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How to Grow Long Tails on a Horse

Having patience is essential when attempting to grow a horse's tail, but protecting the tail from damage is equally important. For many horses, most of the damage done to the tail happens because their owners wash and brush the tail excessively, which prevents growth and damages the follicles. Owners should instead practice healthy habits to promote tail growth, and they should leave the tail alone so that it can grow to be a long and flowing thing of beauty.

Things You'll Need

Shampoo
Leave-in conditioner
Tail wrap
Nutritional supplements
Baby oil

Instructions

- 1
  Change your horse's feed to a complete grain for improved nutrition. Add a flax-based supplement that can enhance the quality of the coat and tail and lead to faster growth. Multivitamins are also beneficial.
- 2
  Wash your horse's udders or sheath, anus and hindquarters to ensure that there is nothing causing your horse to itch, such as insects or a fungus. Wash the tail only when necessary, but be sure to check for insects and fungus along the dock as well. By keeping these areas clean, you are preventing your horse from needing to scratch itches in these areas by rubbing its tail along a wall or fence. Follow up with a nourishing conditioner on the tail that can be left in for added moisture.
- 3
  Use your fingers to detangle the tail if it is absolutely necessary. Do not use a comb or brush, as this damages the tail and prevents growth.
- 4
  Dress your horse with a tail wrap to protect the tail, especially when shipping your horse or stalling it for long periods of time.
- 5
  Braid the tail during the winter and apply baby oil to it to both moisturize the dock and keep the tail itself from drying out, which could lead your horse to rub it against a damaging surface.

Animals & Science