[Rhythmic Hooves]

There seem to be tons of threads about tails on here. My problem is that my horse got in the burr patch this summer and when I pulled him out of the pasture and started riding him I had to rip out a bunch of his hair. Now his tail is thin and short.

What are some suggestions on how to get a long, full tail?

I was thinking maybe a tail bag? Yes or no? Good or bad idea?

Also, feed? Anything special I should try to give him? I was thinking corn oil in feed does a nice job of shining them up but how about for his tail?

[jade HEre]

someone correct me if im wrong but i think that one way to help your horses tail to grow is to not brush it everyday, and when you do, just do the ends and get burs and stuff out with your fingers, as i have been told that brushing a horses tail everyday stunts hair growth...but i could be wrong

[Rhythmic Hooves]

Interesting... I know it tends to rip out hair but not sure about actually stunting growth.

[Capilet]

Coconut oil and as little brushing as possible. Pick out the tangles with your fingers when needed, brush a few times a month when conditioned.

[jade HEre]

Originally Posted by Capilet

Coconut oil and as little brushing as possible. Pick out the tangles with your fingers when needed, brush a few times a month when conditioned.

hummm i have heard of the coconut oil...some of my friends used it ..it worked for them

[Dressageprinces]

Hmmm... I wouldn't brush everyday. When you do brush is put some spray or something in it to get the knots out.

[Horseshoe]

Try to hold back on using show sheen and leave the tail alone for a while. Show sheen tends to dry out the tail and cause the hairs to split, brushing also causes these delicate hairs to become damaged.

I left my horse's tail alone for a couple of months, no brushing or anything and once i did put a brush through it one day i noticed it was thicker and more healthy looking in general =)

[ChestersMomma]

Lots of coconut oil and once a week MTG on the top part if your horse is not allergic. Other than that leave it alone except to pick out burs and tangles once in a while. Maybe one a month or once every two month wash and condition and maybe use a little Cowboy Magic to thoroughly but very carefully comb out the tangles.
Once I took my hands off my horses tail and stopped trying to brush it and bag it and just started using Coconut Oil and MTG... pow! Long full tail.

[dustylove]

What i do with my horses tail is put coconut oil and MTG on it every other week and keep it in a braid in tail wrap. It has grown SO much faster than it would normally, it drags on the ground now! IMO brushing doesnt do anything to the tail as long as you hold it at the top so you dont rip out the hairs. We always brush the tails of the horses at the barn and it doesnt take out much of the hair.

[LeftLeadLope]

If your horse is anywhere near burrs, tail bag all the way! My mare is kept in a stall and her tail is braided/bagged. It was just below her hocks when I bought her last year, and not it touches the ground, and I've probably trimmed a few inches off it total this year.
I've always used tail bags and always have horses with good tails. Even if they naturally don't grow a lot, the tail bag really helps.