[Redfishy]

Oh I don't have any issues with my boy's tail other than the frizzy top. How do I "tame" it? I've got some MTG and been loosely braiding it in the top but wanted some other ideas as well. I just started that yesterday, so dunno if it'll work or not.

I thought about something like this, would it work?


I would take it off/out every other or every day to clean or what else needs to be done if I got the wrap.

Does regular vet wrap work? I was told not to leave it on tails too long (don't remember why), anyone know why? Hehe I HAVE vet wrap but not a tail wrap why asking.

[Heavenly Jumper]

You really shouldn't leave a wrap of any kind on the dock of a tail for more than a few hours. They can cut off the blood supply and kill the skin and hair up there. Not worth the risk. It is frizzy because he is rubbing the hairs so much that they are breaking. Short hairs stick up and look frizzy...

WHY is he rubbing the top of his tail?

Any signs of skin fungus or condition making the skin itchy? Flakiness or scabs...

How's his worming schedule? Worms can make them rub...

When was the last time he had his sheath cleaned? That can get itchy...

Keeping MTG on the dock is a great start. Braiding it however up there is NOT. It can put tension on the hairs and make him rub worse.

[Quick2Skip01]

I agree with HJ- dont leave a wrap on the dock. I only use a tail wrap or vet wrap if they are going in the trailer I think they might rub their tail a little bit.

Ive been just MTGing my boys all winter, and it has grown out a few inches and it lays quite nice.

If you are worried about it at shows- usually if you keep a slinky on them the night before, it keeps it laying flat regardless of how frizzy it is.

[Redfishy]

I haven't noticed him rubbing his tail, that was my first thought too. No skin funk going on up there either, I checked yesterday when I was washing it.

He is wormed regularly and rotated out.

Sheath cleaned 1x/week, he's a dirty boy!

The braid has only been staying in a few hours before I take it out, as like you said I'm scared of it breaking or anything like that. Yea I knew that about the top tail things, I think that's why no to the vet wrap at the top.

I'll go take a pic of his tail to show, but it might be greased down from the MTG.

Originally Posted by HeavenlyJumper

You really shouldn't leave a wrap of any kind on the dock of a tail for more than a few hours. They can cut off the blood supply and kill the skin and hair up there. Not worth the risk. It is frizzy because he is rubbing the hairs so much that they are breaking. Short hairs stick up and look frizzy...

WHY is he rubbing the top of his tail?

Any signs of skin fungus or condition making the skin itchy? Flakiness or scabs...

How's his worming schedule? Worms can make them rub...

When was the last time he had his sheath cleaned? That can get itchy...

Keeping MTG on the dock is a great start. Braiding it however up there is NOT. It can put tension on the hairs and make him rub worse.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Hmmm....

How often are you combing/brushing it?

*thinking*

Are there a lot of bugs out?

[Quick2Skip01]

How thorough are these 1x a week sheath cleanings?

Sometimes this can make things worse versus helping. (I understand some geldings can get really dirty really quick but if you clean it frequently they can get build up quicker.)

I clean Skip usually 2x a year if that. If I have a show, and dont want him to drop and look crusty I usually just rub a little baby oil on there.

Skip likes to hang out in the corners of his stall and his pasture, and will back himself up right into the corner and just stand there- This is when I have noticed him losing hair on the top of the tail.

[Redfishy]

Brushing maybe 1x a week?

Prob as many bugs as you have over there.

This is what it looks like slicked down, when not slicked down with MTG it flares out. Dunno if you can tell but that slightly different shaded spot next to his tail is the same length as that section of tail b/c its normally frizzed out over that part of his butt. Hopefully that's clear.



Cleanings aren't overly thorough, just the major stuff. I do REALLY clean it a few times a year and then about every week while out grazing get the main stuff out.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Well, I can tell you that you don't need to brush it that much. I brush out my mares tail MAYBE 3 times a YEAR. Here is her tail -



What kind of products are you using and how much? Some stuff makes the tail worse...even some fly sprays can contribute to dryness.

[royalrox]

have you had him out in the sun after applying the MTG, that can really mess up the hair...

[Redfishy]

very little cowboy magic is used

I know less is better on the brushing but I can't stand not brushing it. Maybe the MTG will help keep it held down.

Tiff has a pretty tail!