Earlier today, @classisyours asked me how to grow a tail. So in turn, I told her I’d make this post. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask!
Just a quick overview: I’ve been a professional groom for 12+ years, and have dealt with tails ranging from Appaloosa tails to Andalusian tails and everything inbetween. I’ve grown tails back from chemical burns, and just grown tails that were never good to begin with. I’ve also had the glamorous task of keeping white tails white.
So, here it is. How to grow a tail (this works with manes too):
Wash and condition the tail with a normal human shampoo. It’s gentle, efficient, and cheaper than any “equine” shampoo you’ll find. We use whatever is in bulk at Costco, which is usually Pantine. Plus it smells good.
Make sure you’ve rinsed EVERYTHING out of the hair. I mean everything. Do the bucket test. Don’t know what the bucket test is? Take a bucket full of clean water and swirl the tail in it until the tail comes out clean. Yeah, I mean filling up your bucket with clean water, swirling, dumping it out, more clean water. Lather, rinse, repeat. Without the later.
Coconut oil is your next step. It’s usually a hard chunky mess so you have to put it in a bucket of warm water for a little bit to warm it up. Douse the tail in the oil and the wrap it up in Saran wrap for 30-45 minutes. Now is a good time to clean your tack or do another horse if you have one. Maybe watch a lesson. Take a nap. You do you.
Once the timer has gone off, take your horse back to the wash rack (he won’t be happy, but he’ll get over himself). Again, completely rinse off the coconut oil. Make sure you get everything out.
Now is when I’m going to product push. Equus Premier Cream Rinse. It is your best friend. Depending on how much tail your horse already has you don’t really need that much. Maybe about the size of a quarter (sorry non-americans, I don’t know how much that is. An inch? Oh wait) in the palm of your hand and run it entirely through the tail hairs. Then a little more in the dock. This stuff also works amazing on spur rubs or anywhere else your horse may be missing hair. THIS STAYS IN. DO NOT RINSE OUT.
You can choose to use a spray in conditioner now as well. I highly recommend Canter Mane and Tail (you know the one. The one with with the pink label). I’ve heard from people that it also helps grow the hair and doesn’t leave things super slippery despite being silicone based.
NOW IS VERY IMPORTANT. LISTEN TO ME. ARE YOU LISTENING?! PUT YOUR HORSES TAIL IN A TAIL BAG. Make sure you put the tail bag starting AT LEAST one full hands length below the dock or you could actually cause everything that’s already there to break off and do damage to the dock itself. BUT THE TAIL BAG IS YOUR FRIEND.
Now don’t touch it. Leave it alone. NOPE. I see you. Take it out and do this process AT MOST once a week. Every other would be better. If you have a horse that rubs the top of the tail you can still treat that, but don’t brush it. I recommend Equus Microtek spray and your fingers to really get it in there.
WHEN YOU TAKE THE TAILBAG OFF MAKE SURE YOU SPRAY A CONDITIONER/DETANGLER BEFORE YOU TAKE A BRUSH TO THE TAIL. Never ever ever ever touch your horses tail ever again without some sort of spray in it. Ever.
There you have it. How to grow a tail in less than 10 steps.
