Sheen/Rag Oil/Absorbine Mixture

[Tallcool1]

I have been reading a lot about Rag Oil.  It is a really dry winter for us, and 2 of our steers are really shaggy.  I need to start getting something into their hair for some moisture.

I pretty much get the 2:1 sheen to rag oil theory...every 2 or 3 days.  Spray it on, wipe it with a rag (work it down to the skin), or comb it in, and then blow it IN until they are dry.

Then the day before a show (or night before), add 4 ounces of Absorbine linament to a gallon of the 2:1 mixture.  Wet them down pretty good with that mix, comb or rag it in really good, and dry them.  The next morning give them a quick rinse and the hair will pop like no other.  I have even read to add Scope Mouth Wash instead of Absorbine.

Some go 2:1 + 6oz, some go 3:1 + 4oz, some use the 2:1 everyday, others say it will smoke the hair right off.  I like the idea of what rag oil will do in terms of adding moisture.  I just feel as if I am playing with fire as far as the additives. 

Here is my question:  What is the purpose of the Absorbine?  What does that stuff do?  Is this the Absorbine that you buy in a pharmacy, or is it the Absorbine Veterinary Linament?  The two main ingredients in Absorbine are Absinthium OIL, and Acetone!!!  That is fingernail polish remover!!!

Can someone please shed some light on this for me, and please don't refer me to an older post.  I have been reading them for 3 hours, and they are just plain obscure and confusing.

 

[chambero]

Absorbine veterinary linament and Electric shave are sometimes used for the same purpose mixed with Show Sheen.  My technical term is it makes hair go "poof" - good to use for clipping and for show prep.  It's what I use - I don't like the stickiness of Zoom Bloom or other stuff.  But I'll mix maybe an inch of absorbine in a quart spray bottle and then fill with show sheen.

A rag oil/show sheen mixture is excellent for daily use when you don't mind the hair being oily or if you are trying to avoid dandruff.  But its not for use on show day.  You can use Wal Mart pink oil or some of the other Sullivan/Weaver products for the same purpose.  I forget the name, but I'm using the Weaver conditioner this year mixed with show sheen and really like it. 

 

[Tallcool1]

Absorbine veterinary linament and Electric shave are sometimes used for the same purpose mixed with Show Sheen.  My technical term is it makes hair go "poof" - good to use for clipping and for show prep.  It's what I use - I don't like the stickiness of Zoom Bloom or other stuff.  But I'll mix maybe an inch of absorbine in a quart spray bottle and then fill with show sheen.

A rag oil/show sheen mixture is excellent for daily use when you don't mind the hair being oily or if you are trying to avoid dandruff.  But its not for use on show day.  You can use Wal Mart pink oil or some of the other Sullivan/Weaver products for the same purpose.  I forget the name, but I'm using the Weaver conditioner this year mixed with show sheen and really like it.

I understand what you mean by "poof".  Apparently there is something about the weight of the Absorbine/Electric Shave that is just right.  It isn't heavy enough to weight the hair DOWN, but isn't sticky to make the hair stay UP......it ends up making the hair stick straight out.  That makes sense.

For daily care and rag oil, I have no problem with our calves being oily.  I know they are going to attract dust, but they are going to get rinsed anyway.  Do you continue to use it when the steers are in the cooler?

 

[chambero]

I dont mix enough rag oil or whatever with the sheen to make their hair truly oily.  We don't use a cooler, but we do use that kind of mixture at least 2-3times a week all year

 

[ferkj]

We use the rag oil/ sheen mix in winter then switch to mixing sheen with Infusium 23 leave in hair conditioner in the summer time.  It's lighter than the rag oil is and our hair isn't nearly as dry in summer.  The thing you will find with mixes is that everyone has their own because thats what works for them in their situation.  You may have to try several different formulas/ratios till you you find the one that works for you.