help! How do I protect my horse's tail hairs from always breaking at the top??

Question

To grow her tail out long, I braid it and leave it wrapped up for 4 weeks, then let it out, brush it and rebraid it and wrap it up again. She is not in heat, she doesn't have worms, but she likes to rub her butt on stuff and all the hairs at the top break off. I also use MTG...great product to help hair grow...but she still manages to break all the hairs at the top off.

Is there a safe way I can wrap the top so it won't kill her tail bone? I guess wrapping it cuts the circulation off... I have heard of a tail guard, but where can I buy one, or how do I make one myself that protects the hairs on top (but also one that still protects the rest of the tail at the bottom so it can grow nice and long)?

Answer 1

One, don't brush as much. All of us at our barn are the envy of others because of our long thick tails (that don't need extensions). Brush gently with Cowboy Magic Hair detangler and shine conditioner before shows etc. but the rest of the time we just work in the Cowboy Magic with our hands and work through. It goes against the "brush to look good" theory, but less IS more and you will notice a difference. (after all, that's not YOUR hair in the brush or comb after gently trying to brush out the tail, is it?) Professionals Choice has a neoprene tailguard that is pretty good too, but I suspect she is rubbing to get off whatever wrap or braiding you've got on her...they itch, and break off hairs VERY easily, especially the braiding. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

Stop wrapping and braiding it, you are causing the damage by doing this.



Tail guards are for travelling horses in, or for use just prior to a show, not for 24/7 use.



Just leave it alone and, so long as your horse isn't itchy, it will grow beautifully. Also don't brush or comb the tail hairs too much, this also breaks the hair.



This is my yearling horse, he lives out in a field, and I never brush his tail unless we have a show, then he gets the full treatment. In these pictures, the judge was commenting on his fabulous tail - he was only a year old!:



http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2650071180098430690tbEVsu



Use a wide toothed comb, wash and condition the tail hair 24 hours before a show, then you can braid it and just shake it out before you enter the ring

Answer 3

I know exactly what your talking about. Ive had boarders complain to me about my horses chewing off their tails.



I use tail gaurds, and tail wraps. Ive also put stuff in their tail (cant think of the name) that tastes bad when the other horses chew on it. But unless this is another horse doing this, this wont do anything



Here are some things that may help -

http://www.horse.com/depts/maindept-3__dept-29.html



-On my boarders show mare, i bought a tail bad, and wrap. She hasnt had problems since.

http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-BHP01.html

http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-BHV44.html



They also use the tail bags in trailers so they cant rub off their hair in the trailer. Im pretty sure the tail bags that go towards the bottom can stretch

Answer 4

First....braiding adds weight to the bottom of the tail causing breakage. Over days the tail will become soiled, dirty and become heavier...thus leading to top hair breakage. They make little tail wraps that you place at the top of the tail that work great.

Next you need to brush the tail daily. Despite what another post said, brusing the tail opens the pores and aids in hair growth. Daily grooming and care of the tail will help you. We try to wash the tail daily and condition it. Make sure you are rinsing the shampoo out very well, as leaving shampoo in the hair may cause irritation. You can however leave a little conditioner in the tail to aid in brushing out tangles easier.



Also, you may want to have a fecal count done along with an allergy blood graph....she may have worms or an allergy that causes her to rub.

If you have any more questions you can always email me

Answer 5

there is a special tail wrap it just covers the top hairs so they stop breaking off and i know what your going through my horse did that now her tail is growing out and it looks gross it has a puff ball at the top and then just a few strands hanging down lol

Answer 6

I use to have a horse that did this. The reason it's breaking is because she rubs it. You should de-worm her once every two weeks for six weeks. I know you said that she doesn't have worms, but chances are she does, but your just checking too early. Also, your horse may have a kind of worms where they live ON her tail.

Answer 7

You need to keep the tail bone from becoming dry. Try using baby oil or mineral oil. I use this on all my horses and ponies. Also grease the underside of the tail.

Answer 8

Medium length hair because it is easy to be able to handle and you can still do most of the hairstyles

Answer 9

One word: vasaline

just put it on the top of her tail and it should stop her from scatching it and keeps the hairs down.

Answer 10

Just leave it alone! The wraps and all that stuff cause the hair to fall out.

Answer 11

I've got mine both ways too... but our husband prefers it short... he in no way complains when I grow it very long, but is always all over him self w/the complements when I cut it off

Answer 12

Use Mane & Tails

Answer 13

use an ACE bandage, get one at your local drugstore. my friend is a champinon reiner ( FIRST in her division at CONGRESS!!!) and that is how she keeps her horses tails nice at the top. then baraids them at the bottem and does the same thing you do!!!

Answer 14

You can always buy him or her a special rug

Answer 15

don't braid her tail then!! its that simple lol