How to Make a Tail Braid Wrap for Horses

Braiding a horse's tail helps to keep it full and thick. Adding in a wrap to this braid can offer additional protection because it prevents the tail hairs from snagging on fences, being stepped on by the horse or chewed on by other horses, all of which can lead to the long hairs being pulled out. Wrapping the braid also keeps the tail clean and free of debris. Wraps for the tail braid are easy to make yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Fabric
  • Sewing Machine
  • Scissors
  • Tape measure
  • Elastics
  • Tail Brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the horse's tail from the bottom of the dock to the bottom of the tail hair and add between 6 inches and 8 inches to this measurement. Use this as the length and cut out three equal pieces of fabric that are each 7 inches to 8 inches wide. You can use fabric cut from an old bed sheet or other large piece of fabric that is long and wide enough.

    • 2

      Fold each piece of fabric in half lengthwise and sew securely along the long edge starting 4 inches from the top and stopping 4 inches before the bottom. Remove the thread ends with the scissors and flip the tube inside itself so that the seam is inside the tube.

    • 3

      Cut the top and bottom portion of each tube where it has not been sewn down the center for 4 inches so that there are two equal flaps hanging freely.

    • 4

      Brush out the horse's tail so that there are no tangles and separate it into three equal sections. Wrap an elastic around the top of each section 2 inches below the dock.

    • 5

      Insert one section of the tail into one of the fabric tubes. Poke a finger through the tail section just above the elastic and thread one of the tube's flaps through it. Tie a knot with the two flaps to hold up the wrap. Repeat the process with the other two sections of the tail.

    • 6

      Use the three sections of tail in the tubes and braid down to the end. Secure all three together with an elastic just above the remaining flaps. The remaining flap ends will mimic the horse's natural tail and allow it to effectively swat at flies.