How to Grow a Horses Mane and Tail Long

A long mane requires a little maintenance.

Horses spend a majority of their time outdoors and, in some cases, out in the elements. They're constantly swatting their tails to combat flies or rambunctiously playing with their herd-mates. Growing a horse's mane and tail can be a long and painstaking process, but with a few tips and some extra attention to detail, your horse can have lustrous locks.

Things You'll Need

• Leave-in conditioning spray
• Small rubber bands
• Tail bag or tail wrap

Instructions

1. Spray the mane with a leave-in conditioner. Work the conditioner through the horse's mane gently with your fingers, being careful to not break any hair. Brushing the mane with a traditional brush will weaken and possibly break the hair.

2. Divide the horse's mane into small sections, about 1 to 2 inches wide each.

3. Braid each section of mane, securing the bottom of the braid with a small rubber band. Braid through the entire mane.

4. Spray the conditioner in your horse's tail, and work it through with your fingers.

5. 

   Groom the tail carefully to avoid breaking the hair.

   Tuck the tail into a tail bag or braid it into a tail wrap.

6. Unbraid the mane, condition and re-braid every 1 to 2 weeks. Condition and re-wrap the tail once a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Your horse may not enjoy having a tail bag or wrap on if it is swatting flies away. Consider putting a fly sheet and fly leg wraps on your horse to keep the bugs at bay and keep it comfortable.

References

• "Grooming to Win: How to Groom, Trim, Braid and Prepare Your Horse for Show"; Susan E. Harris; 2008
• "Professional Care of the Racehorse: A Guide to Grooming, Feeding and Handling the Equine Athlete"; T.A. Landers; 2006