Updating the tail and tail hair: how to do it right

Tail hair: what exactly is it?

The tail hair is the hair that grows at the top of the tail, from the tail root. This hair forms the 'back' of the tail and largely determines how full and well-groomed the tail looks. In many horses the tail hair grows thick and dense, in others somewhat thinner or with a tendency to stick out. Maintaining the tail hair involves two techniques: pulling (by hand) and trimming (with scissors or clippers). Pulling gives a natural, smooth result and is preferred by sport and dressage riders. Trimming is faster but sometimes leaves a slightly stiffer finished edge.

How often should you comb the tail?

Less is more when it comes to combing. Every time you run a wide comb or brush through the tail, you break hairs. For most horses, finger-combing 2 to 3 times per week combined with a detangler spray is sufficient. Only use a wide-toothed comb if the tail has genuinely matted areas. If you compete regularly, you can loosely braid the tail during the week or keep it in a tail net to reduce breakage and dirt.

Pulling the tail hair: step by step

Pulling works best after exercise, when the skin is slightly warm and supple. Take a small tuft of hair at a time — never more than 4 to 5 hairs at once — and pull quickly downward in the direction of hair growth. Start at the sides and work towards the centre. How far down you need to pull depends on the horse and the desired thickness. For most disciplines, aim for a flat, neat top section of approximately 15 to 20 cm.

• Always work in the direction of hair growth
• Never pull more than 4–5 hairs at a time
• Use your thumb as support on the skin to distribute the pulling force
• Wait 24 hours before a competition after pulling — the skin may become slightly irritated
• Avoid using a rosin block unless the horse is very sensitive; this can cause hair breakage

When to trim instead of pull?

Not every horse tolerates pulling. Young horses, horses with sensitive skin, or horses that simply are not comfortable with it are better off being trimmed. Scissors with a serrated cutting edge (a thinning shear) give a more natural result than regular scissors. Set clippers to size 10 or 15 mm for a neat finish. Always trim from top to bottom and check the overall appearance as you go — you can always remove more, but you cannot put it back.

Trimming the tail end: straight or V-shape?

Trim the tail end only once your horse is standing still with its weight evenly distributed. Hold the tail at the height at which the horse carries it during movement — place a hand under the dock to do this. A straight finish at hip height (or slightly above) is common in show jumping. A slight V-shape or a line tapering towards the back is popular in dressage. Always cut with a sharp, wide pair of scissors in one smooth stroke; sawing causes split ends.

Keeping track of maintenance in your horse profile

It may sound excessive, but a brief note after each grooming session is enormously helpful. By recording in EquiSight's horse profile when you last updated the tail hair, you can quickly see whether you are falling behind. You can also set reminders via the calendar — for example, every 6 weeks for a tail hair maintenance session. This way you build a consistent routine and your horse always looks well-groomed, even on unexpected competition days.

Products that really help

• Detangler spray: daily use significantly reduces breakage when loosening the tail
• Argan or coconut oil: a small amount on the tail root promotes growth
• Thinning shear: for naturally trimmed tail hair without a hard edge
• Tail net or braid: prevents dirt and tangles in the pasture
• Wide-toothed comb (8+ mm spacing): causes less breakage than a fine comb or brush