How to Use a Tail Bag

You want your horse to have the same flowing, thick, clean tail that the other horses have, but instead your horse's tail has become messy-looking. Instead of just staring jealously at the tails of the horses around you, you can put your horse's tail in a tail bag for protection. A tail bag is a long tube, usually made of Lycra and/or nylon, that braids into your horse's tail and holds the long tail hairs inside.

Things You'll Need

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Tail bag
  • Detangler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Shampoo and rinse your horse's tail thoroughly, then work in and rinse out conditioner. You may have to repeat several times to get a white or gray tail completely clean. Be sure you get all residue rinsed out by feeling the hair and skin next to the tailbone; soap residue will cause your horse's tail to itch and he'll start rubbing hair out.

    • 2

      Hand-pick tangles out of your horse's tail, then comb out with a wide-toothed comb by starting at the ends of the hair.

    • 3

      Find the bottom of your horse's tailbone, about one-third of the way down from the top of your horse's hindquarters. Separate the hairs just below the bone into three sections and braid to the bottom of the tail.

    • 4

      Insert the braided part of the tail into the tail bag. A very long tail may need to be gently folded to fit inside the bag.

    • 5

      Tie the bag to the tail by pulling one of the tabs at the top of the bag between two of the braid's sections.

    • 6

      Take the second tab and wrap this one around the whole braid. Check that you're keeping the tab under the tailbone. Tie the two tabs together using whatever type of knot you prefer. You may want to avoid any knot that may tighten on its own or when wet.

    • 7

      Take the bag out and unbraid your horse's tail every few weeks so that you can wash it and braid it back up. Check your horse's tail for signs of rubbing or irritation, such as broken hairs.