How to Make Your Horse's Tail Look Longer

Not all horses have thick, long or lustrous tails. Some breeds, such as Appaloosas, have a tendency to have thin or brittle manes and tails. Other horses may have naturally lackluster tails or have damaged their tails. Young horses sometimes simply become taller more quickly than than their tails are growing downward. There is no quick way to make a horse's tail grow naturally thicker or longer, but you can improve the tail's appearance by taking care of it properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Growth formula horse shampoo and tail conditioner
  • Tail detangler
  • Mane/tail comb
  • Baby oil
  • Tail extension
  • Tail bag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush out your horse's tail. Knots in the tail can make it appear shorter. Do not break the hair, as that will make the tail shorter. Instead, use a tail detangler or soak the knots in baby oil to loosen the tangles. Pick the tangles out with the tail comb or your fingers. Untangling serious knots may take several hours or even several days.

    • 2

      Shampoo and condition the tail using a growth formula horse shampoo and tail conditioner. These products vary in effectiveness. All horses are different, so a product may work well on one horse and not on another. You may have to try several products to get the desired results. Do not expect results overnight.

    • 3

      Purchase a tail extension the same color as your horse's natural tail. Also called fake tails, tail extensions are sections of real or synthetic horse hair that can be braided, hooked or woven into the natural tail to give the impression of a long, thick, glossy tail. Many owners of show horses use these in the ring. Extensions are only designed to be worn occasionally. Do not leave a tail extension attached when the horse is not participating in an event in which you want it to look good. Do not turn a horse out in the pasture with an extension still attached, as the extension will be destroyed and the tail may be damaged.

    • 4

      Incorporate the care of your horse's tail into your regular grooming routine. Keep your horse's tail free of knots and tangles, untangling it with your fingers regularly. (Too much brushing can pull out and break hairs.) Shampoo and condition it regularly with the growth shampoo. Put the tail into a tail bag to protect it in the pasture.