Braiding the tail

horselover2005 · 06-04-2004, 12:26 PM

I have heard that if you braid a horses tail that it will grow longer, but I also have heard that I if you braid a horses tail it will take longer to grow longer.
What do u think

AQHA1972 · 06-04-2004, 12:35 PM

I know a lot of people say both those things. But I don't believe either. How would braiding help enhance growth. Growth comes from the folicle. The only thing I can think of is that braiding my help with breakage, which would mean less breakage, longer tail.

tn walker · 06-04-2004, 01:21 PM

I have found that braiding can be beneficial to tail growth if properly done. If done right, it reduces breakage. It is also protected, and the weight of the braid stimulates the hair to grow more rapidly from the follicle. Plus conditioning strengthens the hair and keeps is from being broken by being stepped on or ripped out.

GiddyUpScoot · 06-04-2004, 07:26 PM

Quote:

I have found that braiding can be beneficial to tail growth if properly done. If done right, it reduces breakage. It is also protected, and the weight of the braid stimulates the hair to grow more rapidly from the follicle. Plus conditioning strengthens the hair and keeps is from being broken by being stepped on or ripped out.

I couldn't have said it better myself *lol*

If the tail is braided tightly it won't grow very fast. Many people tend to braid tightly and too close to the tail bone... this causes the tail to break more and this is probably why people have told you that it takes longer for the tail to grow when you put it up.

I put my horses tail up all year round ( i leave ethe "feathers" out plus a little more since he is turned out). His tail never grew before I started putting it up (it was literally the same length for just over 2 years!) His tail grew about a foot in just under a year and now drags about 6" on the ground. We have a few horses at the barn who have tails that are the length of thier body (and then some), and were "normal" length when we got them. You just have to make sure you keep it clean, especially the feathers, to keep it from getting irritated and causing rubbing. I usually do my horses tail once a month... other than that it stays up. We use Infusium 23 hair products (shampoo, Power Pac Conditioner, and the Leave-In treatment) on all of our horses at the barn. It's a little more expensive, but it is the best shampoo/conditioner that I have ever used, especially on those long tails. I also use hot oil on the tail every time I wash it to help moisturize it.

If you need any help/pointers on how to braid a tail correctly, just ask - I'd be glad to tell you how we do it here

~Nikki & Scotty~

Chocolate Dream · 06-06-2004, 10:41 AM

I'd love the tail braiding pointers! Haha I'm getting pretty good with manes but haven't attempted a tail yet because my horse likes to rub his off. It's horrid. I'm working on that lol. But yeah, any tips would be highly appreciated, pictures too!!

Khafona gurl · 06-15-2004, 11:37 AM

Both. I braid my horses tail and know it's longer

QTRgirl · 06-15-2004, 11:51 AM

Is the braiding of a horses tail and/or mane only for certain types of horses, or would anytime of horse look good.

Super_Trooper · 06-15-2004, 12:18 PM

I have never braided my horses tail, and he has a LONG, ringlet tail more magnificent then I have ever seen in my life......I agree with Christa about the braiding perhaps helping eliminate breaking, but I dont think it helps it to grow....per say. I know that I have tried everything with my OWN hair, and braiding does not work. haha!

Khafona gurl · 06-15-2004, 06:37 PM

I think it helps it grow because it keeps the tail out of the cold air and muck and stuff that can make it brake off that is if you use tail bag too

barrelgirl08 · 06-15-2004, 07:59 PM

no offense or anything guys but i started braiding my horses tail and it started breaking off from the top in huge hunks when i would take it out he lost about half his tail. I think that it is just so dry in the summer that it is better to leave it down cuss eventually u have to take the braid out and its usually so dry and brittle that it breaks, but thats just my personal opinion.

06-04-2004, 12:26 PM	#1
horselover2005 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 421	Braiding the tail I have heard that if you braid a horses tail that it will grow longer, but I also have heard that I if you braid a horses tail it will take longer to grow longer. What do u think

06-04-2004, 12:35 PM	#2
AQHA1972 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 2,586	I know a lot of people say both those things. But I don't believe either. How would braiding help enhance growth. Growth comes from the folicle. The only thing I can think of is that braiding my help with breakage, which would mean less breakage, longer tail. Last edited by AQHA1972; 06-04-2004 at 01:09 PM.

06-04-2004, 01:21 PM	#3
tn walker Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NC Posts: 1,332 Images: 36	I have found that braiding can be beneficial to tail growth if properly done. If done right, it reduces breakage. It is also protected, and the weight of the braid stimulates the hair to grow more rapidly from the follicle. Plus conditioning strengthens the hair and keeps is from being broken by being stepped on or ripped out. __________________ My horse is SPOTTED. Paint comes in cans and Pintos are beans Shady Oaks Farm Specializing in the sound and versatile TWH and SSH www.freewebs.com/shadyoaksfarm

06-15-2004, 12:18 PM	#8
Super_Trooper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC Canada Posts: 9,472 Images: 77	I have never braided my horses tail, and he has a LONG, ringlet tail more magnificent then I have ever seen in my life......I agree with Christa about the braiding perhaps helping eliminate breaking, but I dont think it helps it to grow....per say. I know that I have tried everything with my OWN hair, and braiding does not work. haha! __________________ True commitment begins when you reach the point of not knowing how you could possibly go on, and deciding to do it anyway! http://b1.lilypie.com/mCKWm7/.png

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Figure 8 tail knots step-by-step with pics	HalterGirl_88	Horse Grooming	22	02-28-2005 02:15 PM
tail....	PrettifulPonies	Horse Grooming	1	01-18-2005 08:13 AM
Growing the tail long and fast	BarrelRaceQH	Horse Grooming	10	11-05-2004 08:38 PM
Tail braiding for Hunters	emsNkeeper	Horse Grooming	15	07-02-2004 05:21 PM
Braiding The Tail....How Do You END The Braid?	APHAShowGrl	Horse Grooming	2	03-01-2004 05:54 PM

06-06-2004, 10:41 AM	#5
Chocolate Dream Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass Posts: 407	I'd love the tail braiding pointers! Haha I'm getting pretty good with manes but haven't attempted a tail yet because my horse likes to rub his off. It's horrid. I'm working on that lol. But yeah, any tips would be highly appreciated, pictures too!!

06-15-2004, 11:37 AM	#6
Khafona gurl Full Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 169	Both. I braid my horses tail and know it's longer

06-15-2004, 11:51 AM	#7
QTRgirl Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,055	Is the braiding of a horses tail and/or mane only for certain types of horses, or would anytime of horse look good.

06-15-2004, 06:37 PM	#9
Khafona gurl Full Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 169	I think it helps it grow because it keeps the tail out of the cold air and muck and stuff that can make it brake off that is if you use tail bag too

06-15-2004, 07:59 PM	#10
barrelgirl08 Full Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 59	no offense or anything guys but i started braiding my horses tail and it started breaking off from the top in huge hunks when i would take it out he lost about half his tail. I think that it is just so dry in the summer that it is better to leave it down cuss eventually u have to take the braid out and its usually so dry and brittle that it breaks, but thats just my personal opinion.