Barn Basics: Tail Bags

There’s something aesthetically appealing about a horse with a long, thick tail. But unless your horse is genetically blessed with such an attribute you have to work to achieve that look. Brushing a tail is one of the worst things you can do to encourage growth. Regardless of how careful you are, you’re still pulling out a few hairs with each grooming session. Instead, try a tail bag. Though they were once an accessory only for western performance horses, English riders have realized the benefits of bagging up a tail. Many hunters, jumpers and dressage horses now sport tail bags on their days off from the show ring.

Successfully bagging a tail takes a little bit of practice. Begin by purchasing a style of tail bag that works best for you and your horse. Some are easier to handle than others. For example, while a Velcro tab works quickly to secure the bag it can also snag the hair. That’s why we chose a stretchy Lycra bag with fabric ties for the photos here. Next, the actual “bag” portion should be just long enough to hold your horse’s braided tail. Too long and your horse may end up stepping on the bag and pulling it off. Finally, shampoo and condition your horse’s tail. Once it’s dry, carefully brush it one more time. Then you’re ready to start.

1. Divide the hair evenly into three sections and braid it into a snug pigtail. It’s important that you start your braid right where the tail bone ends. Otherwise the braid will be too loose and in just a short time the bag will slip down and off.

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2. Extend your braid to the end of the tail, leaving only about one inch of unbraided hair. Ideally you should secure the braid with a covered elastic ponytail holder, like those used on human hair, but you can also use little elastics for braiding or banding. Use two or three, though, as one will not hold the braid for long. When you’re finished, snake the completed braid all the way to the bottom of the bag.

3. Now comes the tricky part: tying the bag onto the tail. Take one of the bag’s tabs and gently feed it through an opening between two sections of the braid. Pull it right up to the base of the tail bone.

4. Next, wrap the other fabric tab around the top of the braid, making sure that you are not squeezing the actual tail bone. That can be irritating to the horse, and he’ll begin to rub, which is contradictory to your goals. Tie the tabs together using a simple bow, just like tying a shoelace. Or you can create a half-hitch knot, similar to half of a bow, which will also make the bag secure yet easy to un-do.

5. A tail bag that is properly attached should stay in place for up to a week or more at a time. As long as it’s secure, and the braid is not beginning to snarl at the top, leave it in place. When necessary, untie the bag’s knot, unbraid the tail, pick through it a few times with your fingers to coerce any stray hairs into compliance, and reinstall the bag. You’ll begin to notice that the braiding process alone helps your horse’s tail appear fuller and thicker. But over time the bag will act as a barrier against the environment, and deter you from repetitive tail brushing. Then your horse’s tail will be gloriously long and thick for real.

Read on how to bang a horse’s tail >>

16 years ago

Cindy Hale

Cindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Hunters and hunt seat equitation came next, and she spent decades competing in those divisions on the West Coast. Always seeking to improve her horsemanship, she rode in clinics conducted by world-class riders like George Morris, Kathy Kusner and Anne Kursinski. During that time, her family began raising Thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses, and Cindy experienced the thrills and challenges of training and showing the homebred greenies. Now retired from active competition, she’s a popular judge at local and county-rated open and hunter/jumper shows. She rides recreationally both English and western. Her Paint gelding, Wally, lives at home with her and her non-horsey husband, Ron.

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View Comments

jess says:
December 25, 2008 at 12:08 pm
good article
Kaitlynn says:
December 26, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I have ridden hunters for years and I never thought I'd see the day when our horses would wear tail bags. But they do! Good article with neat photos.
Galadriel says:
December 26, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I'm fortunate that my horse's tail is so thick that brushing out the dead hair actually makes it look better. I don't really see how the bag helps make the tail fuller. Braiding is really what's doing that but at least the bag keeps the tail clean.
Anna says:
December 27, 2008 at 6:29 am
Great tips with nice photos!
jennifer says:
December 27, 2008 at 5:32 pm
great tips! thanks
cc says:
December 27, 2008 at 5:58 pm
neat article
Sandy says:
December 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Sounds like great advice, can't wait to try it and have his tail more beautiful than ever by Spring!
Gesa says:
December 28, 2008 at 1:48 am
Cool idea!
Sarah says:
December 28, 2008 at 6:08 am
Thanks this really helps! I just got a tail bag for Christmas and i can't wait to use it:)
Cindi says:
December 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Another thing we use to help with grooming and not pulling the tail, leave in hair condiditioner and/or satin sheen. Both help keep the tail smooth and easy to manage/less pulling out/loosing of hair.