Our History
Beginning on a rural family farm in New Jersey, Philip and Bonnie Katzev created the original Mane ‘n Tail conditioner as a solution for their Arabian show horses. This conditioning solution created fuller, thicker, healthier manes and tails and neutralized the effects of the harsh cleaning products on the market at that time. They quickly realized that all horses needed something better, and in 1970 Straight Arrow Products, Inc was founded and started manufacturing Mane ‘n Tail products.
As the equestrian market started to take notice of the products and the results, they learned that not only was Mane ‘n Tail shampoo and conditioner a great choice for their beloved horses, but also for themselves. Soon, those ‘in-the-know’ were experiencing the ‘unbridled’ results of longer, stronger, fuller, healthier hair of their own.
More products followed quickly, a moisturizing, healing treatment for dry, cracked, brittle hooves named Hoofmaker. Then Phillip Katzev invented a cool blue, topical pain formula for horses, Mineral Ice, that was created to help some of the greatest racing and competitive horses with pain and inflammation. Soon they outgrew the farm.
In the late 1980’s, Straight Arrow Products, Inc. transitioned their corporate/plant headquarters to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to help further create new products for both horses and people.
After more than 50 years in business, Straight Arrow has held onto its grassroots approach, holding in high regard the same quality control, integrity and family spirit of its origins. All products are still manufactured in Pennsylvania and Mane ‘n Tail is still owned and operated by the second generation of the family, Devon B. Katzev, who continues to grow the company and expand the product line.
Our Mission
Satisfy the Customer
Satisfy the Customer” is a simple but true statement…My family started Straight Arrow in our home on our family farm with this simple mission! Our grooming and personal care products are designed with high quality ingredients meeting the same performance standards time and time again for overall customer satisfaction. While we don’t manufacture on the farm today, we manufacture all our products in our state-of-the-art facilities in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania with a continued drive and commitment for quality products.
Our commitment and drive continued with our acquisitions of Cowboy Magic and Exhibitor’s brands, furthering our desire to create and maintain quality products with standards and results that speak for themselves.
We want our customers to know we’ll continue to do our part to always “Satisfy the Customer”. On behalf of our Straight Arrow family, we thank all our customers who continue to make us their choice for grooming and personal care needs.
Thank you!
Devon B. Katzev
Straight Arrow President
