I brush and fuss with my 2 mares, they are my Barbie replacements ...40 is a little old to be carrying around a Barbie , and the mares have OK manes and tails, they tend to break at the base, and the person before me did a lot of clipping around the tail, so thats still growing. Now , my gelding hates to have his hair brushed , and I only get to do it a few times a year...his mane forelock and tail puts "Super Star Barbie" to shame , his mane is to his leg, way past the shoulder , and the tail is breakage free and long and thick...I would have to say for me the more I fuss the worse it looks. I use "Biosilk" its a silk infused oil that absorbs right into the hair and strengthens it instead of coating it...I dont think it helps to be honest , stick with the cheap stuff.