Horse bolting possibly from sensitive tail

[Emma& hugo]

I am hoping someone may be able to offer some advice. My friend ( who does not have the Internet) has a 5 year old 15 hh tb x. She's a lovely horse they mainly do hacking and she is not spooky or silly but it is becoming apparent she is very sensitive about her tail, if even a few strands snag on a bush or fence while out hacking she panics, shooting forward. Today the same happened, she snagged part of her tail on a bramble bush and bolted, her rider came off hurting herself and the horse galloped off leaving the other horse they were hacking out with and in a blind panic at a gallop took off, luckily a member of the public caught her without incident. Has anyone experienced anything similar of have any suggestions how to desensitise her of this issue??? Any help appreciated. Thank you.

 

[classicalfan]

How about plaiting it up completely so there are no stray strands, you could even loop it back up so she can't swish it in to anything either. It would be quicker than trying to desensitise her and maybe all the fiddling about with her tail will help.

 

[Bug2007]

^^^^^^^
As above plait and roll up as if you were going hunting. Just watch she doesn't scare herself by bashing her own bum with the heavy plait.

Desensitising would be the best idea.

Good luck with it.