LET'S TALK TAIL!
A few posts ago, we talked about the different types of manes and ways to care for them.
Today, is all about tails!
As with manes, tails can vary in length, and style depending on Breed standards, your Human's personal preferences, etc.
For example, many draft and carriage breeds are required to keep their tails cut short.
Others such as most gaited or some pony breed standards prefer their animals to grow their tails as long and thick as possible.
This "matience braid" should be undone once a week while the tail is washed, and redone after the hair dries and is brushed out.
A horse's tail should have about a half inch cut off at least every other month, this will encourage fresh hair growth.
NOTE: It is important that you never PULL our tails as it does not grow back nearly as fast and can cause permanent damage.
Hope this helps some of you with your Ponies' "booty beauty"
routines!
Today, is all about tails!
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| Morgan Stallion With Beautiful tail! (Photo found on Google) |
As with manes, tails can vary in length, and style depending on Breed standards, your Human's personal preferences, etc.
For example, many draft and carriage breeds are required to keep their tails cut short.
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| Hackney Horse With His Tail Trimmed Short (Photo found on Google) |
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| American Saddlebred With Her Tail Grown Out (Photo found on Google) |
On average however, most horse owners prefer to keep their horses' tails (what Mommy likes to call) " Maintainably Long", Short enough to not be stepped on, but normally long enough to cover the top of the fetlocks.
Mommy currently keeps my tail "maintainably long",
Mommy currently keeps my tail "maintainably long",
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| My Current Tail |
Maintanably Long Tail Care
Brushing & Detangler:
Mommy uses detangler on my tail three - five times a week.
Her favorite brands of detangler are (the same as with my mane):
but she definitely prefers the Super Body Shine.
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| ShowSheen Show Ring Shine (Photo found on Google) |
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| Cowboy Magic Super Body Shine (Photo found on Google) |
Unlike my mane however, not every time my tail is sprayed is it also brushed out.
Normally, every other time my tail is sprayed is when Mommy brushes it out.
Normally, every other time my tail is sprayed is when Mommy brushes it out.
Whenever possible (if my tail isn't too tangled) Mommy uses a soft bristled hair brush on it.
NOTE: No matter what type of brush you are using make sure to start by selecting a section of hair from the bottom of the tail and work you way up.
NOTE: No matter what type of brush you are using make sure to start by selecting a section of hair from the bottom of the tail and work you way up.
(This is the same with my mane as you might remember) This type of brush is easier on the hairs than the average mane and tail brush and is less likely to cause split ends.
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| Typical Soft Bristle Human Hair Brush. (Photo found on Google) |
Obviously, you can find brushes like these at your local dollar store or supermarket.
If my tail is too tangled for the soft bristled brush than Mommy will use a Mane and Tail brush, you can get at the tack store.
But, she NEVER uses combs of any kind, on either my mane or tail! They tend to be harsher on the hairs but also don't tend to help with the tangles, only cause more.
Detangling regularly helps keep the tail hairs healthy, which is of course, the desired goal.
Detangling regularly helps keep the tail hairs healthy, which is of course, the desired goal.
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| My Healthy Tail |
Washing:
About once a month Mommy with bathe my mane and tail with shampoo and conditioner.
She really likes the Elite Equine Evolution Shampoo
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| Elite Equine Evolution Anti-bacterial Shampoo (Photo found on Google) |
but she is looking for a new conditioner, the one she has leaves a slight film on the hairs.
Long Tail Care:
It probably goes without saying, but just like in Humans, horses with longer hair need more maintenance than those with short hair.
The best way to care for a long tail (and mane) that is kept loose is to spray it with detangler at least every other day and brush it out at least three times a week to avoid dread locks.
Long tails ideally should be shampooed and conditioned once a week.
A better way to maintain a long tail is to put it into an even braid after it is washed.
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| Maintenance Braids In Both Mane & Tail (Photo found on Google) |
It should be done tightly to keep from falling out but not tightly enough to snap any hairs or pull too hard on the horse's tail bone.
NOTE: A horse that rubs his tail should not be braided as he might rub off the hairs.
As with the mane, there are also many forms of products on the market that were designed to help protect long manes.
As with the mane, there are also many forms of products on the market that were designed to help protect long manes.
The most popular product is called a tail bag. Obviously these come in many different sizes and styles.
Our tail is either braided or "stuffed" into the tail bag which is then tied at the base of our tail bone to protect our hairs but also let us keep our "natural fly swatter".
Our tail is either braided or "stuffed" into the tail bag which is then tied at the base of our tail bone to protect our hairs but also let us keep our "natural fly swatter".
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| Braided Tail Bag (photo found on Google) |
Pulling & Trimming:
A horse's tail should have about a half inch cut off at least every other month, this will encourage fresh hair growth.
NOTE: It is important that you never PULL our tails as it does not grow back nearly as fast and can cause permanent damage.
Hope this helps some of you with your Ponies' "booty beauty"
routines!
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