.
How is the Detangler rated by customers?
It earns strong marks from equine buyers — for example, a 5.0-out-of-5-star rating based on customer reviews at SmartPak. Reviewers consistently note how quickly it releases knots and how soft and manageable it leaves the mane and tail.
Does the Detangler add shine?
Yes. Along with detangling, it conditions the hair to add body, volume, and a long-lasting silky shine that the brand describes as lasting multiple days. The botanical extracts are part of what gives the hair its healthy, glossy finish.
Is Mane 'n Tail Detangler fragranced?
The equine Detangler is sold as a non-fragranced, clear formula, which suits horse owners who don't want a strong scent in the barn or on a show horse. Note that the 12 oz personal-care detangler version does list a fragrance, so the horse formula and the human formula differ in this respect.
Where can I buy Mane 'n Tail Detangler?
It is widely available at equine and farm retailers including SmartPak Equine, Chewy, Tractor Supply Co, PBS Animal Health, Grange Co-op, and Mary's Tack & Feed, as well as direct from the brand at manentail.com and straightarrowinc.com. Pricing varies by retailer and bottle size.
How does Mane 'n Tail Detangler relate to the rest of the Mane 'n Tail line?
It is part of Straight Arrow's full equine grooming family, designed to be used alongside Original Mane 'n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner for best results. Straight Arrow also makes the Cowboy Magic, Exhibitor's, and Straight Arrow Therapeutic brands, but the Detangler is core to the Original Mane 'n Tail grooming routine.

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Ann Pruitt
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InfoHorse.com