Tale of the Tail

When I watch a horse cantering away, I love the look of the tail flowing beautifully along and streamlining the picture. Whether in the field or in the ring, that flowing and well-groomed tail completes the picture - or not! And while that beautiful picture is important, please remember that the tail is very functional, and horses that have lost their tails or have their tails cut short are at a big disadvantage in the fight against flies. 

So, what do we really need to know about caring for and grooming the horse’s tail? This article in Horse and Rider gives lot of good advice and details the four main factors they say govern tail length and thickness: nutrition, environment, the care you provide, and genes.  

Horse nutrition is something you and your vet should be discussing for many reasons. Now please add the tail as well as that shiny and perfect coat to that discussion, too! Supplements may well be a part of nutrition needs for the tail as well, often providing nutrients that benefit hair growth. 

You may not have thought much about your horse’s environment in terms of maintaining a beautiful and healthy tail. Please think again! Finding a large chunk of tail hair caught on fences or stalls is disconcerting indeed. Do what you can to minimize this kind of damage. 

The tail care you provide is the area that is most under your control. First, start with preventing itches that can cause a horse to rub (and make a mess of) its tail. Attend to anything causing itching, and your horse will not only thank you, but that lovely tail will be part of your reward. Check for mites, midges, ticks, and dandruff, and be sure your horse's sheath or udder is clean. Some seasoned trainers mention putting Listerine mouthwash in a spray bottle and spraying the itchy area once you've eliminated the source of the itching.  

After attending to itchiness, how do you actually groom the tail? Many horse owners make the mistake of using any comb or brush, but that can be a big mistake. In fact, working through the tail from bottom to top (in that order), first de-tangling it with your fingers, is the best method.

Some of our riders with the best tail care say they don’t finger comb or brush tails that are especially tangled or full of debris. Instead, they wash and use a detangler before starting the comb through process. Then, you can use a brush designed for the purpose, and take your time, holding the hair above the area you are detangling. Our riders especially like a small, curved handle brush we’ve now added to our inventory.  

Regarding your choice of cleaning products, I’ve read several articles which include good recommendations for shampoos and conditioners that are safe for the tail. Just please avoid harsh cleaners – no dishwashing or laundry detergent! The most popular choices in our tack store right now are the Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo along with their Detangler and Shine.

With good products like these, wash the tail, gently massaging the area of the tail bone and working your way down. If you've got a grey, you likely already hold stock in Quic Silver, too! Rinsing but leaving a modest amount of conditioner (just like when you use conditioner in your own hair) is the last step in the cleaning process. Use of detangling or shining products should be modest.  

One of our trainers turned our team onto Leovet’s 5-Star Detangler and Rider’s Magic (now called 5 Star Magic Style). She brushes 5-Star Detangler through the tail while it’s still damp.

Then, she uses a walnut sized amount of Rider’s Magic and evenly rakes it through the tail. After using these products, our riders don’t even feel tempted to add ShowSheen which certainly makes braiders at A shows happy! 

DNA is out of our control, but we do need to realize that some horses have “better” tails than others. And so, especially for those showing their horses, braiding in a false tail called a tail extension can give most any horse the look of a lovely tail. For more on that subject, consult horse tail extension articles such as “Hair Extensions for Horses: How to Put in a Fake Tail.”

If you go that route, make sure to get a tail bag to keep your investment safe. We have Tally Ho bags you can customize to match your helmet, garment, bridle, and boot bags. Our team designed bags with our barn colors and chose our favorite monograms. 

You can chat from the website or email us at tackandhabit@stonehousestables.com to work with us to design what you would like. 

One of the things I genuinely love about the horse business is that most horse owners and trainers are happy to answer your questions about this subject or most any other that relates to horses. And one of the best sources of advice on grooming products, tail and otherwise, will be your friendly staff at the Tack and Habit Shoppe. They know the products, the process, and the patience that it takes to make your horse look its absolute best.