Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner

A truly glossy coat is the first thing the eye lands on in the show ring, and it is the clearest sign that a horse is groomed with care. Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner from Mane 'n Tail was built around that single goal: a deep, reflective shine that looks like the light is bouncing back off the hair. It is an original breakthrough formula that cleanses gently while leaving the coat, mane, and tail unbelievably soft, silky, and ready to catch the light.

What makes Ultimate Gloss shine differently?

Most shampoos clean a horse. Ultimate Gloss is engineered to finish one. The shampoo delivers a rich lather that lifts away tough dirt, sweat, and stubborn stains, then rinses out cleanly so no dulling residue is left behind to flatten the coat. As the hair dries, the reflective-shine technology is what you actually see — a high, mirror-like gloss rather than the chalky finish that residue-heavy products leave. It is a pH-balanced formula gentle enough for daily use, and it helps clear away dry skin and dander along the way.

How does the conditioner finish the job?

Shine is only half of a healthy-looking coat — the other half is manageability. The Ultimate Gloss Conditioner is a deep-penetrating, moisturizing formula that detangles the mane and tail so they comb out smoothly instead of snagging and breaking. It works to build volume while restoring elasticity and strength to the hair, and like the shampoo it is pH-balanced and safe for everyday grooming. Use the two together as a system and you get the full effect: cleansed, conditioned, tangle-free hair finished with that signature reflective gloss.

Why does the Mane 'n Tail name matter here?

Mane 'n Tail and its parent, Straight Arrow Products, have been making trusted grooming solutions for horses for more than fifty years. That long track record is the reason Ultimate Gloss can lean on words like “breakthrough” without overselling — the brand has spent decades learning what keeps a coat, mane, and tail healthy and show-ready. Ultimate Gloss is the modern expression of that experience, packaged as a simple two-step shampoo-and-conditioner system you can reach for every day.

---

Who makes Ultimate Gloss, and why does that pedigree matter?
Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner comes from Mane 'n Tail®, a brand that began in 1970 on a small Arabian-horse farm in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Founders Phil and Bonnie Katzev created it because quality equine grooming products simply did not exist at the time, and Phil, a trained chemist, developed the deep-conditioning formulas himself. More than fifty years later the company remains family-owned and operated, led by their youngest son Devon Katzev, and is based in Easton, Pennsylvania.

What exactly is the Ultimate Gloss system?

It is a two-step show-grooming system built around a single goal: a deep, premium reflective shine. The Ultimate Gloss Shampoo (SKU 54449 in 16 oz, 54450 in 32 oz, plus a 1-gallon size) gently and deeply cleanses for a soft, silky, residue-free coat, while the Ultimate Gloss Conditioner (SKU 54458-E, barcode 727556544580) combines natural oils and proteins to build volume, restore elasticity, and strengthen the mane and tail. Used together, the pair is engineered to leave hair with what the brand calls "a brilliant ultimate gloss."

What is in the formula, and what does each part do?
The Ultimate Gloss Shampoo lists Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Cocamide Dipa, PEG-8 Amodimethicone, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate among its ingredients, blending gentle surfactants for a rich, easy-rinsing lather with conditioning agents that lay the hair cuticle down flat for shine. The Conditioner relies on natural oils and proteins to moisturize brittle, damaged hair, helping prevent breakage and split ends while detangling and volumizing for easier combing. Both are made in the USA.

How is it used on a horse?

The shampoo is a concentrate: the directions call for mixing 2-4 oz of product per gallon of water, working the rich lather through the coat, mane, and tail, then rinsing. The Ultimate Gloss Conditioner is pH-balanced for daily application and is versatile enough to be left in or rinsed out depending on the look you want. For the deepest reflective finish, Mane 'n Tail recommends pairing the conditioner directly with the matching shampoo.

Why do equestrians reach for it before the show ring?

The system is designed for the moment a judge first lays eyes on a horse, when a high-gloss coat reads instantly as careful, professional grooming. Because the shampoo is gentle and pH-balanced, it suits frequent bath-day use without over-cleansing or irritating skin, and it actively helps eliminate dry skin and dander. The same formulas are gentle enough to be safe for dogs as well, making the bottle useful across the whole barn.

How do you buy it, and is it guaranteed?
Both the Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner are sold directly at manentailequine.com, with the 16 oz size starting from $12.99 and larger 32 oz and 1-gallon options available for those who bathe often or run a busy show string. Mane 'n Tail backs the line with a "Satisfaction guaranteed" promise, and the company can be reached at on weekdays from 9am to 4pm EST.