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How to Get Your Horse's Tail to Grow Long

The idea of a long, thick and healthy tail for your horse may seem like nothing more than a fantasy, but with patience and some effort, any horse can have a healthy tail. The most important thing is to stop damaging habits, such as brushing the tail excessively. Sometimes the best tactic is to leave the tail alone, but there are some helpful methods that will encourage faster growth. Still, it can take six months to a year for a tail to grow down to the fetlocks, so patience is key.

Things You'll Need

Conditioner
Tail Wrap
Nutritional Supplements
Baby Oil
Moisturizing Shampoo

Instructions

Methods for a Healthy, Long Tail
- 1
  Add high quality nutritional supplements to a complete feed for your horse. Supplements such as flax seed or a flax-based supplement can enrich your horse's feed with Omega-3s for healthy tail growth.
- 2
  Wash your horse's tail, udders or sheath, anus and hindquarters to ensure that there is nothing causing your horse to itch, such as insects or fungus. Follow up with a deep, leave-in conditioner for the tail. The cleaner these areas the less likely the horse will be to rub his tail against a tree, fence or stall wall.
- 3
  Stop brushing or combing the tailing. Use your fingers to de-tangle the tail if it is absolutely necessary. The less you handle the tail, the faster it will grow.
- 4
  Use a tail wrap around the dock to prevent damage being done to the tail along the dock. This is especially important when shipping your horse. Keep the tail protected.
- 5
  Crop the tail so that it is no longer than the fetlocks. If a horse can step on their tail, then they can inadvertently pull the tail straight out of the dock.
- 6
  Braid the tail throughout the winter, and apply baby oil to prevent dryness. This will not only keep the dock moisturized, but will encourage healthy growth throughout the winter months. However, do not braid during the summer months because the horse needs the tail for swatting flies.

Animals & Science