How to Neatly Trim Your Horse's Tail Safely

with extensions or “fake tails.”

Any owner wishing to emphasize length and volume will need to prevent tail hair breakage. This can only be achieved with careful brushing using a soft-bristled brush designed for textured hair or manually breaking up tangles ("picking") with ample use of detangler. Horse tails are often wrapped in tail bags, especially if length is to be promoted. Make sure to only wrap the tail below the tail bone to maintain blood circulation in the part of the live tail.

There are two areas where the tail may be trimmed to neaten appearance—at the tailhead and the bottom. The tail head has fine, wispy hairs that are much shorter than the rest of the tail. These may be trimmed with very sharp salon scissors or with electrical clippers to the level of the longer, sleeker hairs below. Alternatively, this area may be braided or hair gel may be applied to reduce the “flyaway” appearance of the tailhead for showing. Braids should always be taken out immediately after showing to reduce hair breakage and promote blood supply to the tailhead.

Steps of Trimming a Horse Tail

1. With your cutting hand, reach under the tail at the top and elevate the tailbone with your forearm. Gauge the length of tail you want removed, considering your horse’s natural tail carriage. Reach down to grasp the bottom of the tail at the level you want to trim it with your other hand. You can then remove your cutting hand from underneath the tail head to trim.

2.  Trim the tail standing up with the length of tail you want trimmed in your non-dominant hand. This will keep your head away from the horse’s hind legs if they get spooked and prevent you from removing too much tail. Remove only a bit at a time—you can always take more!

3. Once the tail is trimmed to the length desired, neaten or bang the tail by trimming any errant long pieces. Let the tail fall, then pick the ends back up with your non-dominant and direct it towards yourself so you can see the end well. Trim any long pieces without taking more length from the bulk of the tail. Repeat this three times to achieve a neat, square appearance.

While the purpose of a horse’s tail is to swat away pests, a lush, long, shiny tail is an emblem of good health and care in many stables and show rings. Grooming, in general, is a great non-food treat for horses and a way to promote the human-animal bond